Our clients were a lovely couple, recent empty nesters who wanted to update their 23-year-old kitchen and laundry room. The laundry room also operated as a mudroom, shoe and coat area, while the kitchen was poorly designed and lacked a “wow” factor. The goal was to upgrade the laundry room and include a dog bath for the couple’s two-year-old golden retriever, Brooklyn, and a spot to fold laundry and hang delicate garments. As for the kitchen, they wanted it to be beautiful, functional and chic.
A dysfunctional space
The kitchen dated from the original builder and although it was spacious, a large awkwardly angled island divided the kitchen in half, hampering the flow of the space. As well, the counter on the island was small, the kitchen lighting was outdated and not well-designed and a large window on one wall faced a neighbour’s window, so the shutters were constantly closed for privacy.
To increase functionality and give a boost to the overall aesthetic, the kitchen was completely gutted and reconfigured. For a modern classic look, a warm white paint (Benjamin Moore Steam AF-15) was used for the bulk of the millwork, and contrasted with a black-brown (Benjamin Moore Black Beauty 2128-10) finish on the base of the 10-ft. island, which became the main prep and eating area. Ceiling bulkheads were removed to allow full-height upper cabinets, the window was filled in and a coffee bar was added with floating shelves above the lower cabinets that extend across the entire wall space. This created a lot more storage and counter space, along with a beautiful custom glass-fronted cupboard to display decorative dishes. A bump-out that housed mechanical was strategically hidden inside the glass cabinet, originally taking approximately three feet of width in the bump-out, now allowing for a well-used space.
A wall of cabinetry houses an integrated fridge and a custom-designed pantry with warm walnut shelves to store baking appliances and pull-out baskets for produce. All appliances were integrated except for the focal piece of the kitchen, the La Cornue 36-in. induction range. A suede-finish quartz countertop and backsplash were used for a sleek and seamless look. Since the overall colour palette was black and white, warmth was added to the kitchen through undertones of the quartz countertop, walnut shelves and brass finishes in the lighting, counter stools and hardware, bringing a fresh, modern and timeless look to a once dated and dreary kitchen.
The laundry/mud room
A small multi-functional space located at the back of the house is used daily to enter from the garage or exit when walking the dog. Updates included removing a redundant closet and using that area for the new washer and dryer, along with upper cabinets and a countertop for folding clothes. A dog bath was designed beside the new sink, as well as a closet for seasonal storage. Opposite this, a small mudroom seating area was added, and to counter the bold look of the kitchen, light pink cabinetry with gold accents was used. The lighting fixture and backsplash reminiscent of the Art Deco era provided a final touch of glam.
Worth the wait
This project began with an initial design consultation in Sept. 2021. Because the pandemic was still a factor, there were delays receiving appliances, and the originally approved flooring was suddenly unavailable, so an option from a different supplier was found.
Most successful renovations have their share of challenges, and this project was no exception. Nonetheless, with patience and flexibility, solutions were found, with stunning results.