KITCHEN BEAUTIFUL | Realtor Penny O'Brien Shares Her New Kitchen and the Value of Kitchen Renovation

AFTER 4 WEEKS OF RENOVATING, PENNY O'BRIEN'S NEW KITCHEN IS COMPLETE & IT'S BEAUTIFUL

NAPERVILLE–As a top performing Realtor with Baird & Warner in Naperville, Penny is proud to call the city her home for the past 23 years. Using her professional expertise for the marketplace, she knows the value of home improvements, especially a kitchen renovation.

Home design changes faster than ever now because of HGTV,” Penny shares. “If I had done this kitchen two or three years earlier, it would look completely different. I slowly confirmed every change I wanted to make with the best return on investment (ROI) for future resale.”

Penny chose to keep the original cabinetry around the circumference but removed the original island and back cabinetry by the refrigerator. The new custom island is 22 inches longer and 15 inches farther from the sink, allowing ample walk-around space. A new stainless steel workstation sink includes a cutting board & draining rack. Adding custom cabinetry to create a coffee bar provided added elements of convenience and storage. The newly installed LED can lights and under cabinet lighting were by far the most unexpected improvement, beyond the personal details that make her kitchen home.

“I feel the whimsical backsplash, burnished gold light fixtures and hardware, as well as the Van Duesen Blue island were what made the kitchen a reflection of me,” Penny adds. “These personal touches keep the kitchen from appearing too sterile and like everyone else's.”

A five burner Bosch cooktop, Sharp drawer microwave, Elica Range Hood, and quartz countertops round out the finishing touches of a four-week renovation project that now provides a peaceful, quiet, refreshing space filled with bright sunshine each morning! –Kristen Kucharski, Photos by Ruta Drulia for Glancer Magazine

For more photos of Penny’s Kitchen visit www.glancermagazine.com/home-design