A U-Shaped Kitchen Opens Up
Dark cabinets and dated tile were keeping a cook away. A new layout and brighter finishes make the space more inviting
Erin Carlyle
March 22, 2018
Former Houzz Editorial Staff. Writing about the cost of renovation and what it takes to remodel. Former Forbes real estate reporter. Fascinated by cool homes, watching the bottom line.
Former Houzz Editorial Staff. Writing about the cost of renovation and what it takes... More
Kitchen at a Glance
Who lives here: Jessica and Giles Brown, their three dogs and one cat
Size: 270 square feet (25 square meters)
Location: Calgary, Alberta
Designer: Nancy West, project manager for Trademark Renovations
When Jessica and Giles Brown purchased their 1974 home in Calgary, Alberta, they did not care for the kitchen’s layout, look or condition. The stove, refrigerator and dishwasher didn’t work. “The cabinets were falling apart,” Jessica Brown says. “It was dark chocolate brown, and the backsplash was cream with sunflower tile.”
Who lives here: Jessica and Giles Brown, their three dogs and one cat
Size: 270 square feet (25 square meters)
Location: Calgary, Alberta
Designer: Nancy West, project manager for Trademark Renovations
When Jessica and Giles Brown purchased their 1974 home in Calgary, Alberta, they did not care for the kitchen’s layout, look or condition. The stove, refrigerator and dishwasher didn’t work. “The cabinets were falling apart,” Jessica Brown says. “It was dark chocolate brown, and the backsplash was cream with sunflower tile.”
Before. Brown loves to cook, but the U-shaped layout and dark finishes felt cramped and uninviting. “My husband and I ate out all the time because I just didn’t enjoy being there,” she says.
After. The first step was getting rid of the cramped U layout. Since the home had a separate dining room, the Browns felt they could take out the eat-in area that abutted the work zone in the original kitchen. With the U gone, they expanded the kitchen into the adjacent space (formerly the eat-in area) with a 7½-foot-long island.
Island. The island features only drawers, rather than cabinets with doors, as the homeowners prefer them for easy access to what’s stored inside. “Each drawer holds 200 pounds,” West says. The drawers that face the stove hold pots and pans, as well as dishes, glasses and utensils. Jessica chose this arrangement since these drawers are closest to the dishwasher (see next photo). Also, Jessica stands in front of this end of the island when prepping dinner, so it’s helpful to have access to these tools.
The drawers on the long sides of the island hold tupperware, small appliances and everything Jessica uses for baking. She likes to stand on the side of the island that faces the sink when she bakes. That way, she has more space to move around without being in the way of anyone who might need the refrigerator.
The short end of the island farthest from the stove is finished off with a counter overhang (see previous photo). The couple sits at stools here for lunches or quick dinners when they are in a hurry. Otherwise, they prefer to eat in the dining room.
Pendants. Brown chose simple glass ball pendants for the island. The kitchen is visible from the home’s front door, and she wanted the focus to be on the kitchen overall, rather than on a dramatic lighting fixture.
Island paint: Kendall Charcoal, Benjamin Moore
The drawers on the long sides of the island hold tupperware, small appliances and everything Jessica uses for baking. She likes to stand on the side of the island that faces the sink when she bakes. That way, she has more space to move around without being in the way of anyone who might need the refrigerator.
The short end of the island farthest from the stove is finished off with a counter overhang (see previous photo). The couple sits at stools here for lunches or quick dinners when they are in a hurry. Otherwise, they prefer to eat in the dining room.
Pendants. Brown chose simple glass ball pendants for the island. The kitchen is visible from the home’s front door, and she wanted the focus to be on the kitchen overall, rather than on a dramatic lighting fixture.
Island paint: Kendall Charcoal, Benjamin Moore
Floor. The flooring is large-format (12-by-24-inch) tile in various grays. It was a good choice for the couple since they have pets with nails that could scratch hardwood.
Countertop. The kitchen countertop is a silver white quartz.
Cabinetry. The cabinetry is Shaker style with 3-inch rails and stiles. The renovation included raising the ceiling from 7 feet to 8 feet high, and in the process eliminating a large fluorescent ceiling light. The raised ceiling made more room for storage space in the new, taller cabinets.
Floor: Krea series in Silver Matte, Savoia; sink: Silgranit, Blanco; see more composite sinks
Countertop. The kitchen countertop is a silver white quartz.
Cabinetry. The cabinetry is Shaker style with 3-inch rails and stiles. The renovation included raising the ceiling from 7 feet to 8 feet high, and in the process eliminating a large fluorescent ceiling light. The raised ceiling made more room for storage space in the new, taller cabinets.
Floor: Krea series in Silver Matte, Savoia; sink: Silgranit, Blanco; see more composite sinks
Opposite the windows, the new kitchen features a cabinetry wall that functions as the Browns’ pantry.
Cabinetry hardware. Brown considered brass hardware, but felt a stainless look was more classic. The hardware she chose also matches the color of the home’s interior door handles and hinges.
Appliances. In addition to the main oven and cooktop on the right, the Browns also have a microwave and a second oven to the left of the refrigerator. “I wanted both because I do a lot of cooking and I love to bake,” Brown says of the two ovens.
See how to get custom cabinetry
Cabinetry hardware. Brown considered brass hardware, but felt a stainless look was more classic. The hardware she chose also matches the color of the home’s interior door handles and hinges.
Appliances. In addition to the main oven and cooktop on the right, the Browns also have a microwave and a second oven to the left of the refrigerator. “I wanted both because I do a lot of cooking and I love to bake,” Brown says of the two ovens.
See how to get custom cabinetry
Backsplash. While Jessica loves all-white kitchens, Giles does not. The couple chose blue glass tile to bring some color to the wall behind the range hood. Jessica chose white grout, which makes the tile’s herringbone layout stand out. (Painting the island gray also helped to suit Giles’ taste.)
Range hood. Jessica prefers larger, more detailed hoods, while her husband likes clean, contemporary lines. “This was 100 percent my husband,” she says of the model they chose.
Dishwasher. The dishwasher stands right of the stove and to the left of the sink.
Backsplash tile: crystalline glass in aquamarine, 2-by-10-inch, Centura Tile; browse more aqua glass tile
Range hood. Jessica prefers larger, more detailed hoods, while her husband likes clean, contemporary lines. “This was 100 percent my husband,” she says of the model they chose.
Dishwasher. The dishwasher stands right of the stove and to the left of the sink.
Backsplash tile: crystalline glass in aquamarine, 2-by-10-inch, Centura Tile; browse more aqua glass tile
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This is a beautiful, functional kitchen for the owners, and I am envious! Being a southpaw, I like my dishwasher being to the left of my sink, but I like the additional space between this sink and dishwasher better. Having the garbage/recycle bins and cleaning supplies to the right of the sink also makes great sense to me. They are accessible to others, while someone is at the sink.
Would love to see floorplans of before and after.