From Frumpy to Fabulous

The original layout of this home consisted of small, boxy rooms.  We opened up almost all the walls on the main floor to create a more modern & airy feel.  The homeowner is a single mom with two busy boys.  We were looking to create a more modern feel but nothing too precocious. The back of the main level became an open concept kitchen/dining area.  She needed a clean lined, hard-wearing kitchen with multi-purpose functionality.  It had to transition from bakery, to chemistry lab to office in the blink of an eye.  The fresh white colour palette will keep the space from looking dated and a live edge wood slab was used to keep it from looking too clinical.  A built-in banquette with upholstered cushions makes for a comfy eating and lounging area for playdates or Mom’s Night Ins.

Decorating is an addiction!

Decorating is an addiction!  That being said, Emma has chosen classic pieces which remain put year after year, but changes the feel of the spaces by swapping out the accessories. She also plays with combinations of old and new to create both a nod to the age of her home and her hip family.

Our client is an avid gardener, so this beautiful soft green paint from Farrow&Ball (called Vert de terre) really brought the feeling of outdoors in. Vintage milk glass pendants help distract from the unavoidable bulkhead. The gentle curve of the butcher block counter add some extra softness to the island.

White is NOT boring!

Taking out a wall makes such a big difference for small spaces.  It’s probably the reason why it is one of the most common renovating choices.  In this case, the tiny box of a kitchen was opened up into the adjoining dining room.  This move made both spaces much more functional, bright & inviting. The modern feel of this space with glossy white, flat panelled cabinets is warmed up with custom shelving & warm wood details. Since the kitchen is small on space, it’s packed with storage options.  This allow for every day kitchen items to be close at hand and special occasion items to be stored higher up.  The cabinets are hinged horizontally to open like garage doors, to allow for easy access to the higher ones. Hood fans can often overwhelm small kitchens as they tend to be dark and large. We built a custom hood fan exclosure to disguise it and make it match the cabinets.

Suburban facelift!

This suburban kitchen was taken from drab to fab with a makeover that removed a dividing wall, added a punch of colour in the cabinetry and luxurious feel with quartz.  The space was a bit too wide for a classic galley style kitchen but too narrow for a fixed island.  The solution was a peninsula for added seating and counter space and a custom moveable island that can be tucked into the corner when not in use.  The colour combination of white, blue, brass & warm wood tones give the space a contemporary feel.

This kitchen is not singing the Blues!

With a super open concept space such as this heritage home’s main floor- there is nowhere to hide.  Every element of this kitchen is on display all the time.  With no space to be dull and a client who was game for something fun, we used Farrow & Ball’s  Inchyra Blue paint on the cabinets and topped them with luscious walnut counters.  The custom cabinets by Benchdog Cabinetry (www.benchdogottawa.com) make use of every square inch of space. An awkward ceiling height change was disguised with a reclaimed beam and tied into the kitchen by cladding the range hood in similar wood. The warm tones of the wood are picked up with the brass hardware and lights.  The area for backsplash tile was large, so to keep it from looking clinical, we choose a handmade, long subway tile which has subtle texture.  Open shelves keep day to day items handy while preventing the space from feeling claustrophobic with too many upper cabinets.

A breath of fresh air!

Here is another great example of the transformation that can come from knocking down a wall!  A tiny, cramped kitchen was reinvented into an open airy space by removing the wall joining the kitchen and dining room.  This allowed for the expansion of counter surfaces, introduction of an island and improved flow for the whole main floor. While not huge on space, the white & blue colour scheme make this kitchen feel like it has lots of breathing room.  Blonde woods and brass accents warm up the cool cabinet tones and add an organic feel to the space. In small spaces, smart use of built in can make a huge difference.  They reduce the number of small pieces of furniture required for daily stuff and keep clutter contained.  In this space, a floor to ceiling unit in the living room houses the TV, radio, books & decor on open shelves and hides craft supplies, cables and other necessities behind doors.  Dressing it up with wallpaper at the back makes it feel like it belongs in a living room and coordinating the hardware with that of the kitchen ties the two areas together.  A slim cabinet by the front door holds all those things that we are constantly misplacing: keys, phones, Presto passes.  When paired with a USB charging outlet and a mirror, it’s a very efficient little command centre for daily life.