IMS Design Series: The Entertaining Home, Volume 1

A Kitchen Designer Designs His Own Kitchen

My wife and I bought a small rambler in Edina two years ago in an attempt to get our children into the French immersion school. It worked, and we happily escort our kids across the street to their new school but in return we ended up with a pretty awful kitchen on our hands. We decided to remodel for three reasons; aesthetics, function and resale, oh yeah- and that is also what I do for a living. (I am co-owner of Belle Kitchen) And one more thing - in my second life I am a fabulously famous chef or at least I’d like to think so.

The kitchen was something right out of the 50’s, so the goal was to refresh the look and improve the storage and function since the space was small. Professional appliances were a must and we feel they have already paid for themselves in more ways than one – we feel we are better cooks (okay maybe I am kidding myself a bit) and therefore choose to stay in and entertain more than going out. Besides the drinks are cheaper. In the process of remodeling the kitchen we decided to expand the project and ended up doing the whole first floor – best decision we could have made! Now we have a brand new interior that fits our lifestyle and has sent me up a notch on the gourmet ladder. The thing that surprised me the most is that the design process was more difficult than I thought it would be. I am constantly seeking out and looking for the best in design and product – Perhaps this has left me a little overexposed. Needless to say for someone who has always thought of themselves as a very contemporary person, I am not sure my style can be defined so simply anymore.

Everyone knows that a kitchen is the safest place to invest in your house. I always thought that resale is important but after all we have only one life to live so why not do it for ourselves and enjoy life. If anyone is interested Belle kitchen is showing one of their latest projects at the next ASID Kitchen Tour Oct 10-11 maybe you will have the chance to meet Susan the owner who is passionate about cooking and is one of the nicest people I have met since I moved to Minnesota. For more info. www.bellekitchen.com under what’s new.

Enjoy the summer

Jean-Claude Desjardins

Owner / Designer | BelleKitchen