1. Style – upgrade to a contemporary look.
2. Atmosphere – add color and lighting to make the kitchen more welcoming.
3. Layout – make better use of the space in and around the kitchen.

Here’s how we accomplished the transformation from dark, cramped and outdated to stunning, inviting and practical:

1. Style – we replaced the old cabinets with a clean, modern style in maple.
2. Atmosphere – we worked with our client to discover her favorite color palette and then applied it to the quartz countertops, cabinets and walls. The ceiling was raised and then practical and dramatic lighting was added in layers: overhead lights, in-cabinet lights, LED task lights and LED accents under the counter.
3. Layout – at one end of the original kitchen there was an odd space bigger than a pantry but smaller than a sitting room. This space was awkward and separated the kitchen from a great source of natural light. We removed the wall to bring the window into the kitchen and added a window seat between a built-in pantry and a bar. Our client loves to entertain, so we removed the old peninsula to make room for a large island that offers plenty of space for cooking and seating for guests.

Kitchen designer Tim Huber talks about what makes a kitchen Contemporary. Tim tours a kitchen display at the Affinity Kitchens showroom to introduce the elements of Contemporary design and to show off the display’s special features including soft close cabinet doors, unique storage solutions, LED lighting accents and Kohler Karbon faucet. See more Contemporary kitchens in our Photo Gallery.

This video is an excerpt from our Design Your Cuisine video series featuring Jan D’Atri.

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• Color scheme in mauve
• Carpeted floors
• Gold-toned fixtures
• Clunky cabinetry
• Built-in planter

Although the bathroom had an abundance of natural light, the glass block windows and oversized milk-Plexiglas skylight provided no clear view to the outdoors.

Design

At the start of the project we developed four preliminary design concepts, keeping in mind that our client wanted to leave the fixtures, toilet, sinks, shower and bathtub in approximately the same locations to reduce costs. The selected preliminary design concept gave us an overall direction and the final design integrated new elements that emerged during the design process.

Materials & Fixtures

The primary objective for this remodel was to create a clean, contemporary space, so the final material and fixture selections were chosen with that in mind. Beautiful 24″ x 24″ polished metallic porcelain floor tiles anchor a combination of subtly textured “Oyster” porcelain and blue “Rain” honed glass field tiles. Vertically set mosaic glass backsplash tile compliments and accents the colors found in the wall and deck tiles. Dark, richly stained combed grain cabinetry, bright white quartz countertops, polished nickel lighting sconces and soaring full height mirrors add the final contemporary touches to the design.

Taking Advantage of Natural Light

In addition to the stylistic transformation, we made other changes to the space to take advantage of the natural light:

• Replaced the confining walls of the toilet enclosure with one full-height translucent glass divider.
• Traded the small Quatrefoil stained glass window for a full-height glass window that affords a clear view to the outdoors.
• Changed the milk-Plexiglas skylight to clear glass (with motorized shade) to increase the overall quality of natural light.

Located in prestigious Hawk’s Landing, ample spruce and aspen shelters most homes, therefore a light décor was selected to brighten interiors. Raised panel Antique White maple cabinets in staggered heights encase textured glass inserts and complement the chocolate maple island, all accented with a compelling contrast of pewter and bronze pulls. The vaulted ceiling is illuminated with over-cabinet lighting that combines under-cabinet lighting, directional pot lights, and a central chandelier over the island for brightly infused decor. Painted beams keep the décor light and airy above a light granite surface that counters staggered heights, and the cook top was dropped to accommodate large pots.

The corner sink embraces window views of grazing deer and align a light porcelain tile backsplash with a second sink in the island. Anchored by wire-brushed oak hardwoods in a Toffee stain, this functional setting further features soft close drawers, a slide-out appliance garage, recycling centers, and a computer station for daily convenience.

Our design team also provided cabinetry and design for the master suite, guest bath and laundry room.

1. Appearance – improve and update the look of the kitchen and adjacent family room.
2. Space Planning – improve storage, increase countertop space and expand cooking areas.
3. Family Lifestyle – make room for all four children and both parents to sit, eat and talk comfortably.
4. Modernization – incorporate new technology and appliances.

We were able to successfully transform an impractical space into a beautiful, functional kitchen that met each of our client’s goals. Here’s how:

1. Appearance – we replaced the old cabinets with a timeless, classic style.
2. Space Planning – we moved the seldom used built-in desk to the family room to make space for two work triangles accomodating multiple cooks, added a second sink, stacked wall cabinets and loaded cabinets with accessories including drawers, double waste bins, spice racks, roll-out shelves, tray dividers and an appliance garage.
3. Family Lifestyle – we designed a new, larger island to seat all four children and crafted a table to seat the entire family.
4. Modernization – we gave our client all of the “wish list” appliances including multiple convection ovens, an ice cream maker, a second sink, new dishwasher and Miele coffee maker with pull-out countertop for use when flavoring cappuccino.

This showstopper in Calgary’s Upper Scarboro features Legacy Kitchens, our Calgary location, whose diversity and capacity for interpretations defy convention. “We wanted a design in keeping with the style of our mid-century, modern, ranch-style bungalow,” admits the homeowner, adding, “We have three young children and needed a centre that could accommodate our lifestyle. The grown-ups wanted something definitely different and unique and once we worked out an idea, Legacy made it into a workable design.”

Derived from a concept by Douglas Cridland, a wash of yellow, high gloss-finishes and stainless steel was refined Legacy’s Susan Pilon. “It’s completely modern with all the conveniences. The high gloss Sun Ray polyurethane finish really complemented the clean lined stainless steel appliances with corner appliance garage,” says Pilon who integrated a desk station and booth-style eating area that features in-bench storage. An open hallway was closed off to create the new dining area that displays metallic taupe, vinyl bench seating that surrounds an antique granite table.

The stainless steel cabinet pulls are inset into the finish, mimicking a file drawer system alongside upper touch latch cabinets. Full extension, soft close Blum drawers further complement this kitchen’s smooth appeal. Caesarstone countertops contribute additional high-gloss surfaces in Lapos Blue amidst a backsplash of miniature stainless steel subway tile, while the ceiling perfectly replicates cabinet hues with linear pot lights balancing clean-lined flows.

“We were all very pleased – the overall look was a lot more creative than the norm. It’s a unique kitchen that reflects our family and our style perfectly,” concludes this satisfied client.

Framed Cabinetry

Framed cabinetry is constructed with a frame attached to the front of the cabinet box (Figure 1). The frame is usually, 3/4″ solid hardwood with door hinges secured to it. Framed cabinetry offers less storage space and accessibility than frameless construction. This is especially noticeable in units housing drawers and roll-out shelves (Figure 2) because they must be narrow enough to clear the wide frame and hinges when pulled out.

A framed cabinet looks exquisite when designed with an “inset” where the door and drawer front sit entirely within the boundaries of the frame. This look is common to vintage furniture but can also lend a contemporary feel depending on other design elements. The doors on a framed box can also be designed as “full overlay”, meaning that the doors and drawer fronts cover the frame completely for a look that is the same as frameless cabinetry.

Frameless Cabinetry

Frameless cabinetry is often referred to as “full access” or “European Box”, where doors are hinged directly to the cabinet box. When opening the doors you will see the edge of the box instead of a frame (Figure 1). This construction style allows “full-access” to shelves because it doesn’t require “stiles” (center partitions) that hinder free movement of stored items. Storage space is maximized; since there is no frame to contend with, drawers and roll-out shelves can be wider than with framed cabinetry (Figure 2).

Your choice between framed and frameless cabinetry construction should be driven by your storage needs, your design priorities and your budget. Be sure to talk about this with your kitchen designer. Your designer can offer expertise to help you choose the right cabinetry construction style to enhance the efficiency and beauty of your new kitchen.

If designed correctly, a multi-generational kitchen can be enjoyed by several different generations right now, and also continue to function efficiently for generations to come. This is more important than ever, as changing family demographics and continued economic challenges are increasingly creating households with multiple users of different ages, sizes and abilities.

“The key to effective multi-generational kitchen design is to include multiple heights for wall cabinet storage, work surfaces and tabletops, and appliances such as the wall oven, microwave and cooktops,” says Stephen Klassen, general manager for Affinity Kitchens in Scottsdale, AZ.

He adds that it is also important to have multiple prep zones – mainly to allow more than one cook at a time, but also to make it more convenient for those who must work while sitting or standing.

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Making improvements in appliance placement, functional design and aesthetics were essential for the successful remodel of this outdated kitchen.

Appliance Placement

We moved the cook top out of the island and incorporated it into the workspace; the new location allowed us to create a more natural focal point for the kitchen with a decorative mantle hood and tile backsplash above the cook top.

Functional Design

The space was very carefully designed to give the client practical and organized storage areas for all of her kitchen items, and the new island has more surface area for planning and preparing meals.

Aesthetics

The clear alder cabinets have a unique 12-step finish that adds warmth and depth to the room. Basic white tile flooring was replaced with new tile in a variety of sizes and warm colors, and high-maintenance tile countertops were replaced with granite. The end result reflects the homeowner’s warm personality and style.

The simple, clean-line cabinetry designed for this home reflects current trends in kitchen and furniture design. The white cabinetry was selected as a dramatic complement to the wood floors and furniture island piece. This kitchen is truly a chef’s dream. It features high-end commercial appliances and maximizes all interior cabinetry space with several accessories including roll out shelves, spice drawers, tray dividers and waste/recycle bins. This is a classic kitchen with a look that will endure for many years to come.

This beautiful custom home is located in Scottsdale, Arizona and is now for sale by Fisher Custom Homes.