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28 | Kitchen & Bath Design News August 2014 By Kim Berndtson Project Case Study { Spotlight on creative, problem-solving kitchens and baths } O ftentimes it's easiest to design when there's a clean slate, such as what is provided by a com- pletely gutted space or with new construction. But those opportunities aren't always the options presented when a designer agrees to take on a kitchen or bath project. Such was the case with this kitchen in Algonquin, IL. The homeowners, who are empty nesters with two daughters in college, are the original owners of the home, which was built about 15 years ago. They wanted to update the kitchen within the same footprint and create a more functional gourmet island…all while utilizing several existing elements such as the original maple cabinets and black granite around the perimeter, as well as the recently refnished red oak foor. The couple started the project themselves, select- ing mosaic backsplash tile in varying shades of brown. They had it installed…then got stuck. "That's when they called me in to help," says Angie Gardeck, Allied ASID and owner of New Perspec- tive Design. She, along with de sig ner/employee Pa m Guido and Ian McPherson, the client's contractor, worked to pull the space together. "Working with existing elements is defnitely harder than working with a clean slate," she says. "There are challenges with a 'yesterday/ today' feeling…trying to inte- grate the new with the old so it doesn't look like only part of a space is updated." CREATE UNITY Gardeck started the process by assessing the existing ele- ments: perimeter countertops, refnished fooring, recently installed backsplash and perimeter cabinets – which were in great shape with a New Gourmet Island Unifes Kitchen Design Stepping into a project in progress, this Illinois designer integrates new elements with existing features to create an updated kitchen with maximized storage, enhanced functionality and a unifed look. "I always say there can only be one boss in a space and everything else plays a supporting role. In this kitchen, the backsplash is the boss." Angie Gardeck Photo: Marcel Page Photography GOURMET ISLAND Unifes the space with an espresso color that ties in with the dark perimeter granite and mosaic backsplash tile GLASS DOOR CABINETS Provide a modern look while ofering a place to display special items 'BOSSY' BACKSPLASH Serves as a starting point for the color palette