In their longtime Chicago apartment, Greg and Maggie’s kitchen had always been a place of comfort. For years, neither had paid much attention to passing design trends. But as Greg reflects, “sooner or later, the soul asks for change.”

As they browsed through endless styles and interiors online, they found themselves drawn to designs that felt fresh yet understated. "We were looking for something simple," Greg says, "but still new."

Maggie, captivated by the calm minimalism of Japandi style, saw an opportunity to bring a sense of balance into their space. Their apartment already had a raw, industrial edge, and instead of fighting it, they decided to embrace it. With the help of Corner, they created a kitchen that feels both grounded and reflective of their evolving lives.

The main focus of the renovation was updating the kitchen cabinets. The simple original fronts were replaced with Japandi-style fronts made of natural wood veneer. The light oak finish, with its soft golden tones, perfectly highlights the organic character of the wood and brings a sense of warmth to the Japandi kitchen design.

"That's what drew Maggie to the style," Greg said. "It's so atmospheric, so true to the aesthetics of real Japanese wood. Every time I see it in new kitchen cabinets, I know we made the right choice."

The wooden Japandi fronts stand out beautifully against the built-in appliances' metallic surfaces and the upper cabinets' fluted detailing. Combined with the clean, minimalist lines typical of Japandi kitchens, the result is a harmonious blend of the natural warmth of wood and the elegant modernity of everyday life.

Staying true to the apartment’s original industrial spirit, it was important to keep the kitchen fully functional. A large number of appliances are seamlessly integrated into the wall-mounted pantry. Along with a refrigerator featuring stainless steel doors and a built-in oven, the design also includes a coffee machine, perfect for preparing an energizing drink at any time of day.

Elsewhere, a gas cooktop is built into the countertop, with a riveted extractor hood installed above it. The space is further brightened by under-cabinet lighting from the neighboring cabinets, adding both practicality and warmth to the design.

The functionality of the kitchen continues in the Japandi kitchen cabinetry, where smart storage solutions meet minimalist aesthetics.

Blum pull-out systems enhance the cabinets of this Japandi kitchen, offering spacious drawers that maximize storage and functionality. Müller pull-out waste bins complete the design, helping to keep the kitchen clean and organized. To make full use of every inch of space, the kitchen features a Vibo Fly Moon corner pull-out, transforming a hard-to-reach area into practical storage.

“With these functional additions, the new kitchen feels like a complete system,” says Maggie. “When I first read about kitchens being designed for convenience, it was hard to imagine. Now I can see it in action.”

Along with the functional Japandi cabinets, the upper cabinets with fluted glass fronts bring beauty and lightness to the design. They soften the overall look of the kitchen, balancing its practical character with a touch of sophistication.

The new Japandi kitchen features layered lighting that enhances both comfort and brightness, allowing the natural beauty of the materials to shine. Recessed lights, pendant lights, and under-cabinet lighting work together to ensure the work areas are always well-lit.

"I just love how the whole kitchen feels lit up," Maggie said. "You can see everything right away. It makes cooking and even just being here so much nicer."

The sense of lightness is also reinforced by the materials themselves. Pale countertops and light-toned cabinets reflect the natural light, making each day in the space feel even brighter and more uplifting.

For Greg and Maggie, the goal of the new Japandi kitchen was to keep the space modern while refreshing it with natural materials and graceful details. The result of the Corner team's work is a Japandi kitchen design where functionality takes the lead, balanced beautifully with an elegant, timeless look.

"The kitchen feels familiar, but it's completely new," Greg said with a smile. Maggie laughed, adding that it might take them a little time to get used to all the new design features.

The best moment came when the couple, grinning with excitement, rushed to try out the new coffee maker. In the bright light, surrounded by the warm golden tones of the wood and the sleek silver of the appliances, even the coffee seemed to taste better.