No two Chicago kitchen remodeling projects are alike, but one thing they have in common are the beautiful, furniture-like detail and trim that more modern kitchens lack. These artistic adornments are typically accomplished by embellishing standard wood accents.

Showcase a Traditional Chicago Kitchen Using Ornate Details

A simple example would be the selection of raised-panel cabinet doors rather than flat-panel options. Then, there are more stylized enhancements, such as the nine we've featured below.

Corbels. These are a type of decorative trim piece, used to adorn the underside of kitchen island overhangs, open shelving and the like. While they look like they're providing support - they're not. It's all about the looks...
Crown Inserts. Crown moulding comes in a variety of pattern, or detail, options. Some of the more ornate versions are egg and dart or dentil designs.
Posts or Legs. Again, while not necessary for support, decorative posts or legs can be added to the front-corner of any overhang for a furniture-like enhancement.
Feet. You can enhance those posts or legs further by including decorative "feet" to give visual appeal from the ground floor on up. Popular styles for traditional Chicago kitchen remodeling projects including Queen Ann, Bun, Tulip, etc. If you have an open floor plan, and dining room or other traditional furniture will be visible from your kitchen, matching the style of the post feet to existing pieces can be a nice way to provide style continuity between the two spaces.
Valance Options. Cabinet valances are similar to the textile versions ordered as window treatments, but they are made of wood or a composite, rather than fabric. They are used to trim the tops of sink areas, windows, the end-cabinet shelving and can also be used to frame a small kitchen office space.
Plinth Blocks. Plinth blocks are to base moulding and door trim what decorative feet are to posts or legs. They are details added to the juncture where the bottom of the trim around a door or entrance opening meets the base molding. They used to be true, load-bearing units but now they are (almost always) decorative.
Reeding or Fluting. These are opposite versions of the same trim accent. Reeding is a convex (meaning it sticks out) linear molding - often applied to posts or legs, running in a vertical direction. Fluting is the same type of accent, but in reverse. It uses linear, concave channels to create the decoration.
Onlays and Appliques. From wreaths and fleur de lis, to leaf scrolls and ornate rosettes, onlays and appliques are independently carved wood (or molded composite) accents that are adhered to another surface, like the edges of cabinet/island boxes or a valance.
Wood Hood. Modern homes have metal roofs, traditional homes have wood shingles. Modern stove tops have metal hoods, traditional kitchens may have wooden hood. Here's an example of a wood hood that also boasts beautiful appliques. Hoods offer and an additional way to add traditional, more ornate details to a Chicago kitchen remodeling project.