Condo Kitchen Design Inspiration

White Kitchen Inspiration with Quartz Countertops, Wood Floors, Beveled Subway Tile Backsplash, Bridge Faucet in Chrome

Let’s talk condo shopping.

And compromising.

Because the condo we chose was not my first choice.

But I’m getting ahead of myself here.

Let’s back up and start with my big Chicago condo dream of lying in bed in a high rise building and looking out the window at the lights of the city all around me. Just twinkling away in the night sky.

Other perks could include a view of the lake. Or the river. And maybe an overhead view of the L trains shuttling Chicagoans along the tracks.

You know, harcore heart of Chicago city vibes.

Mike, however, did not share my dream. But being the loving husband he is, he gave it the old college try.

We toured some condos along the lake. And some closer to downtown. But they all seemed a bit cramped. And felt more rental than home.

You know what I mean?

Then I stumbled across a listing that seemed to good to be true. In the heart of downtown. Like downtown, downtown. Steps from Michigan Avenue’s “Magnificent Mile” downtown.

It seemed too good to be true from the pictures. And even more too good to be true in person. Turns out it was bank owned. Hence the too good to be true listing price.

But we took a swing and put in an offer. And after a little bidding war, they accepted our offer.

Gulp.

This is where we get to the compromise part of condo shopping. Because Mike wasn’t as enthusiastic about this property as I was.

Okay, Mike was not at all enthusiastic about this property.

And he had a number of valid points. Like the condo wasn’t outward facing so I didn’t get a skyline view. Or lake view. Or river view. Or L train view.

You get the idea.

Plus we would be in the heart of the business district, across the street from a major hospital’s emergency room entrance.

Mike pointed out it didn’t feel like a neighborhood. And I begrudgingly admitted he was right.

He was in fact right.

So after much hand-wringing, we turned it down. And I’ll be honest, I was sad. Very, very sad.

I had zero confidence we could find something as spectacular. And roomy. (If you want to take a peak a the place we turned down click here).

So we started the search again. And it was probably within a week of me being so very, very sad that we found our current place.

And I couldn’t be happier. It turned my frown upside down! 😉

One of the selling points was the kitchen. Now it’s not perfect as is …

It reads a bit yellow.

The floor tiles are going. As well as the countertop. And upon closer inspection, I’m pretty sure the backsplash tiles were painted over.

But the bones are good. The appliances are solid. As are the cabinets (with soft close drawers). And my favorite part? Hidden garbage and recycling! See that bottom cabinet in the center? Yeah, that’s where the hidden garbage and recycling magic happens. 😉

Now don’t get distracted by that amazing view out the window – a view that will never be obstructed because we’re next to the parking lot of the Temple across the street – but let me draw your attention to that wall on the right.

Yeah, that wall is going.

Because the opening to the kitchen is a small doorway with a swinging door.

You can get a better view from the other side (and a sneak peak at the dining room).

See how closed in the kitchen is? Yeah, that needs to change!

Now I’ll let you in on a little secret: The kitchen remodel is done. Complete. Finuto.

I’m taking pictures of it today and will share next week (along with sources and links).

And it’s spectacular, if I do say so myself. 🙂