Kitchen of the Week: Budget-Friendly Boosts in Toronto
Blandness gets the boot as a Canadian kitchen receives a bold dose of color and custom cost-conscious storage
Not every kitchen upgrade has to have four zeros attached to it. This Canadian family wanted to dress up their bland kitchen but were working with a very limited budget. Designer Gillian Lazanik of Affecting Spaces helped them get a new look without spending a ton of money. Sticking with the existing appliances, making use of Ikea cabinetry and using dramatic colors resulted in a bold transformation. Now this Toronto couple and their two children have the space and storage to take full advantage of their stylish new kitchen.
Chalkboard paint dresses up a previously blank wall, while a large light fixture adds drama. The contrasting colors in the space keep the feel fresh and clean.
The parents work from the kitchen at different times during the day, so Lazanik incorporated a workspace that doesn't feel intrusive or awkward.
Floor tile: Olympia Tile; refrigerator: LG; clock, chairs: Ikea
The parents work from the kitchen at different times during the day, so Lazanik incorporated a workspace that doesn't feel intrusive or awkward.
Floor tile: Olympia Tile; refrigerator: LG; clock, chairs: Ikea
Office supplies fill the storage area next to the refrigerator. Extra-tall cupboards and customized Ikea cabinetry provide more kitchen storage near the cooking area. When it's not serving as an office, the desk becomes a countertop for eating.
Large drawers serve as lower cabinets, so the clients don't have to get on their hands and knees to reach the back of the storage space. A local carpenter customized the Ikea cabinetry, creating specialized storage such as this undersink recycling, trash and composting station.
Backsplash: Olympia Tile; countertops: Caesarstone, Espresso; undercabinet lighting: Ikea; stove: Crosley