Be it a new build or a renovation in an old home, the common theme in kitchen-space planning and design is to knock out walls in the quest for the ultimate open-plan “everything” space that creates a seamless transition between kitchen and family room areas (and often stretches the entire width of the house). When faced with the challenge of bringing urban designer chic to a suburban subdivision home, the mandate was to work within the confines of builder guidelines while making it appear that it was a completely custom creation.
If you expect one room to be all things to all the people in your household, you’ll want to invest a little extra time planning how to make the hub of the house reflect your sense of style (and your approach to living and entertaining). Before you tackle the layout of your kitchen, prep a file that outlines your must-haves, your needs, your wish list, and any style guidelines that might help facilitate decision making. Having a good understanding of goals (both financial and stylistic) before starting the job will help you make easier and faster decisions along the way.
Sure, white is known for being timelessly classic, bright, and cheery, but it can also read as slightly stark and clinical. If you find you spend mostly evening hours in your kitchen and want it to have a richer, more lounge-y feel, consider dressing your cabinets in a cool charcoal tone. With two distinctly smoky shades of grey, the vibe of this kitchen easily adapts from lunch counter to wine bar depending on the hour of day.
Proportion and scale is an important element in design, but not one that is easy to define or teach, so it’s generally reduced to a matter of personal taste based on whether things look “right” together. When you’ve got an island that’s over 10 feet in length, you’ll need to amp up the scale of your lighting fixtures so they become a balanced component of the overall visual statement. A pair of large lanterns with a patinated grey finish reinforces the cool tones in this kitchen while illuminating the island work surface.
The number of fixtures you choose to install above your island is up to you, based on the amount of light you want and the number and wattage of bulbs in each fixture. If you like vintage fixtures as much as I do, just remember that your odds of finding matching fixtures decrease with every additional one you seek. You might find a pair, but what are the chances of finding a set of 3 or 4? It can even be tricky to find multiple new fixtures in stock, so it might be wise to find your fixtures before you confirm quantities with your electrician.
If your home doesn’t have all the architectural detail you desire, just embellish. Mouldings and trim details are the hallmarks of a custom builder, yet can easily be added to any home to give it a more stately presence.
Subdivision homes are famous for skimping on architectural details, and windows are no exception. When the windows in this kitchen seemed a bit too short for my liking, I decided to trick the eye by having the Roman blinds made taller than the actual windows. When mounted just below the crown moulding, the blinds enhance the height of the windows.
There’s no need to avoid using fabric in your kitchen for fear of stains and spills. Simple wooden chairs can be far more welcoming when dressed with lofty seat and back cushions that make the kitchen table an inviting place to enjoy a leisurely lunch, a casual dinner, or to spread out with the weekend paper. As long as you prewash your fabrics to avoid shrinkage and make the covers removable with zipper closures, the residue of sticky fingers and messy eaters can be erased with a quick spin cycle.
The reality is that kitchen renovations aren’t cheap, but you’ll reap the rewards of doing it right both financially and experientially. Your kitchen reno will give you the most upside for your investment dollar, as it will boost the value of your home, and you’ll hopefully derive unlimited pleasure from all the wonderful meals you’ll create on your new range. When selecting appliances, buy the best quality you can afford, and you may soon find that your favourite restaurant doesn’t require a reservation.
Instead of opting for one or two heights on your island, why not have three? A raised bar with stools separates the chaos of the prep area from the view of the dining area and lounge, a large run of standard-height counter for the main island offers ample room for multiple chefs working together, while a low, table-height area provides the opportunity to create another distinct area when entertaining, perhaps for a bar or buffet.
