We are so excited to share one of our latest projects with you. Over the past year, we’ve been working with Caroline from Top Knot Living to make her dream kitchen a reality. We helped her from the ground up, starting the project early before walls were even framed on her new dream home, working with Caroline to create custom cabinetry that maximized every inch of space and brought the vision of her dream kitchen to life!
The Colour Scheme
Caroline’s kitchen is truly the heart of her home! Her home serves as headquarters for a busy family life and her two blossoming businesses; Top Knot Living Blog and Top Knot Living Shop. Because many of her Pinterest-perfect photoshoots take place right in this very kitchen we thought a chic neutral colour scheme would be the perfect photo backdrop! Timeless, classic… Plus, a neutral backdrop also allows you to change up colour schemes and décor for the seasons, without the fear of clashing colours! Sometimes, you really do have to do it for the gram!
The white cabinetry features our furniture-style English framed inset cabinetry with our signature hand painted finish in Benjamin Moore Oxford White. So dreamy!
To add some colour and warmth to the space, we finished the central island in a gorgeous rift cut white oak with a raw, natural stain reminiscent of English limed oak.
Using Quartzite Natural Stone
Caroline has a busy family life, with two young children so for the countertops, we opted for quartzite natural stone. This material is more durable than marble, it’s actually quite similar to granite (in that it's more dense/durable), but you’re still achieving that lovely, sought-after marble look.
This material has a white background and a soft grey and caramel veining — perfect for Caroline’s neutral, sophisticated aesthetic. If you’re interested in learning more about quartzite countertops, check out our blog on selecting the perfect countertop for your kitchen!
Note: it is always recommended to seal your natural stone countertops - speak to your stone countertop fabricator for more details.Solving Layout Issues
As with any project, Caroline’s original kitchen layout did present a few spatial problems that needed to be addressed in order to create a space that functioned for both her work and family life. Our design team worked closely with Caroline to ensure the kitchen layout was both aesthetically pleasing and functional for day-to-day use… it’s kind of our specialty!
For instance, in the original layout, the door to the servery was too close to the window wall and didn’t leave enough space for cabinets and countertops. This is a typical issue we see in new construction homes, which is why it's crucial to involve your kitchen designer from the architectural planning phase. If we’re involved during the initial building and planning stages, we can identify any potential issues head on, and they can easily be mitigated in advance! Moving a door on blueprints is easy (and barely any cost!).... but moving a door after it’s been drywalled – now that’s expensive!
Believe it or not, selecting the right appliances is another crucial component of the kitchen layout. We helped Caroline determine the best suited appliances for her aesthetic, the function and the correct size that would fit seamlessly in the space and look proportional. Not to mention the original kitchen layout called for wall ovens right beside the servery door - unsightly in this dreamy, ethereal kitchen and a potential burn hazard for little ones doing laps around the main floor through the servery!
Choosing the Hardware
We are firm believers that hardware can either make or break a space. To go with Caroline’s timeless look, we chose polished nickel, as it offers a stylish, soft & warm look that complements the white cabinetry. Then to pull in that chic modern farmhouse vibe, we opted for classic black hardware on the island. Don’t be afraid to choose more than one hardware finish! It can help add depth and visual interest to your kitchen… just as long as it’s done right!
This particular kitchen hardware is from Armac Martin, UK which is more of an investment, but we kept the overall hardware budget relatively cost-effective by choosing less expensive hardware for the utility spaces like the laundry and mudroom. It’s all about using high and low pieces to maximize your budget and invest where it really counts!
Get Your Dream Kitchen With Bloomsbury
Love Caroline’s look? Find out how we can help you create a beautiful kitchen just like Caroline’s… tailored to you and your family’s unique needs and wants. Our team of designers will help you create the perfect layout, choose your ideal cabinetry, and find stunning hardware to complete your space. Contact us today to find out more!
Kitchen Photography: Kassandra Arbour Photography
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