Chicagoland Showroom Focuses on ‘Little Things’

LEMONT, IL—Attention to detail is a critical factor when designing kitchens and baths. From maintaining the proper aesthetics to taking the right measurements to planning the finishing touches, the overall impressions of a room’s design are reflected through its details.

When planning the redesign of Lemont Kitchen & Bath’s showroom, owner Gary Lichlyter and lead designer Christopher Fleming used that same attention to detail that they take into every design project. The two collaborated on the redesign of the 1,300-sq.-ft. showroom, which is located on Stephen Street in the historic district of Lemont, IL, 35 miles outside of Chicago.

Tiffany Lichlyter, co-owner and business manager of the firm, highlights the location as one of the elements that sets Lemont apart: “The showroom is located in a building that is over 100 years old,” she says. “The redesign highlights this by accenting the expansive ceilings with large-scale displays, and we build on the character of our space through the use of wainscoting and other period moldings.”

The showroom hadn’t had a complete renovation since 1994. Over the years, the firm constructed, switched out and replaced several displays to keep up with the ever-changing styles. “After 19 years in the business, the level of design work we now do has changed so much from when we began,” says Lichlyter, “that we felt we needed to reflect that in our showroom. It’s our main selling tool, and if it doesn’t accurately reflect the type of work we do, then it isn’t really going to help.”

Comfort was the order of the day. “We tried very hard to make the space feel like a great, old restored home,” she adds.

Following a ribbon-cutting ceremony with members of the Lemont Chamber of Commerce and local government officials, the firm hosted an open house-style party to celebrate its newest achievement: a fully updated and redesigned showroom. In attendance were past and current clients, architects, interior designers, builders and tradespeople as well as family, friends and well-wishers. Lemont Kitchen & Bath used the reopening to not only thank its various clients, business partners and supporters, but also as a way to build new partnerships and professional relationships, inviting area designers, builders and contractors to attend and get a feel for the firm’s design sense.

Start By Listening

According to the staff at Lemont, the design process for them begins with really listening to the customer.
Each project is managed by a team of designers, and after getting to know the client’s lifestyles and preferences and having the client compile a wish list, the design process can begin.

“We’ve seen many changes in the industry over the 19 years we’ve been in business. Today’s clients are much more educated and usually have a very good idea of their wants and needs,” notes Lichlyter. “Our designs have become more detailed and, as our business has matured, our project type has become more refined to meet the needs of the evolving client.”

Although most of Lemont’s projects are completed within a 20-mile radius, the team has completed projects as far away as Oklahoma and New York and has a number of projects yearly in Chicago. The firm also works on a number of summer residences in Wisconsin and Michigan.

In addition to its kitchen and bath designs, Lemont has also designed many complete home projects, and specializes in a range of “other room” designs including entertainment rooms, laundry facilities, mud/spa rooms, libraries, wet bars and fireplace mantels.

“We’ve even designed bedroom furniture and armoires,” Lichlyter interjects.

The firm has taken on projects that required accessible design, and Lichlyter says Lemont’s design team keeps current on updates and developments in that area.

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