Modern kitchen make-over in Toronto's beautiful Forest Hill - By BiglarKinyan Design Partnership Inc

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Kitchen renovations were popular this year. This month we visit a unique and modern kitchen make-over in beautiful Forest Hill by BiglarKinyan Design Partnership Inc (BKDP).

THE PROBLEM

The existing kitchen cabinets were representative of the 1980s and generic, in a white colour melamine slab door design. The kitchen location was central to the house and separated from the family room, with a dividing wall containing a small pass-through. The partition wall blocked most of the sun-light that entered from the adjacent family room. This resulted in a very narrow space that was disconnected from the rest of the house. Cabinets above the pass-through provided some storage, but they were difficult to access.

The home owners asked the designers at BiglarKinyan Design Partnership Inc. to re-design their kitchen to be ergonomic and stylish. The new kitchen was to open up into the adjacent family room and be designed in a warm and timeless, yet modern fashion. After an initial consultation with the home owners, the designers at BKDP first got a sense for what their clients liked and disliked about the old kitchen, then they began working on a proposal to create a dream kitchen.

DESIGN GOAL 1: CREATE A MODERN, TIMELESS KITCHEN

First, to create a modern style the designers proposed a design with wide slab doors in a warm and natural cherry veneer. To tie the kitchen with the architecture of the rest of the house and to maintain a timeless aesthetic, a streamlined single cove crown moulding was added. The designers used a 2”x2” natural limestone mosaic backsplash on a diagonal pattern to maintain a streamlined look, while adding warmth to the modern style of the kitchen.

DESIGN GOAL 2: OPEN CONCEPT WITH AN ISLAND

The new kitchen was to feel like an open concept space, with an island but without drastic modifications to the structure of the house. To achieve this, the designers first relocated all tall cabinets (major storage center containing additional pantries) and large appliances to the north wall; this way the volume of these cabinets would be out of sight upon entering the space.

On the south side, the pass-through height was increased in order to give the impression of an open concept plan and to bring sun-light into the kitchen space. On that same wall three glass upper cabinets were installed as a module to give the kitchen an open and light European look.

On the completely tiled west wall, a wide Miele stainless steel vent hood was a unique focal point. The horizontal bias of the hood, thick countertop edge, and drawers on that elevation gives an impression of a wider space. This open space also balanced the masses on adjacent walls, and since no upper cabinets were installed on the west wall the concept of openness is emphasized further.

OTHER DESIGN SOLUTIONS

Small appliances often create clutter. The designers at BKDP resolved this problem by incorporating 1) a full-depth appliance garage within the tall cabinets of the north wall and 2) a wine cooler within the peninsula. The built-in microwave and oven were relocated to the right side of the cooktop, minimizing the distance between all appliances, thereby increasing the efficacy of the layout.

To remedy the lighting problem, BKDP replaced the ceiling-mount fixtures with strategically placed low-voltage halogen pot lights, which give a brighter and better quality of light. These lights were reflected off of the cabinet faces to produce a warm ambiance. Low voltage dimmers allowed for personalization of lighting for different occasions and 3200K warm toned mini fluorescent under-cabinet lights produce a good work-light.

The key to any successful renovation is to pay attention to details. The designers at BKDP listen to their clients’ wishes and incorporate them into their work plans. To see more work by BiglarKinyan Design Partnership Inc. or to learn about their services please visit their website at www.bkdp.ca

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