Building A Flood-Proof Bar

Post-flood home restoration by DDS Design Services, Villa Park, (630) 530-8099, 
www.ddsdesignservices.com    

As beautiful as summer can be in Chicago, it can also have its share of severe storms. It was just last year when this North Shore multilevel contemporary home was unable to escape from Mother Nature’s fury. Two levels of the home sustained serious damage; the lower level was flooded, which destroyed the home’s bar and equipment, as well as several custom pieces. “When I got the call, I was asked if I would be willing to take on something unique,” says Jeff Kida from DDS Design Services in Villa Park. “I knew that this project would not only require a certain amount of engineering, but also an incredible amount of design flair. The homeowners wanted whatever we installed to be able to withstand another flood if necessary. They also wanted an updated look suitable for entertaining friends and celebrity clients occasionally.”

Kida and his team quickly got to work, proposing the installation of tile cladding over moisture-resistant panels with down lighting for the bar. “The homeowners are both successful designers in their own right,” adds Kida, who also worked alongside Laurens Restoration throughout the project. “When we were able to show them the new glass and stone tile patterns, they saw the possibilities and approved the work.” The space was finished off with a contemporary corner buffet with a round center section, and two wings with rounded doors at the ends. “I knew from the beginning this project had great possibilities,” Kida says. “We knew we had a real gem on our hands.”