A Functional and Stylish Kitchen for a 3-Generation Family
AFTER: For the new floor plan, the original dining room was taken over by the newly expanded kitchen and office nook. The powder room was also relocated in order to enlarge the former breakfast area. This new dining space can now seat up to 16 guests when an additional table is added. The open dining area now flows right into the family room.
In the new kitchen the stainless steel refrigerator and gas range share the same wall. Just to the left of the refrigerator is the new office nook. A 14-foot counter that houses the sink and dishwasher separates the kitchen and dining area.“One of the main challenges was to create a beautiful and functional kitchen without breaking the bank,” Lazanik says. Wood melamine was used for the lower cabinets and the taller cabinets surrounding the refrigerator. The upper cabinets are painted white to break up the look. The back wall was covered in a large format porcelain tile that measures 8” x 36” and the countertops are Urban Safari quartz by Caesarstone.
A conceptual drawing of the kitchen renovation was closely followed. The two-toned cabinets and L-shaped counter all made it into the final design. A notable exception is the small breakfast nook to the left of the refrigerator, which instead became an office nook (photo below) with built-in bench seating.
The office nook is within the footprint of the kitchen, but out of the way of the cooking and prepping areas. It turns out this is the most used space in the house by the kids as they have a family computer in the space. The two windows were existing and now add a great focal point and a natural light source above the new, built-in bench.
AFTER: New 16-foot sliding doors in the dining area pull in an abundance of natural light and lead to a backyard with gorgeous views of the ravine below. The sliding doors utilize a lift and slide system that allow the doors to open with minimal effort. “These are pretty massive doors, but thanks to the lift and slide system, you can literally open them with your pinkie,” Lazanik says.
The new entry foyer now opens directly to the kitchen. A set of tall cabinets covered in the same wood melamine used in the kitchen serves as a coat closet. A built-in bench next to the cabinets provides an ideal spot for putting on and taking off boots during the winter months.More: Key Measurements to Help You Design Your Kitchen
Photos by Gillian LazanikKitchen at a GlanceWho lives here: A three-generation familyLocation: TorontoSize: 300 square feet (27.9 square meters)Designer: Gillian Lazanik of Affecting SpacesBesides the three generations that live under the same roof, this home is also the hub for frequent extended family gatherings and holidays. “The kitchen, dining and living areas were all separated in the original layout,” says interior designer Gillian Lazanik. “We knocked down as many walls as we could to open up the space. Now the home is ideal for hosting large groups.”Pendant lighting: Dainolite; Wall color: Gray Mist, Benjamin Moore; Wood floors: Cobble Hill Maple...
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