Approximately 3 years ago, my husband and I started the renovation of our rancher-style home. We added a garage, created a larger laundry room with a side door entrance, extended our kitchen out into the backyard and renovated the main bathroom. Let’s just say the renovation, which took months of hard work, sweat equity and patience, did pay off. We are so happy with the end result!
If you are living through your own renovation, this is something you have to keep reminding yourself. The months of disruption that you experience during the renovation are mostly forgotten when you are enjoying the end results of your dream kitchen or living space.
And it truly is our dream kitchen.
If you want to appreciate how far our modern kitchen has come, here is a before photo:
Kitchen before
The old kitchen was not laid out very well and it was not comfortable for two people to be cooking together due to its small size. The corner cabinets were not easy to access and there were only 2 1/2 drawers.
The design process started with us having drawings done by Mitchell Baker, owner of Karnak Pro Builders in North Vancouver. He envisioned a kitchen with a view of the forest behind our house. He designed a space with a vaulted ceiling in the 11.5 ft x 17 ft wide extension area, building with the original pitch line of the existing roof to create a grand indoor/outdoor living area that provided ample natural light.
And here is what the kitchen looks like now!
Kitchen after from the same view point. Photos by Maria Killam
Kitchen After
We were able to use our existing stainless steel appliances, but we did buy a new hood fan so it would be integrated into the kitchen and be out of sight. I wanted to create a contemporary, streamlined design for this kitchen so that the focus would be on the view out of the large windows.
Looking out into the back yard from the kitchenDining area with window bench. Chairs and table from IKEA. Chandelier from BOCCI
When we have company over for dinner, they automatically go sit on the window bench. And I love to enjoy my weekend morning coffee here while browsing through my decorating magazines.
I wanted the view to be the focal point, not the hood fanWalnut cabinets surround the serving bar with Martha Sturdy decorative bowl and vase
This counter space serves as a bar and a sideboard when we have company over for dinner.
Martha Sturdy charger and vase dress up the serving bar. Wire basket: HomeSense
My good friend Maria Killam who writes the blog Colour Me Happy took the photos and wrote about our modern kitchen renovation on her blog here.
If you would like help selecting the finishes for your kitchen or bathroom renovation, you can purchase a design package from our Shop page or contact me here.
