A Jewel Box Kitchen in Full Color
Where emerald lacquer, sculptural stone, and Italian craftsmanship redefine what a
kitchen can be.
Some kitchens are designed. Others are revealed.
This jewel-box kitchen in Chicago, designed by SuzAnn Kletzien, is a masterclass in bold interior design, where emerald lacquered cabinetry, graphic stone surfaces, and layered materials create a space that is both expressive and intentional. At the center of it all: an ILVE 40” Nostalgie Dual Fuel Range in Glossy Black with Brass Trim, seamlessly integrated into a kitchen that treats cooking as both ritual and performance.
This project isn’t about minimalism or restraint. It’s about confidence. Every finish, every contrast, every detail earns its place, resulting in a luxury kitchen that feels as curated as it is lived in.
A Study in Confident Contrast
Maximalism, when done well, doesn’t feel chaotic. It feels precise.
Here, saturated greens meet inky tones and geometric flooring in a composition that feels deliberate, not overwhelming. The patterned stone floors anchor the space, creating rhythm and movement, while the cabinetry establishes depth and richness.
Nothing fades into the background.
This is a kitchen designed to be experienced, not just seen.
Emerald Cabinetry as Architectural Foundation
The deep emerald lacquer cabinetry sets the tone for the entire space.
It’s bold, yes, but also grounding. Acting as both structure and statement, the cabinetry creates a cohesive envelope that allows other materials: stone, brass, glass, to play against it.
This is where SuzAnn Kletzien’s signature approach shines:
- Color used with intention
- Form balanced with detail
- Boldness refined through control
The result is a kitchen that feels tailored, not trendy.
Statement Stone That Moves Like Art
The island is more than a surface; it’s a focal point.
With dramatic veining that reads almost like brushstrokes, the stone introduces movement into the space. It contrasts the precision of the cabinetry and flooring, softening the geometry with something more organic.
This juxtaposition—structured vs. fluid—is what elevates the entire design.
It’s not just material selection. It’s composition.
The ILVE Range — Jewelry for the Kitchen
At the heart of the space sits the ILVE range.
Not as an afterthought, but as a defining element.
Framed by a custom hood and surrounded by rich materials, the range becomes part of the architecture. Its presence reinforces the idea that the kitchen isn’t just functional, it’s central.
Because the best kitchens don’t start with cabinets. They start with the range.
Handcrafted in Italy, ILVE ranges bring together precision performance and timeless design, making them as capable as they are beautiful.
Lighting, Hardware, and the Art of Detail
No detail here is accidental.
Murano-inspired pendants introduce softness and sculptural elegance, while brass hardware punctuates the space with warmth and contrast. Even the smallest elements – pulls, fixtures, finishes, feel curated.
This is what separates good design from great design:
Consistency.
Intentionality.
Restraint within boldness.
Designed to Be Felt
This kitchen doesn’t whisper.
It knows exactly what it is.
Unapologetically colorful.
Sharply tailored.
Deeply expressive.
And yet, composed.
SuzAnn Kletzien’s work proves that maximalism isn’t about excess. It’s about clarity of vision. When every element is considered, even the boldest spaces feel balanced.
About the Designer — SuzAnn Kletzien
The best kitchens are not just beautiful in photos. They support real life.
This Crystal Lake kitchen succeeds because it does both. It is aesthetically resolved, but it is also built for use. It is warm enough for everyday family life, polished enough for entertaining, and timeless enough to feel relevant for years to come.
The New Luxury Kitchen
Luxury today isn’t about neutrality.
It’s about identity.
Kitchens like this one signal a shift, away from safe, expected palettes and toward spaces that feel personal, expressive, and enduring.
Because the best kitchens don’t just look beautiful. They work beautifully.
And more importantly, they mean something.
