Take a Tour of Alison Victoria's Beautiful Kitchen In Chicago

Alison Victoria has designed 172 kitchens, so she knows a thing or two. Her latest reno (her own!), featured in HGTV Magazine, is loaded with cool stuff and creative ideas.

Choose a random standout piece. It'll steer your design. Alison doubled up: a BlueStar range in white and brass hood she designed.

Photo by: David Tsay

David Tsay

Choose a random standout piece. It'll steer your design. Alison doubled up: a BlueStar range in white and brass hood she designed.

Related To:

Every Chicago home Alison Victoria revives on her show Windy City Rehab gets serious attention, including this one. The project involved knocking down the original house and starting from scratch. But about 10 months into the build of the new 4,500-square-foot place, she decided she didn’t want to sell it—she wanted to move in.

“I had been incorporating more and more of my favorite vintage finds, and then I couldn’t walk away from them,” says Alison. Those finds include several pieces of architectural salvage and sconces she scored at a Paris flea market that now hang above the banquette in the kitchen, the room that really stole her heart. As she says, “It’s filled with design moves that I know make me happy, from years of experience—and they work.”

Banquette

Photo by: David Tsay

David Tsay

You can’t go wrong with a banquette. “They maximize seating, which is key in smaller spaces,” says Alison. The cushions are covered in durable distressed faux leather.

Kitchen

Photo by: David Tsay

David Tsay

Flooring

Keep the flow going with flooring. “Having all the same kind on the first floor helps a kitchen feel like part of the living space,” says Alison.

Barstools

Make sure your barstools are comfy.“I do a lot of work in my kitchen, so I need stools with back support that swivel,” says Alison. These, from Baker Furniture, check both boxes.

Backsplash

Hide your outlets. For the most seamless backsplash, have an electrician install a strip for plugs beneath the upper cabinets.

Pendants

Go for pendants with a view. Glass ones, like these by Circa Lighting, don’t obstruct the line of sight to the showpiece hood.

Details

Photo by: David Tsay

David Tsay

Countertops

Love marble, love its imperfections. Alison considers the inevitable stains and etching part of the patina, and worth it for the pretty veining. As well, consider counter tricks.

And that’s not really a thick slab of marble on the island. It’s a countertop with mitered edges, a smart way to fake the look that involves joining together thinner pieces of stone. The waterfall edges on either side make it look even more luxe.

Ceiling

Architectural details are always a good thing. The coffered ceiling in the living room creates drama. Another way to add something extra: installing decorative beams.

Storage

Under-counter wine storage comes in handy. “It keeps your main fridge from getting too crowded, you can set it to the perfect temp, and it helps with resale value,” says Alison.

Nook

Photo by: David Tsay

David Tsay

Coffee Bar

Balance pristine cabinets with a touch of roughness. The coffee bar counter is a salvaged piece of 200-year-old walnut—it even has a lead bullet from a musket in it.

Arch

Where there’s no history, bring it in. Alison framed the nook with an arch and antique corbels, which date back to the early 1900s, so the new build feels like it’s been around forever.

Next Up

Inside Making a Magazine With Jasmine Roth

It's no surprise Jasmine Roth is the first HGTV star to guest-edit HGTV Magazine. Here's a behind-the-scenes look at what it took to put together the special October issue.

An Outdoor Kitchen Dream Come True

In this Austin, TX, house, the main ingredient is the Latin American-inspired cookspace that opens to the backyard.

Step Inside a Cali-Cool Kitchen with the Most Stunning Island

Everything in this California kitchen centers around the luxe marble island.

This is the One Kitchen Trend Chelsea DeBoer Stays Away From

The Down Home Fab co-host reveals her favorite ways to add color to a neutral kitchen design, and her tips are super easy.

Tour a Kitchen With an Eclectic Mix of Styles

The recipe for this San Marcos, TX, kitchen: farmhouse charm, retro kitsch and a fun modern twist.

A Midcentury Modern Kitchen Built for Baking

A Minnesota bread baker and his family made the kitchen of their dreams — from scratch.

Tour an Artist's Inspiring Blue-and-White Kitchen

All is cheery and bright in an illustrator’s Tampa kitchen. It's a work of art!

Tour a Sleek Kitchen With Room to Entertain

A reno got a Washington, DC, exec into her kitchen again. Now she's cooking!

This Backyard Was Transformed Into a Tropical Oasis

Living in Minneapolis didn’t stop this couple from channeling their Southern California roots into a super-lush backyard.

This Kitchen Has the Most Unique Floor

We're seeing a pattern! An eye-catching painted floor is the star of this Glen Ridge, NJ, kitchen.

Go Shopping

Get product recommendations from HGTV editors, plus can’t-miss sales and deals.

Follow Us Everywhere

Join the party! Don't miss HGTV in your favorite social media feeds.