Latest Posts:
Tag

Update

Browsing
In Home Improvement

Stylish, Budget-Friendly Update for a Kitchen and Living Area

No Comments



The owners of this London home were pretty happy with the kitchen when they moved in but felt it didn’t really reflect their style. Unsure how to remedy that, they looked to Houzz, where they came across the profile of interior designer Jo Kaur Llogarajah of Studio JKL. “We instantly connected and they were drawn to what they described as my personable approach and understanding of the home being an intimately personal space, rather than promoting a ‘house style,’” Llogarajah says. “The family are from Senegal and wanted their heritage incorporated into the design.”

Llogarajah, using Houzz Pro, addressed the look of the space and tweaked the layout to create a more family-friendly environment. And thanks to some thoughtful and sustainably minded choices, it was all done on a tight budget. Check out the before-and-after photos below.



This article was originally published by a www.houzz.com . Read the Original article here. .

Read More
By
In Home Improvement

Kitchen of the Week: Bright, Functional Update for Retirees

No Comments



This retired couple in Washington state were ready to trade the cramped, dated kitchen in their 1990s split-level home for something brighter, smarter and more functional. Basic maple cabinets fell short on storage, and a bulky two-tier island made walkways uncomfortably tight. While skylights and a nearby sliding door offered some natural light, the lack of a window left the space feeling dark.

Designer Molly Erin McCabe guided the couple beyond their initial idea of a light refresh to a full remodel that reconfigured appliances, opened up circulation and brought in a garden view. Warm cherry cabinetry now stretches to the ceiling, maximizing storage and beautifully complementing a soft blue backsplash. A sleek single-level island creates better flow, while a new bar area with a beverage fridge improves entertaining.

Before Photo

McCabe By Design LLCSave Photo

“After” photos by Iklil Gregg Photography

Kitchen at a Glance
Who lives here: A recently retired couple
Location: Kingston, Washington
Size: 280 square feet (26 square meters), including a breakfast area
Designer: Molly Erin McCabe of McCabe by Design

Before: This view from the living room shows the former kitchen in the background. While the size of the open layout was adequate, short basic maple cabinets without knobs or pulls offered little storage or style. Granite tile counters and a black tile backsplash paired with a mix of black and stainless steel appliances felt dated. The bulky two-tier island cramped circulation. “It was probably the first thing out of my mouth,” McCabe says. “They didn’t have sufficient aisleways.” A breakfast area with a wood table and chairs and a sliding glass door to a deck connected the kitchen and living room.

McCabe By Design LLCSave Photo
After: McCabe removed the dated cabinets, counters, backsplash and most of the appliances, along with the bulky two-tier island. In their place, she added a streamlined single-level island that includes storage and a trash and recycling pullout. “Without the bulk of the larger island, the entire kitchen is safer and more spacious, visually and functionally,” McCabe says.

Frameless cherry cabinets with a warm brown stain extend to the ceiling, maximizing storage. “It was configured for how the clients live and how they cook,” McCabe says. “My objective was to create storage that was inside the kitchen, to minimize trips into the pantry. The cherry also has a richer tone.”

The cabinetry pairs with the existing red oak floor, which was patched with new boards where the island was moved and then refinished with a matte urethane coat. “Because we moved the island, we had to weave in new boards,” McCabe says. “We kept the project cost down by only having to refinish the floor in the kitchen.”

Cabinetry: Bria cabinet line in door style Carson in cherry with Toast stain, Dura Supreme Cabinetry; wall paint: Comfort Gray, Sherwin-Williams

Find kitchen remodelers near you

Before Photo

McCabe By Design LLCSave Photo

Before: The blue-and-wood two-tier island with overhang and stools crowded the adjoining breakfast area. The black tile backsplash paired with a black propane cooktop and inefficient downdraft vent made that side of the kitchen feel especially dark. The two fixed skylights were incorporated into the new design.

McCabe By Design LLCSave Photo
After: The new island provides a large, uninterrupted surface for meal prep or serving a buffet. Its polished quartz top, also used on the perimeter counters, resists scratches, stains and chips and features a light marbled background with gray swells and charcoal accents. “The light-colored countertops lighten and brighten the kitchen,” McCabe says. The top drawer has a power strip inside. Ash gray knurled bar pulls add a subtle finishing detail to the cabinetry.

A 30-inch built-in induction cooktop in black glass replaces the former propane unit in roughly the same location. It’s paired with a wall-mounted stainless steel hood that improves air quality and helps keep surfaces clean.

For the backsplash, McCabe used handcrafted glazed ceramic blue picket tiles with tonal variation and light gray grout. “The blue tile in the backsplash ties in the blue hue that flows through the home, and the scale of the tile adds interest without creating visual clutter,” she says. A paneled door on the left leads to an existing walk-in pantry.

Backsplash tile: Watercolors picket in Whitney, Lunada Bay Tile; counters: Swanbridge, Cambria; hardware: Amwell in Ash Gray, Top Knobs

Before and After: 4 Appealing Kitchens in 300 Square Feet

Before Photo

McCabe By Design LLCSave Photo

Before: This view shows the interior side of the former island, which held a white double-bowl sink, sink cabinet and dishwasher. “There was no space to the right of the sink, which created a hazard,” McCabe says.

A black wall oven and a small black microwave sat next to the refrigerator alongside a short run of cabinetry and counter that ended just before the sliding glass door. “There was about 11 inches or so between the casing of the door and the cabinetry,” McCabe says.

McCabe By Design LLCSave Photo
After: McCabe moved the upgraded wall ovens and new refrigerator across the kitchen (see below), which freed up space to relocate the sink and add a vinyl casement window that fills the room with natural light. “This also gives them a direct view of the garden from the sink,” McCabe says.

The new undermount workstation sink in brushed stainless steel features a motion-activated smart pull-down faucet with a spot-resistant finish. “The plumbing from the island was rerouted through the floor joists to that wall,” McCabe says. “There’s a whole floor of the home below. Running the plumbing through the floor joists was instrumental to keep the costs down. The workstation sink effectively creates more counter space and makes food prep a breeze with multiple accessories.”

The couple’s existing top-control stainless steel dishwasher was reinstalled to the right of the sink. A valance above integrates LED pods for task lighting, and the updated plan also includes new ceiling LEDs and glass bulb pendant lights over the breakfast table.

See why you should hire a professional who uses Houzz Pro software

Before Photo

McCabe By Design LLCSave Photo

Before: Across from where the refrigerator and wall ovens were, a short run of cabinetry and counter went largely unused. “The cabinets there were only 21 inches deep instead of 24,” McCabe says. Nearby, a desk area by the dining table often became a dumping ground. “They wanted a beverage center,” McCabe says.

McCabe By Design LLCSave Photo
After: McCabe extended the wall behind the refrigerator by 7 inches to group the refrigerator and ovens together. The counter-depth four-door stainless steel fridge, which has a convertible lower right section that can switch between refrigerator and freezer, occupies the space of the former short cabinetry. A stainless steel combination convection microwave and wall oven is adjacent. “The stainless steel finishes on the appliances reflect light and contribute to the lighter, fresher feel of the space,” McCabe says.

The former desk area became a bar, featuring an undercounter beverage refrigerator and cabinets for storing spirits and entertaining supplies. “The beverage fridge and countertop help keep guests close by when entertaining, without making them feel like they are in the way,” McCabe says.

New to home remodeling? Learn the basics

Before Photo

McCabe By Design LLCSave Photo

Before: The former kitchen felt smaller than its actual size due to the shape and placement of the two-tier island (center), which made walkways tight, especially between the island and dining table (bottom right).

The refrigerator and wall ovens (bottom left) were positioned along the exterior wall, while the desk (top right) and a short run of cabinetry and counter (top left) sat across the room. The cooktop was on the left, opposite the island sink.

McCabe By Design LLCSave Photo
After: Removing the two-tier island and installing a single-level island improved circulation in the kitchen. Relocating the refrigerator and new wall ovens (top left) and adding a bar area with a beverage refrigerator (top right) made the space more functional. “It’s optimized for entertaining, has better work flow and allows two people to work together safely,” McCabe says.

More on Houzz
Read more kitchen stories
Browse kitchen photos
Hire a kitchen remodeler



This article was originally published by a www.houzz.com . Read the Original article here. .

Read More
By
In Home Improvement

Kitchen of the Week: Elegant Update Honors a Childhood Home

No Comments



This empty-nest couple in California turned to designer Lori Ramsay to help reimagine the basic white kitchen in the wife’s Mediterranean-style childhood home, located in a San Diego master-planned community. Their goal was to honor cherished memories while improving function, storage and style in the 125-square-foot space. Ramsay kept the original footprint mostly intact but elevated the design with white-and-wood cabinetry, brass hardware, and countertops and a backsplash in striking white granite with bold veining and forest green crystals. A new peninsula adds storage, seating and a workstation sink, while the former breakfast area now houses a glamorous bar with glass-and-brass shelving.

Before Photo

Lori Ramsay DesignSave Photo

“After” photos by Elizabeth Patton Photography

Kitchen at a Glance
Who lives here: An empty-nest couple
Location: San Diego
Size: 125 square feet (11.6 square meters)
Designer: Lori Ramsay Design

Before: The nearly all-white kitchen included a short peninsula, white appliances, white solid-surface counters and basic cabinetry without hardware. A cove ceiling added to the dated look. “The cove ceiling was something I wanted to remove, but the budget wouldn’t allow it,” Ramsay says.

While the layout created an efficient work triangle between the sink, range and refrigerator, a small microwave above the range lacked proper ventilation, and the bulky refrigerator jutted into the walkway. “The kitchen functioned very well,” Ramsay says. “The primary concern was that the whole thing was dated and didn’t have style. This homeowner has great taste and the dated kitchen didn’t reflect her personality.” The wood-look laminate floor offered a visual break from all the white but was worn and ready for replacement.

Lori Ramsay DesignSave Photo
After: Ramsay mostly retained the original footprint. “Every time you move something like plumbing and gas lines, it adds to the expense,” she says. She also kept the cove ceiling but had the rest of the kitchen completely gutted and rebuilt. The upper cabinets and trim are painted a warm white (Pure White by Sherwin-Williams), which contrasts beautifully with the stained rift-cut white oak lower cabinets. The two-tone combination adds depth and warmth, while rich brass pulls tie the look together. “They didn’t have adequate storage before,” Ramsay says. “We increased storage capacity and accessibility by converting lower cabinets to all drawers.”

A soft white wall and ceiling color with warm khaki undertones (Neutral Ground by Sherwin-Williams) creates a cozy backdrop that helps the cabinetry stand out. Polished Alpine granite, with bold ebony, graphite and gray veining and forest green crystals, forms the countertops and slab backsplash, adding color, movement and drama. “That was the kickoff for the kitchen,” Ramsay says. “She found that slab and fell in love with it, and that informed all the other decisions.”

Cabinetry hardware: Erika pull in warm brass, Atlas Homewares

Find kitchen remodelers near you

Lori Ramsay DesignSave Photo
A white 30-inch, slide-in, dual-fuel smart range with double ovens has a 36-inch custom hood designed to coordinate with the upper cabinetry. The hood liner has LED lighting and a powerful blower that keeps odors and smoke from drifting into surrounding spaces. A white oak band brings the warmth of the lower cabinetry to the hood. “Creating the hood as a focal point elevates the design and increases functionality,” Ramsay says. “And by making the hood at least 6 inches larger, it gives the cook room and gives the hood more presence.”

In addition to the lights inside the hood, the kitchen also includes updated LED ceiling lights and undercabinet lights over task areas.

Range: Café; range hood insert: Monsoon Mini II, Zephyr

Shop for your kitchen

Before Photo

Lori Ramsay DesignSave Photo

Before: Previously, the large side-by-side refrigerator in a corner of the kitchen stuck out past the cabinetry. The bulky appliance sat by a doorway that opens to the family room. “I thought that needed to be cabinet-depth or built-in,” Ramsay says.

A pantry cabinet next to the refrigerator had fixed shelves inside. “It was only 12 inches deep,” Ramsay says. “That’s why you see such a disparity between the full-depth refrigerator and the pantry.”

See why you should hire a professional who uses Houzz Pro software

Lori Ramsay DesignSave Photo
After: Ramsay shifted the location of the refrigerator and swapped in a white counter-depth, two-drawer French door smart fridge with gold hardware. Its location to the left meant she could add a full-height and full-depth pantry cabinet (right) for small appliances, with drawers underneath for breakfast supplies and dry goods. “Moving the refrigerator to the left and making it counter-depth made the entrance to the kitchen more spacious,” Ramsay says.

Before and After: 4 Inviting Kitchens in 120 to 160 Square Feet

Lori Ramsay DesignSave Photo
An appliance garage added in the corner by the fridge helps keep the counters free of clutter. “My concern with shifting the refrigerator was that there would be a deep hole in the corner of the kitchen,” Ramsay says. “So we did two things: We dropped the upper cabinetry to the countertop and added the appliance garage. And for the lower cabinet, we did a magic corner [organizer] on the range side and added a spice pullout by the refrigerator.”

25 Genius Kitchen Storage Ideas

Lori Ramsay DesignSave Photo
A 30-inch fireclay farmhouse-style workstation sink sits across from the refrigerator. It features an extra-deep single bowl and a wood cutting board that slides along a built-in ledge for added function. The faucet, finished in luxe gold, has magnetic docking and a pull-down spray. “We extended the countertop behind the sink and added cabinets on the end to allow for storage and comfortable seating behind the sink,” Ramsay says. “That became the island for them.”

To the left of the sink is a double-drawer white-and-gold dishwasher that complements the fridge. A trash and recycling pullout sits in the peninsula, perpendicular to the sink. “We couldn’t fit the trash to the right of the sink, so that was the most logical place to put it,” Ramsay says. “Because these homeowners are empty nesters, using one small oven or one of the dishwasher drawers just makes sense.” Floating rift-cut white oak shelves at the end of the upper cabinetry provide a perfect spot for plants or decorative items.

Sink: Elkay; faucet: Artesso in luxe gold, Brizo

6 Expert Tips for Banishing Kitchen Clutter

Before Photo

Lori Ramsay DesignSave Photo

Before: A small breakfast area with a table and chairs sat just off the kitchen but wasn’t used regularly. “They didn’t use it often and she wanted a bar,” Ramsay says. A pot rack hung over the sink, adding visual clutter. A structural post in the space needed to remain in place, as removing it would have been too costly.

Lori Ramsay DesignSave Photo
After: Removing the cluttered pots and pans gave Ramsay the opportunity to install elegant brass-and-glass pendant lights, which now illuminate the counter seating area. She replaced the table and chairs with a glamorous bar setup, creating a more functional space for entertaining. A beverage fridge in the peninsula keeps cold drinks nearby and allows guests to grab what they like without entering the kitchen. Medium brown luxury vinyl plank (LVP) flooring extends through the kitchen and bar area, offering the look of warm wood but with improved durability and water resistance.

New to home remodeling? Learn the basics

Lori Ramsay DesignSave Photo
The elegant bar has raised-panel cabinetry painted a rich, dramatic green (Black Evergreen by Behr). The brass-and-glass shelving showcases the homeowners’ tequila collection. A mirrored backsplash adds depth and a touch of glamour, while the white granite countertop coordinates with the stone used in the kitchen. “Both the cabinet style and color are different from the kitchen, but the emerald crystals in the kitchen granite tied everything together,” Ramsay says. “By eliminating that table, it allowed space for entertaining.”

Custom brass shelving: Soil & Oak Design; glass shelving: RB Glass & Mirror

Lori Ramsay DesignSave Photo



This article was originally published by a www.houzz.com . Read the Original article here. .

Read More
By
In Home Improvement

Houzz Tour: 15th-Century Stone Cottage Gets a Sensitive Update

No Comments



When you purchase a property that’s been standing for hundreds of years, the prospect of renovating it might be daunting. How do you make it suitable for modern living without destroying the original beauty of the building?

Fortunately, the new owner of this 15th-century house was an experienced interior designer, Beth Dadswell of Imperfect Interiors, who had the skill and vision to put her stamp on it without taking away its character. The cottage was originally part of the oldest building in town, a coach inn, so with this legacy in mind, Dadswell sensitively transformed it from a dated, cramped space into a bright, cozy and functional weekend retreat.



This article was originally published by a www.houzz.com . Read the Original article here. .

Read More
By
In Home Improvement

Bathroom of the Week: Classic New England Style Gets an Update

No Comments





This article was originally published by a www.houzz.com . Read the Original article here. .

Read More
By
Pin It