As a designer, I am constantly reimagining spaces. Of course, the spaces I live in each day are at the top of the list. When tackling our own kitchen remodel I wanted the space to reflect our personal style, and also work for the way we live.
Having lived in our home for three years before remodelling the main kitchen, we were able to get a good feel for how we wanted the space to function for us. Besides the dated aesthetic, the existing layout worked for our needs.
This is partially the reason why we waited three years to remodel - along with a growing business that operated our of our home, several client projects, and like most - budget constraints. Although we did make some minor changes (different counter stools, hello!) we left our kitchen mostly untouched while we updated the rest of our home.
The top of the priority list for functionality was swapping out the existing tall pantry built-in for a small locker system. Even with a small foot print, the back entry way of our home definitely see’s the most traffic. I knew that allocating our pantry storage to a less central area of the kitchen would allow us space for storage of shoes, bags and coats.
When it came to the finishes, I mostly had a solid idea of what I wanted. One thing I had a difficult time deciding on was hardware and lighting finishes. I love the look of mixed metals. They make a space more interesting and approachable. I decided that I would keep the hardware and lighting finishes cohesive through out the space, and chose an aged brass for a more feminine and classic feel.
Speaking of finishes, I went with a polished nickel bridge faucet and white cast iron sink. The polished nickel finish is both timeless and durable. Surprisingly, my husband’s one request when we started the remodel was a farmhouse sink. We both love the classic look and the large size makes it super functional.
One question I get asked frequently, when clients bring me in for remodels, is if I’ll consider the rest of the home when making finish selections. This is always a priority and I knew I didn’t want to introduce a new stain in this space. Keeping with the character of our home and the existing finishes, I chose a dark stained island and bench top. The perimeter kitchen cabinetry is BM Revere Pewter with white quartz countertops.
Along with adding hooks by the entry way, I also wanted to reconfigure our existing island. We needed not only an updated aesthetic, but also a durable and easy space for friends and family to gather. I ended up removing one base cabinet from the existing design and incorporated open shelving. This created enough space for three outdoor grade counter stools.
I also decided to update our appliances and went with a panel front fridge and dishwasher. I love the classic look of the panel, and again bringing in the durability factor these were on the top of my list. I chose a stainless range, which keeps the space looking timeless.
When it came to flooring I chose a budget friendly and durable grouted luxury vinyl tile. The budget savings ultimately when right back into the backsplash which is a hand-made clay tile. The install and labor of this material also takes a bit more attention than other tiles, but the timeless and organic feel that it brings to the space was worth it.
With an aesthetic that reflects our style and functionality that works for us, we absolutely love living in our new space!