Eat-in Kitchen

By Rebecca Hill, Courtesy Canadian House & Home

An outdated eat-in kitchen gets a fresh face in a budget-savvy makeover.

THE PROBLEM: The eat-in kitchen in Meredyth and Brad Hilton's new house was stuck in the 1970s. The 12-by-18-foot room was dated by such elements as dark wood trim, old, dark tiling on the floors and walls, a low, panelled ceiling and a mirrored wall in the dining area. The kitchen lacked adequate storage and counter space, and valuable floor space was taken up by the door to the basement stairwell, which opened into the kitchen beside the fridge.

THE SOLUTION: A renovation that effectively overhauled the kitchen both stylistically and functionally: Cabinetry, finishes and appliances were replaced, and in the dining area a cosy, diner-style banquette and display cabinets were installed. Using a French bistro theme and a crisp palette of black, white and yellow, Meredyth and Brad created a fresh and welcoming work and entertaining space.

THE COST: $19,000

THE BRIGHT IDEAS: The couple freed up 12 square feet of space in the kitchen by moving the entrance to the basement stairs into the adjoining hall. In the work area, a false ceiling of plexiglass panels was ripped out, taking the room height from 7-1/2 to nine feet and creating space for taller cabinetry. Custom-made Shaker-style cabinets were installed, fitted with clever storage solutions that include a built-in garbage drawer, flip-down storage tray in front of the sink for soap and scouring pads, a 27-bottle wine rack and a shelf for the microwave that frees up valuable counter space. Unattractive fluorescent tube lighting was replaced by a contemporary ceiling fixture and halogen potlights built into the bottom of the cabinets.

The counters received a facelift, in true bistro style, of gleaming black granite. "Granite looks very clean," says Meredyth, adding that it's very "forgiving," like a giant cutting board and trivet. The tip of the peninsula, left free of undercounter cabinets, now acts as a casual, bar-like eating spot. Flagstone, a material more often found outdoors, was used to tile the cooking area floor. "Because of what we do, we wanted to bring some of the outdoors in," says Brad (the couple own a landscape design company).

In the dining area, the mirrored wall was replaced with a facade of bricks (thin slices of actual bricks to minimize thickness and weight), which was painted a glossy white (Benjamin Moore 967). Adding a built-in banquette allowed the table to be moved from the centre of the space to the edge, freeing up more floor space. Its seat handily flips up to act as storage for the table's extra leaves. The banquette is flanked by brand new display cases fronted with antique glass doors. "We have an interesting collection of glass and ceramics that's worth showing off," says Meredyth. The cabinets also provide storage space for serving dishes.

Decorative archways installed above the banquette and on the opposite wall above the stove help tie the kitchen and dining areas together. The archway above the bench also gives the eating area a more intimate look and hides potlights that illuminate the table.

Since the kitchen doesn't get direct sunlight (the window looks onto a heated sun porch that opens onto the backyard), Brad and Meredyth chose a cheerful bistro yellow for the walls (Para Paints P738-4). Two-tiered shutters on the window, wider and higher (up to the ceiling) than the window, make it appear larger and "make interesting use of the dead space above the window," notes Brad.

Decorative details give the room an elegant, polished look. Subway tiles line the walls below the cupboards. The cabinetry is fitted with vintage-style chrome hardware, which reiterates the French bistro look. The seats of the dining chairs are upholstered in a sophisticated black and white toile, and a matching bolster pillow offers a visual respite from the graphic stripe on the banquette. And a long white tablecloth makes this "bistro" feel like it's ready and waiting for the lunch rush.