Timeless design

TIMELESS Insightful tips on how to create a kitchen that will stand the test of time design

by KATE DAVIDSON

Kitchens have a lot going on. Aside from being the hub of all the action and the home’s showpiece, the kitchen has so many interconnected functional elements that work together to make life run smoothly – or not. And when it’s not quite working out for you, a renovation is costly, inconvenient and all-consuming. This is not something you want to do every few years. If you’re pondering or planning a kitchen reno, here are some tips to give your space more longevity, better functionality and style.

Go neutral

“Neutral” doesn’t necessarily mean bland or boring. White is the ultimate neutral, and white kitchens have been ontrend for several years and are among our most requested renovations.

The idea behind this principle is that the big-ticket items – flooring, countertops, backsplash and cabinets – should be neutral, and thus unlikely to go out of style anytime soon. From there, you can add interest and trend-appeal to your kitchen via lighting, hardware, small appliances and accessories.

tip: SUSPENDING YOUR LIGHTS AT THE RIGHT HEIGHT IS KEY. THE RULE OF THUMB IS TO HANG PENDANTS OR CHANDELIERS THREE FT. ABOVE A SURFACE, SUCH AS A COUNTERTOP OR TABLE, OR SIX FT. UP FROM THE FLOOR.

Add some personality

I’ll admit that an all-white kitchen can look “washed out” if it doesn’t have the right punctuation points. The trendy trio you’ll want to focus on is hardware, lighting and accessories.

Lighting provides function to a kitchen, but it can also dress it up. From pot lights and pendants to a chandelier above the kitchen table, there are lots of options available to you. I recommend adding all of them! A good lighting plan needs layers – ambient, task and accent lighting. Each individual “zone” should have a different light, on a separate switch. To help set the ambience for intimate dinners and late-night conversations, ensure your lighting is on dimmers.

Hardware is another easy and low-cost way to add personality to a neutral kitchen. Consider mixing knobs and pulls for added interest, and try them in a trendy metal, such as brushed gold or bronze.

Principles at work

This particular kitchen was designed for a busy family, who gave us a classic-contemporary design direction. We opted for the timeless, enduring quality of neutral finishes. We enhanced its function by adding storage, increasing the work surfaces and adding a kitchen island. Extra-deep drawers ensure everything has a home. Reducing clutter was essential, since this open-concept home meant the kitchen was open to the adjoining living areas.

A well-planned and executed kitchen renovation will not only enhance your lifestyle while you live in your home, it will also increase its resale value when you decide to sell someday. Having a timeless design will pay off in the long run.

tip: CONSIDER YOUR LIFESTYLE AND HOW YOU TYPICALLY USE YOUR SPACE WHEN DETERMINING THE FLOORPLAN. DO YOU COOK A LOT, OR HAVE MULTIPLE CHEFS WHO LIKE TO GET BUSY? DO YOU HOST GET-TOGETHERS OFTEN? DO YOU REGULARLY REQUIRE YOUR KITCHEN TO PERFORM ALTERNATE FUNCTIONS, SUCH AS A HOMEWORK AREA OR HOME OFFICE? MAKE SURE THIS IS ALL PART OF THE PLAN IN THE DESIGN STAGE, NOT AN AFTERTHOUGHT. WORKING WITH A PROFESSIONAL KITCHEN DESIGNER CAN REDUCE MISTAKES, THE CONSTRUCTION TIMELINE, AND BELIEVE IT OR NOT, BUDGET, SINCE YOU’LL ONLY HAVE TO DO THE RENOVATION ONCE!

Kate Davidson, is Founder and Principal Designer of Kate + Co Design. For more than a decade, the multidisciplinary interior design firm has been providing complete residential and commercial design services throughout North America. kateandcodesign.com @kateandcodesigninc