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Kitchen Tour: An Open, Airy Space Made for Entertaining
Combining two separate rooms has improved flow and created a sociable open-plan kitchen, dining and seating space
Frustrated with their small (28 sq m) kitchen and its closed-off layout and sharp angles, the owners of this house turned to design and build firm Titus Contracting for help. Designer Ksusha Olson and her team took down walls and expanded the kitchen into a former dining room, adding 13 sq m and creating an open-plan layout with a large island for entertaining family and friends.
A beautiful and nuanced mix of white and wood elements creates a breezy, casual style full of warmth.
A beautiful and nuanced mix of white and wood elements creates a breezy, casual style full of warmth.
A 75cm gas hob was part of an appliance package that helped the homeowners save money on their renovation. A bespoke wood cooker hood is painted in the same paint as the cabinets for a cohesive look. The oak band adds a bit of contrast.
Open black metal shelving mounted on the wall on each side of the hood and by the sink also provides contrast, along with matt black cabinet handles. The perimeter worktop and splashback are marble-look Calacatta Lavasa quartz, blending with the white cabinets to allow the black details to stand out.
The island worktop is a marble-look quartz with lots of movement and subtle grey tones. “They wanted something more dramatic on the island,” Ksusha says. “They fell in love with that one first, so then we were trying to find something to complement it but not be as busy.”
Easily find and hire kitchen designers on Houzz.
Open black metal shelving mounted on the wall on each side of the hood and by the sink also provides contrast, along with matt black cabinet handles. The perimeter worktop and splashback are marble-look Calacatta Lavasa quartz, blending with the white cabinets to allow the black details to stand out.
The island worktop is a marble-look quartz with lots of movement and subtle grey tones. “They wanted something more dramatic on the island,” Ksusha says. “They fell in love with that one first, so then we were trying to find something to complement it but not be as busy.”
Easily find and hire kitchen designers on Houzz.
A 75cm self-cleaning double oven with a touch-screen interface sits to the left of the integrated double-door fridge with a freezer below. A tall pantry cabinet with three doors stands to the left of the double oven and includes a section with rollout shelves for easy access to dry goods.
A deep drawer beneath the double oven stores glass and plastic food containers. The upper cabinet above the double oven has dividers inside for storing bun tins and baking trays. An existing sliding glass door on the left connects the kitchen to the garden.
A deep drawer beneath the double oven stores glass and plastic food containers. The upper cabinet above the double oven has dividers inside for storing bun tins and baking trays. An existing sliding glass door on the left connects the kitchen to the garden.
An 80cm undermounted single-bowl stainless-steel sink has an integrated ledge and accessories, including a solid bamboo cutting board and a multipurpose roll-up dish drying rack. Double dishwasher drawers sit to the lower right of the sink.
A matt black pull-down kitchen tap with touch technology coordinates with a black metal pendant above and other black details. (The kitchen also includes new LED recessed ceiling lights that the photographer removed from these photos to help focus attention on other design elements.)
A large crockery cabinet on the right features pocket doors that slide in when open. It sits right on the worktop.
More: How to Start a Kitchen Renovation
A matt black pull-down kitchen tap with touch technology coordinates with a black metal pendant above and other black details. (The kitchen also includes new LED recessed ceiling lights that the photographer removed from these photos to help focus attention on other design elements.)
A large crockery cabinet on the right features pocket doors that slide in when open. It sits right on the worktop.
More: How to Start a Kitchen Renovation
The kitchen opens onto a casual dining area in what was once a breakfast room. The interior side of the island has a pull-out rubbish bin, six drawers and a cabinet with a lift-out mixer.
This wider view shows how the kitchen and dining area connect to a staircase that leads down to the home’s front entrance. “Previously, when you walked up those stairs, all you could see was basically the living room,” Ksusha says. “Now, you can see the whole main floor.”
A wooden built-in unit and a ceiling-mounted black metal shelving system help connect the dining space to the kitchen.
A wooden built-in unit and a ceiling-mounted black metal shelving system help connect the dining space to the kitchen.
On the opposite side, the kitchen is now open to the living room.
This floor plan of the former layout shows how the kitchen (middle far right) was closed off to the dining room (top right) and living room (top centre). An angled peninsula in the kitchen created an awkward layout.
When guests arrived at the top of the front entrance stairs (bottom centre), they saw the living room but not the kitchen.
When guests arrived at the top of the front entrance stairs (bottom centre), they saw the living room but not the kitchen.
Ksusha removed the walls and expanded the kitchen into the former dining room (top right). The former breakfast area became the new casual dining area. The angled island with a curved worktop adds an inviting spot for guests to gather around and feel connected to both the living room and the kitchen.
“I think my clients will enjoy this newly updated space for years to come,” Ksusha says. “Their renovated main level is not only beautiful with a perfect balance of warmth and brightness, it’s also functional.”
Tell us…
What do you love about this light and airy kitchen? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
“I think my clients will enjoy this newly updated space for years to come,” Ksusha says. “Their renovated main level is not only beautiful with a perfect balance of warmth and brightness, it’s also functional.”
Tell us…
What do you love about this light and airy kitchen? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
Who lives here? An empty-nest couple
Location Chaska, Minnesota, USA
Size 300 sq ft (28 sq m)
Designer Ksusha Olson of Titus Contracting
Photos by Kassi Mihm of K Andrea Creative
After knocking down walls (see the “before” and “after” floor plans below), Ksusha and the renovation team expanded the kitchen footprint and created an open layout.
“We were able to open up the space while keeping defined zones for formal dining, casual sitting at the island and a separate living area,” Ksusha says. “This new layout allows for formal meals, casual conversations with the cook and effortless entertaining.”
The new island is the hub of the space. It has an angled design that creates a roomier feel. A curved worktop on the seating end softens the look. At the other end, three cabinets with glass-front doors add storage and style.
“I suggested we add something with clear glass on this side of the island for visual interest,” Ksusha says. “Those cabinets have lights inside. I thought it would be a nice place to display decorative pieces or glassware.”
Meanwhile, a palette of white and wood elements delivers inviting, warm style. Two substantial bespoke oak cabinet sections in a natural finish are featured prominently. The volume on the left contains wall ovens, a panelled fridge and storage. On the right is crockery storage. The central base cabinets have a clean white finish. White walls with warm greige undertones, decorative wood beams, a white oak band on the cooker hood and wood-look luxury vinyl plank flooring round out the palette.
“The couple knew when they came to me they wanted wood somewhere, but weren’t sure they wanted an all-wood kitchen,” Ksusha says. “White felt neutral, timeless and bright. Adding the wood was a way to bring the warmth and a natural element. The ceiling was vaulted and tall, and we felt adding those beams would ground the room a little bit.”