September 14, 2018

Chicago’s River North Design District is known as a local interior design community available to both designers and consumers. Each year, the district partners with the River North Arts District galleries to pair artists with designers in an annual gallery walk.

Local designer Scott Dresner participated in this popular event last week by designing and building a kitchen in the middle of the district in one single day, while partnering with Chicago calligraffiti artist Tubs. KBB spoke with Dresner to find out more about this ambitious project.

KBB: What were your goals with this event?

Dresner: I wanted to be different and do something no one else has done. We want to get people aware of us (Dresner Design) and Stosa Cucine, one of the main cabinetry lines we offer. Beautiful design is for all – not just for the elite. By creating a kitchen in the middle of downtown Chicago on the sidewalk, anyone and everyone is able to experience an Italian kitchen without the intimidation of a showroom.

KBB: Describe your design for this kitchen.

Dresner: The island is designed with our newest line of wood – it’s light gray oak that looks like individual planks with smoked-glass doors. Laminate is making a comeback, and we are making it cool; we used a textured laminate top with an aluminum edge. The pantry is made out of recycled plastic bottles and houses a double oven and a 24-in. European refrigerator. Our artist painted the pantry.

KBB: Talk about your collaboration with TUBS. 

Dresner: I am a huge art lover and have collected pop art most of my life. Being part of the River North Design District’s Gallery Walk is exciting. We discovered TUBS through one of our clients and think what he is doing bridges the gap between fine art and graffiti with his signature calligraffiti. It’s such a unique style. He definitely pushes my comfort zone, so now I know how my clients feel! It’s good to step outside the box and push yourself to think differently. That is when true innovation happens.