Anyone asking themselves what’s next in kitchen design can find it in this River Forest, Illinois home. Normandy Designer Jeremy Paris worked with a family with a vision to transform a basic kitchen into an expansive, welcoming space with a mix of crisp, tailored finishes.

An addition to the home enlarged the kitchen, taking it from suburban simplicity to English manor home. The extra space also allowed the family to add mudroom space and expand a second-floor bedroom. “The layout was set from the beginning. We slid the kitchen toward the back of the house by about six feet to create the walk-in pantry,” Jeremy says.

Even with extra space, the floorplan was tricky. Jeremy worked through challenges including the split-level stairs. The built-in television over the desk, for instance, looks beautiful, symmetrical, and stylish. There’s a bit of trompe l’oeil happening though. Jeremy explains, “At the top, you see what looks like full height cabinets, but they’re not. The top of the interior of the desk cabinet hides a soffit to accommodate the structural element.”

Jeremy’s plans maximize functionality. “We needed to fit four chairs and storage space for cookbooks into the island. Space was tight and we pushed every inch to make it all fit,” he says. In the end, everything does fit. The eat-in banquette, the black-framed windows with no casing, and the cabinets that store necessities while accommodating structural necessities. “Getting the cabinetry right was a critical element of this kitchen design. There was a great attention to detail to ensure that every inch of cabinet space had a purpose and would be maximized for functionality,” Jeremy explains.

Once every puzzle piece was in place, it was time for fixtures and finishes. The full height backsplash offers a clean look, which is enhanced by moving the outlets under the cabinets. The wood of those well-planned cabinets is coated in a custom stain. “We went through six color matches to get it just right,” Jeremy says.

This gorgeous oak is complemented by painted cabinetry at the island and desk. These dark accents tie in with the window frames, adding to the cohesive look of the room. Timeless hardware is thoughtfully sized to best complement the case work. Eclectic lighting and slipcovered chairs give this kitchen a collected look that is very appealing. “The tailored details are crisp, polished, and put together,” Jeremy declares.

If you’re looking to expand or renovate your kitchen, set up a time to talk to Jeremy about transforming your space into someplace you love living. Looking for inspiration? Click through our photo galleries. Prefer a daily dose of design? We share ideas, photography, and projects on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest. Follow along.