Stylish Great Room Redo

The design of this Chicago home's existing great room didn't suit the taste of the owners and lacked much needed soul and style.

Designer Michael Abrams shares how he redesigned the room to give it a chic new look.

What was the main issue that you addressed in this remodel?

The kitchen and family room needed something to tie them together and make them more cohesive.

We achieved this by creating a light bridge above the cabinets and extending it into the family room. This provided ambient light and brightened the space.

Did you run into any obstacles during this project?

Since the dining room had no windows, the addition of an extra-large mirror made the room appear larger and provided needed brightness. It took five men and some maneuvering to get it in there, but it was well worth the effort.

What were the "hidden gems" that made the difference in this design?

The light bridge from the cabinets into the living room unified the spaces. Replacing black granite on the island countertops with a medium gray solid surface extending down the sides of the cabinets refreshed the look for a modest price.