Magic happens in most kitchens. Special meals, get-togethers with friends and even in the mundane everyday hurly burly, the kitchen is where some of life’s most indelible moments can be conjured.
So, when the kitchen gets drab or worn and less inspirational, maybe it’s time for a redo.
Planned magic
A kitchen renovation is among the most popular undertakings for homeowners.It can be as simple as changing the taps and cabinet pulls, or it can be as elaborate and complicated as a full tear-down. It all depends on the needs and of course, the budget. Nonetheless, no matter the financial investment, there are two things homeowners should consider.
“One of my first questions for a client, is how long they plan to be in the home. It helps me understand what their long-term goals are for their renovation,” says Kim Charbonneau, owner and lead designer at Kim Joy Design (KJD).
“The second thing is how they plan to use their kitchen, how it works now and how it doesn’t,” she adds.
Careful considerations
In a recent KJD kitchen renovation, some magic occurred when out-dated design elements were transformed into a focal point. The homeowners wanted to keep the existing travertine tile flooring in the main floor and kitchen, but the previous colour scheme in the kitchen made the flooring look out of place. The goal was to work with the tile and create a cohesive design plan, so it would appear as if the floor colour was a conscious choice. The earthy grey tones in the tile were used as the kitchen cabinet colour, a simple picket tile for the backsplash and a bolder choice used in the countertop with a prominent vein to complement the pattern on the floor tile. To add drama and finish the design, large pendant lighting was selected for the island.
The entire project was within the client’s budget and cost $90,000.
Charbonneau says the biggest challenge was “scope creep,” a situation that arises when additional items need to be added on after the project has begun. “There were a few last-minute decisions that needed to be made quickly,” she explains. “The silver lining was that the clients ultimately got a more fully renovated space.”
Charbonneau says her best advice to homeowners thinking of renovating their kitchen is to consider adding things such as new paint, trim and doors up front. “Yes, they do cost money, but they are easy ways to make the entire home feel like it’s had a face lift.”
The best way to keep costs under control, is to have a completed design plan before getting the project priced by a contractor. “A designer can help to source cost-effective materials that are still beautiful. They are trained in product knowledge and know where to splurge and where to save. Another cost saving is to use the same footprint in the layout. For example, keeping the plumbing and electrical essentially in the same place helps keep costs down.”