Inside Alison Victoria's Kitchen
On her show, Kitchen Crashers, host Alison Victoria dishes out loads of design advice. See how she brought it all home, as HGTV Magazine crashes a pro’s kitchen.
Personal Project
As the host of DIY Network’s Kitchen Crashers, Alison Victoria has seen her share of horrendous cooking spaces. But nothing quite compared with the one she found in the Chicago, IL, home she bought two years ago with her husband, Luke Harding, who owns an insurance agency. “Picture a mishmash of melamine cabinets, dated tile, and scratched-up butcher block,” says Alison. “It had zero personality.”
Photo By: Kim Cornelison
Designing Her Dream Kitchen
With a list of must-haves etched clearly in her mind—“I knew I wanted lots of storage, marble everywhere, and hints of gold”—Alison got to work overhauling her own kitchen just as she’s done for countless lucky homeowners on her show. Although she doesn’t cook much, Alison loves having people over, so she wanted the room to be a natural gathering space. The result suits her style to a T. “I can’t imagine ever being sick of this room!“
Photo By: Scott Dvorin
Island
A local company, Kitchen & Bath 4 You, custom-made the 11-foot-long work space, which has large drawers, bookshelves, and built-in microwave storage. The faux leather stools are from Zuo Modern Contemporary. Alison’s 13-year-old West Highland terrier, Wesley, knows how to use the end shelves to his advantage.
Photo By: Kim Cornelison
Countertops and Backsplash
White-and-gray marble on the island and along the perimeter satisfied Alison’s marble addiction. She had the counters finished with a “leathered” texture but may someday have them resurfaced to change up the look. Calacatta marble subway tiles (from Tile Outlet, in Chicago) have veining that matches the countertops. They’re installed in a staggered pattern and help the room feel sleek and pulled together.
Photo By: Kim Cornelison
Lighting
Alison found the 1960s-era diamond-shape pendants, which hang above the island, at a vintage store—and traded a designer coat for them! Made of acrylic and fishing wire, they totally fit with the room’s light, airy look.
Photo By: Kim Cornelison
Kitchen Table and Flooring
Sitting in the super-cushy linen wingback chairs “feels like you’re being hugged,” says Alison. The chairs and round reclaimed wood table are all from Arhaus, and the painting is by local artist Laura Beth Cartwright. When she bought the house, the kitchen floor was ceramic tile. “I hated it, especially the thick grout lines,” says Alison. She replaced the tile with dark-stained oak planks. “They’re incredibly durable—trust me, I have four dogs, so I know!”
Photo By: Kim Cornelison
Cabinets
Upper and lower Shaker-style cabinets (painted White Dove by Benjamin Moore) offer oodles of storage and won’t go out of style anytime soon. Alison jazzed them up with brass and mother-of-pearl knobs from Anthropologie. “To me, this hardware is as pretty as any bracelet or ring I would wear,” she says.
Photo By: Kim Cornelison
Owl Bookends
On her countertop, Alison uses bookends from Homegoods to keep pasta in place. “Growing up, some girls dream about their wedding,” says Alison. “I dreamed about my kitchen!”
Photo By: Kim Cornelison
Apothecary Jars
Even when she’s not hosting a party, she always leaves out apothecary jars full of candy. “My friends are in love with this idea,” she says.
Photo By: Kim Cornelison
Kitchen Collection
A walnut cutting board she made on the set of her show holds a collection of salt and pepper shakers.
Photo By: Kim Cornelison
Inside the Fridge
“I organize my fridge as if it were open shelving—all the pretty, colorful items, like fruit, go in front.”
Photo By: Kim Cornelison
Wine Nook
The cozy area off the kitchen is Alison’s (with 7-year-old Maltese, Kennedy) favorite spot. “It’s a little hideaway where I sit with my laptop and have coffee or a glass of wine.” The tufted velvet settee and printed pouf are both from West Elm. The console table, which has a white oak top, is from HomeGoods.
Photo By: Kim Cornelison