Home 5: 2710 Glenhurst Ave., St. Louis Park, MN 55416
ASID Designer Kitchen Tour April 22 – 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and April 23 – noon to 5 p.m.
Designer Nicole M. Sirek, Allied ASID • Partners 4, Design
When looking for a way to combine the perfect amount of glitz and glam in your kitchen, a sparkly tile backsplash, some fun, modern furniture, and a little hint of an unexpected color can do the trick. In this particular kitchen, on the ASID Designer Kitchen Tour April 22 and 23, designer Nicole Sirek of Partners 4, Design, located in Minneapolis’ International Market Square, worked with the homeowners to find just the right balance of design elements. The tile backsplash, with its “beautiful shimmer,” doesn’t overpower the rest of the kitchen space or layout, she says. The modern light fixtures over the blue center island and clean lines of the beautiful white cabinetry tied it all together. Nicole worked in collaboration with Billy Beson and Kyle Snyder of Billy Beson Co. for the “big picture” design, letting them take the lead on finish selections. (There was an overall color palette for the house, serving as the starting point for the cabinetry.) The kitchen redesign is just the right mix of modern and functional, with ample storage—a necessity for the family, who follows Kosher Jewish dietary laws and needed two prep areas for everything—high-tech appliances, and a glitzy, glamorous vibe.
Q&A with designer Nicole Sirek:
Where do you typically find design inspiration?
Sometime I find inspiration in a new product and trying to figure out how to apply it to a design. Other times it’s a combination of nature, art, and fashion.
How do you guide homeowners to help find their own design style when they aren’t really sure what their style is?
I ask a lot of questions about their likes and dislikes. Learning more about the home’s architecture can also be a big clue.
What is just ONE thing you would recommend a homeowner do to completely change the look of their kitchen without doing a complete revamp?
If they aren’t ready for a full redo, painting or staining the existing cabinetry can drastically change the space.
What’s one of your favorite trends right now?
“Barely-there” kitchens: clients that are choosing smaller appliances and not going wall-to-wall with cabinetry yet still getting optimal function by zoning the spaces. This is being done with all styles: Traditional, contemporary, and mid-century modern.
What would you tell someone who strongly dislikes their kitchen but is too intimidated to hire a professional to help?
Homeowners are generally busy enough with life, have someone help guide you. There are more decisions than you might realize … and more coordination. By getting professional help upfront, you can save time and money in the long run.
For more information about this project on the ASID Designer Kitchen Tour, visit midwesthome.com/events/2017-asid-designer-kitchen-tour/tour-kitchens/partners-4-design. For more information about Partners 4, Design, visit partners4design.com.
Tickets to the ASID Designer Kitchen Tour April 22 and 23 can be purchased for $15 in advance or $20 at the door ($10 for single home visits). Purchase tickets online here: midwesthome.com/events/2017-asid-designer-kitchen-tour/kitchen-tour-tickets/.
By Chrissy Sarinske
