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SJI PROJECT TOUR - OFFICE KITCHEN

Project Location: Lemont, IL

Timeline: January 2025 -August 2025


How do I even begin to talk about this project?


In many ways, it feels like a full-circle moment. My client first reached out in 2020 because he wanted to freshen up his office. What makes this project even more special is that 2020 was also the year I launched my business, and he became my very first official client. Fast forward to today, and they are still clients of mine and truly some of the best people to work with.


Back in 2020, we designed several areas of the office, and the kitchen was originally part of the plan. At the time, my client decided to prioritize other spaces first, which made perfect sense. We revisited the idea again in late 2024, but once again, other priorities came up. Finally, in 2025, it was time to focus on the kitchen. This design has truly been years in the making. And finally, it was time to bring the kitchen to life.


The Before


When we finally turned our attention to the kitchen, it was clear the space needed a complete gut. The layout lacked function, storage was limited, and the overall look felt disconnected from the rest of the office.


Over the years, we had refreshed several other areas, and this space simply had not caught up yet. It was not maximizing its potential, and it definitely did not reflect the updated energy of the office.




The Challenge


Of course, this was not just any office kitchen.


My clients are in the frozen food business, which meant the space needed to function as a hybrid commercial and corporate kitchen. It had to support everyday office use while also accommodating more commercial-level equipment and storage.


Their requirements included:

  • 2-compartment commercial sink

  • Regular Undercounter sink

  • commercial fridge + freezer

  • Dishwasher

  • Ice maker

  • Full-size fridge

  • Space for existing appliances like a water dispenser, toaster oven, and microwave

  • Ample cabinet storage


Simple, right?


Fitting all of this into a cohesive and well-designed space required careful planning. After a lot of brainstorming, measuring, and a few layout adjustments, we landed on a solution that checked every box.


Design & Mood


The goal was to make the kitchen feel like it had always been part of the office.


Since the overall office design had evolved over several phases, it was important that this space felt cohesive with everything around it. I looked at the bigger picture and made sure the kitchen connected visually with the rest of the environment.


Blue, a key color in the company’s logo, naturally became an anchor for the design. To balance it, I introduced warmth through LVP flooring and paired it with sleek stainless steel appliances. Slab panel cabinetry kept the look clean and modern while still feeling inviting.


Every detail was considered carefully, from the layout to the material selections, creating a space that feels polished, functional, and fully integrated with the office design.


Shown above: the mood board


Shown above: the 3D renderings


The Final Outcome


Today, the kitchen supports the team in ways the old space simply could not. It works for daily office needs while also accommodating the commercial elements required for their business.


Looking back, it feels fitting that a project that started with my very first client continues to evolve years later. Seeing the kitchen finally come together made the journey even more meaningful.





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