Before/After: A Master Class Kitchen
by Square Footage
The design intention: take advantage of this heritage home’s classic architecture.
Bring in additional natural light and reconfigure the space as a reflective of the clients wish list & lifestyle, while utilizing a combination of vintage and contemporary attitudes.
The original 1980 kitchen, although significant in size, was dark, dysfunctional and lacked focus. A dividing wall faced the main kitchen entrance, creating an un-necessary division of two rooms. The kitchen side was cramped with a small island, and the secondary space was undefined — the dividing wall blocking natural light from the backyard.
The design solution needed to reflect how the client intended to use the new space.
The design Solution
With a growing family and a love for entertaining, there were several priorities; ample seating for friends and family, a large island for gathering, drink station for self serve entertaining, a pantry to hide the clutter and relocate the two-piece bathroom. An existing two-piece bathroom lacked privacy and felt like an intrusion in the kitchen.
Before
The new design required significant reconstruction. More importantly, it needed to fulfill the clients wish list.
After
The Outcome
The design attitude “vintage and contemporary” can be witnessed in several elements. The contemporary attitude came in with black metal and glass shelves, a black sink and faucet, stainless steel drawer fronts flanking the cooktop, the appliances and the sleek minimal door style and extraction fan. The vintage attitude, starting with the iconic 1942 lighting by Danish architect Vilhelm Lauritzen, herringbone floor, armour- like tall storage at the drink station and the 120-year-old reclaimed beam framing the eating area. The hand forged gold hardware bridged the two elements.