Kitchen Overhaul - Transforming a Builder Basic Kitchen!
Living in the Toronto GTA, especially in the suburbs every home can look like the one next door. Often, the suburbs are known for their cookie cutter homes – and the inside of these homes aren’t very unique or creative either. So, you are often stuck with the builder basic finishes – with the hopes of upgrading in the future.
A recent client decided it was time to upgrade and our team at The Olve Design Studio couldn't wait to get started. The home was built in 2010 and we knew right away that the house had a great layout and the potential to be so much more, especially in the kitchen.
We took on this full house renovation we quickly realized that the kitchen lacked space, storage, lighting, prep area, functionally … the list went on and on. The kitchen was also closed off with a pillar that was outdated with a zigzag wall that limited the functionality of the space.
First, we opened the space up by breaking down the walls that separated the hallway and living area. We also removed the bulkhead to gain more in ceiling height.
For the layout we removed the peninsula kitchen and added cabinetry all along the walls and then we were able to include a large island for food prep as well as a place to eat and entertain (as they say, it always ends up being a kitchen party).
We created a focal point in the kitchen with a custom-made hood range that featured a touch of gold. And since we opted for no upper cabinets, we were able to carry the herringbone backsplash up to the ceiling, which creates that wow factor for anyone entering the room. We flanked the hood range with beautiful yet simple brass sconces from Restoration hardware – adding that extra flair.
On one side of the space, we added floor to ceiling cabinetry to provide optimal storage space to hide appliances. In addition to beauty, functionality is a must.
By selecting a full quartz slab, we created a seamless top to the island and the light veining throughout the stone mimics marble and adds a touch of warmth that compliments the brass hardware and fixtures in the space. We love working with quartz – the patterns available have come a long way and in addition to being gorgeous, they are super easy to maintain (which is a plus with families with kids and lots of guests).
Our clients also wanted to add a bit of glam but instead of light pendants they chose one simple yet elegant linear chandelier which was also from Restoration Hardware.
Lastly the Coffee Nook (everyone needs a coffee nook). Since there was a window that cut off the kitchen cabinetry, we decided to utilize that specific corner to create the coffee nook. We chose black to complement the island and added beautiful gold shelves to make it really stand out.
Overall, the design was all about high contrast and incorporating design elements that are dramatic and timeless.
Before:
After:
At the OLVE,we independently select and write about stuff we love and think you'll like too. We are not affiliated nor do we have an advertising partnerships with the brands we may feature.
