Evie and Jack, Evanston IL
Amalfi Coast
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Location: Evanston, IL
Interior Designer: Kyle Quintero of Quintero Design
Design theme: Amalfi Coast, from the Deborah James Coastal Collection
Date completed: 2006
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| Deborah also designed this distinctive window as part of the overall kitchen design theme. |
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Background:
Deborah had already designed for two of Evie and Jack’s previous residences (in Boston and Chicago). The client asked Deborah to redesign their kitchen after an unsuccessful cosmetic remodeling. Evie has eclectic tastes and wanted to reflect these in her new kitchen design, while also retaining functionality. An example is a non-functional Victorian fireplace. Evie runs an antique business called Swell Stuff Vintage Clothing and Linens and her own collection includes a lot of fine linen and picture-frames, among a several pieces of fine bric-a-brac (including a delightful antique cast-iron cooking stove which is on display in her breakfast room).
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| The Butler's Pantry: also designed by Deborah and an "additional prerequisite" at Evie and Jack's home alongside their 'Amalfi Coast' themed kitchen design. |
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| Design challenges:The kitchen had already been remodeled and the client realized it just wasn’t right. A major expense had been the wall where the refrigerator is, which had been recessed and had to be retained. In the new design, the appliances were left where they were and new pantries, made to look like structural columns, were installed.The design had to work around existing tiling and the hood had to be re-detailed. The Victorian fireplace was incorporated within and the new design needed to balance with it to create visual space and symmetry. The table was an existing element and was refinished using matching marble.The window of the sink area was designed by Deborah after the client had seen a similar window in one of Deborah’s previous projects and “wanted it”; Deborah also designed the Butler’s Pantry, which people comment upon as much as the kitchen.
The design was augmented by Kyle Quintero of Quintero Design.
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Clients' eye view: "We've worked with Debi Oertle for 25 years, and in those 25 years, Debi has designed for us - in chronological order - a library, a kitchen, a library, a library, a kitchen, a butler's pantry, a bathroom, and a bathroom. With each ensuing project, we grew more impressed. Debi is acutely accurate, keenly observant, honestly customer-oriented, and endlessly inventive. In three libraries, two kitchens, two bathrooms, and a show-stopping butler's pantry, we had yet to present a problem that Debi couldn't solve and solve brilliantly; far exceeding our expectations as two not-so-easily-pleased clients. We recommend Deborah James Coastal Kitchens wholeheartedly and without hesitation."
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