When we meet for the first time, it’s not uncommon for clients to tell me they’ve been waiting years for the right time to embark on their kitchen renovation.

This also means they’ve usually gathered many years’ worth of ideas for their space!

This kitchen was more than ready for a makeover, and when my clients called me, they had been thinking about what they liked and wanted for a while. They had lots of ideas that provided me with valuable insight into their priorities and taste.

As we started the renovation process, I reviewed all their list with them and helped to consolidate it into a coherent plan. Together, we identified a few issues with the kitchen that we wanted to make sure to address during the renovation.

The old kitchen was sorely lacking in functional storage. I made some adjustments to the layout to ensure we maximized every inch of space. Custom cabinetry gave me the ability to tailor the storage to the client’s needs.

The kitchen’s u-shape presented a challenge for entertaining. With no space for an island, I had to get creative to incorporate casual seating for guests to be part of the action. By extending the countertop around the adjacent wall, I was able to create a bar with seating for three. Bonus: extra storage in the cabinetry underneath!

Aesthetically, the old cabinetry was dated and desperately needed a refresh. My woodworker client loved the stunning new white oak cabinetry in a simple Shaker profile. The dark stain on the lower cabinets was chosen to contrast nicely with the client’s existing wood furniture.

To keep the kitchen light and airy, we used crisp white upper cabinets and added interest with a textured white backsplash tile. Dark counters, hardware, and window trim tie it all together.

In this small space, any changes to the kitchen had to be cohesive throughout the rest of the home. New vinyl plank flooring was installed throughout the main living areas to tie all the wood tones together.

Using my clients’ extensive collection of ideas as a jumping off point, I was able to come up with a design that made the most of their space and delivered the long-awaited kitchen of their dreams.

Planning for a kitchen renovation can be an exciting part of the overall process. As you wait for the right time to start your project, be sure to collect ideas and must-haves along the way to share with your designer when you’re ready to kick things off.

What My Client Said

CPI designed a complete renovation of our 60 year old bungalow main level, including some key pieces of furniture and created our functional dream home. We hate wasted space and this design optimizes every inch. Using their preferred Contractor, CJ Construction was beyond our expectation. He and his tradespeople were masters at their trade. The way he worked with us to find solutions for “surprises” that a 60 year old home could bring was so professional and respectful of our budget… or add-ons that we decided during the process. Even with those surprises and add-ons, he completed the work on time and at the highest standard. We love every inch of our home.

Susan and Brian Hogan, Ottawa