When I first walked into Krista & Mike’s recently purchased home I could see the potential they saw in it. I knew this could be a perfect family home for their young family but it definitely required some creativity.
While they weren’t living in the house it was obvious to all of us that the space had some challenges. These issues were a mix of functional and aesthetic. The house hadn’t been updated for a while and was in need of a more current look. It also had some issues with spaces that weren’t well defined or functional.
As we know, the kitchen is always the heart of a home but in this case, the kitchen was not functioning in a way that suited this young family. They have young kids and they wanted a space where they could gather as a family for after school hangouts and family meals.
This would also become the space where friends and family gathered during visits. It needed to function as a workspace for cooking, a family-friendly hangout and an entertaining area. We knew if we got this right that the home would function in the most ideal way.
The rest of the space was large and open but there was nothing that defined or separated the spaces. This made it challenging as each room just flowed into the next.
Lastly, a too-small powder room left the homeowners with an uninspired space with no storage.
Challenges In The Kitchen
From the beginning, Krista & Mike agreed that the primary goal in the kitchen was to increase functionality including better flow and additional storage. They also really wanted an island with space for the family of 4 to gather, spend time and eat together.
Aesthetically we needed to deal with an HVAC system that was housed in a bulkhead that protruded from the wall in the kitchen. While this couldn’t be removed it was causing a visual distraction and we needed to use a lot of creativity to manage its appearance.
The team at Pamela Lynn Interiors worked hard to create something that would hide the column without affecting the functionality. In the end, we created a false cabinet that flowed effortlessly with the rest of the kitchen’s cabinets. Now you can’t tell that there’s anything hiding behind the walls.
Powder Room Woes
One of the biggest and most impressive transformations took place in the powder room. The tiny footprint combined with the outdated finishes left this space feeling boring and neglected.
There was only enough space for a pedestal vanity which meant this room had no usable storage. We knew we needed to provide a better layout but since we weren’t increasing the size of the room we focused on colour, pattern and some creative storage solutions.
This space now feels bigger and definitely more custom. The dark wall colour combined with the bold wallpaper gives it a feeling of a jewel box. The custom shelving surrounding the sink gives the space a unique custom look and feel.
This has turned out to be one of our favourite parts of this entire project. It’s not always the biggest space that looks the most beautiful and this tiny powder room proves that. Krista & Mike’s guests will now be treated to a cocoon of colour, texture and warmth.
Living Room & Dining Room Transformation
One of the first things that we noticed when we walked into this space initially was the oversized and very detailed crown moulding. I could see it was too ornate for the space and we knew it needed to be removed. It was decorated with bold, outdated colours, window coverings and light fixtures. It was stuck in the 90’s and needed an intervention. Now the space feels modern, bright and welcoming.
The living room (or wine room as we have affectionately nicknamed it) is the perfect spot for charcuterie and wine when friends come to visit. It’s also a great spot for all 4 family members to hang out and connect after school.
The adjoining dining room maintains the light, bright feeling of the rest of the space while using navy to anchor the room. The combination of white, navy and gold feels sophisticated and timeless.
Family Time
We wanted to give this family a cozy family space where all 4 of them could cuddle up and watch movies together. We created a millwork design that would become the focal point of the space. Now this room has a defined purpose and the dramatic, custom built-ins have become the showstopper of the main floor.
An Updated Aesthetic
It was easy to see that this house had not been updated for a very long time (hello 1990’s). The flooring, the crown moulding and the paint colours were all dated and begging to be brought into the current decade.
We created a colour palette that wove in and out of each room to create harmony and cohesiveness. The backdrop of this updated space is a crisp white that’s accented by hits of navy blue throughout each space. And of course, our jewel box powder room provides the crescendo of colour.
The mid-toned wood flooring looks current but not trendy so it won’t date anytime soon. We also kept the furniture calm with a neutral palette of gray, taupe and white and accented that with pops of navy.
If you’re nervous about mixing and matching metal finishes you’ll see how beautifully it works in this space. We used a combination of black and gold that mix seamlessly together and feel like they were always meant to be together.
While the kitchen is entirely finished using gold finishes, we incorporated black in curtain rods and various furniture and decor pieces. I love the way the black stands out against the gold and they work harmoniously together to create a chic overall look. If you need more help with mixing metals, read this post.
Where We Started:
All members of this family are thrilled with the results of the renovation. This is truly a family home that will provide a happy retreat for many years to come.
We couldn’t be happier with how this space turned out. The most difficult part is having to wait until we can get started on the transformation of the 2nd floor of this home. Stay tuned for that!
If you have a project you’re considering, reach out to us. We’d love to discuss how the PLI team can help with your upcoming project.
If you know your design style but you struggle with which paint to use, take a look at my Made-For-You paint palettes. They take the guesswork out and give you the confidence to get started.
