In her renovation of this small 1990s kitchen, Victoria McKenney, principal designer of Vancouver, BC-based Enviable Designs, was confined to working within the footprint of the 22 x 15 room. The client wanted a completely new aesthetic for the kitchen but did not want to invest in any structural changes. “They wanted a European feel,” said McKenney. “One that included a mixture of modern and detailed accents.”
Before she could address those finer points of the design, McKenney was challenged to deliver more efficient storage in a way that would not compromise the look of the kitchen. To do this, she created negative space in the room by eliminating upper cabinets on the cooktop wall. This would better showcase the beauty of the natural materials she had in mind to add a modern flair to the kitchen.
Small Kitchen Design Solutions
A Calacatta marble was the linchpin of the palette. To support the light and airy feel of the space while retaining a sense of warmth, the designer selected white oak cabinetry with painted white accents.
The island sports an interesting “helmet”-style edge detail, with the stone counter wrapping about a quarter of the way down the sides of the unit, where it meets a reeded-wood cladding. The effect adds an architectural element to the space.
Reflecting on lessons learned in the project, McKenney said, “This renovation really taught us that subtracting and minimizing materials can create a beautifully tailored space. We pared down on details and created much more negative space in this small kitchen, and the end result is a very calm and reflective space.”
The design of the existing kitchen was heavy and long out of fashion.
Sources
Design: Victoria McKenney, Enviable Designs; Photography: Tracey Ayton; Cabinets: Kitchen Art Designs; Cabinet Hardware: Emtek; Cooktop: Wolf; Countertops & Backsplash: SSC Countertops; Dishwasher: Bosch; Faucets: Brizo; Lighting: Nova Luce Pendants; Microwave: Panasonic; Paint: Benjamin Moore; Refrigerator: SubZero; Sinks: Blanco; Vent Hood: Broan; Wall Ovens: Miele
