Kitchen
Erin McLaughlin's kitchen makeover
We're loving our EIC's gorgeous kitchen makeover.
Kitchen
Erin McLaughlin's kitchen makeover
Style at Home's editor-in-chief, Erin McLaughlin, undergoes a stunning kitchen makeover with Croma Design's winning plan.
When Style at Home ran a poll in our June 2011 issue asking readers to vote on the design for editor-in-chief Erin McLaughlin’s IKEA kitchen makeover, we were thrilled with the number of responses we received.
The winning plan came from Toronto’s Croma Design, who proposed a look of organic sophistication for Erin’s new space and included all her musts: light, stylish storage, chef-worthy appliances from Thermador and streamlined appeal. Here, the results are revealed: a room so layered and lovely that even Erin, our queen of elegant design, learned some lessons in the finer details in life.
The before photo
The original dark space slowly gave way to a room filled with light.
Starting points
When you’re dealing with a high-energy family, including one member who has definite ideas about home decor, you have your work cut out for you. Luckily, Ryan Martin, Amy Kent and Michelle Lamontagne of Croma Design are comfortable working with homeowners who know what they want, and are familiar with IKEA products and services.
Working in collaboration with IKEA’s installation services and the experts at Thermador, they came up with a plan for Erin’s kitchen makeover that was relatively simple. She’s fortunate enough to have all the space she needs, and the room had good bones. “The kitchen had a nice flow,” says Ryan. “All we needed to do was put the living and working areas into their natural places.”
The details
Thermador’s powerful wallmounted hood harmonizes with the professional series pro grand range and the decor. the griddle is currently the family’s favourite feature! Additionally, the appeal of a traditional bridge faucet is found in this contemporary Kohler purist version. Hand-forged rustic bronze pulls from Rocky Mountain hardware were chosen specifically for their elegance and linear modern shape that suit the stylish makeover.
Focusing the energy
Once the vision was in place, the team set to work demolishing the old and bringing in the new. IKEA’s Akurum cabinets were used in long banks to give the space a high-end custom look. The magic began to happen when the high-gloss Abstrakt doors on the lower kitchen cabinets and the island met the hand-forged bronze handles from Rocky Mountain Hardware. To soften the look and add a level of warmth, the Nexus doors on the upper cabinets and the pantry cupboards were sprayed in a dove-grey colour. The addition of stainless steel Thermador appliances, including an integrated dishwasher, flush-mount refrigerator and freezer columns, wine column and incredible chef-worthy range, allows Erin to indulge her love of gourmet cooking and easy entertaining.
The details
Many kitchen renovations incorporate drawers in the lower bank of cabinets, but Croma chose to stick with Ikea’s Akurum cabinets with high-gloss white Abstrakt doors for a visually seamless look. Ikea’s comfortable Glenn bar stools blend nicely with the aesthetics of the space and tuck away neatly under the counter.
Making the grade
With the help of IKEA’s installation services, Erin and Croma adapted the Akurum cabinets and added some custom elements. Erin fell in love with rustic revival handles and pulls from Rocky Mountain Hardware and the way they complemented IKEA’s modern kitchen cabinets. The upper Nexus cabinets received a coat of CIL Paints’ Designer Grey 50YY 63/041 to add warmth. In addition, the marble counters in the original plan were replaced with a quartz Hanstone for IKEA version, and the herringbone floor pattern was switched to one in keeping with the home’s Tudor look.
Eating area
A long-time fan of Niche Modern’s beautiful lighting options, Erin felt this
stunning chandelier was a true reflection of what she wanted the space to be: a mix of graphic lines, glossy good looks and artisanal touches. Meanwhile, the precise application of silk wallpaper from metro wallcoverings offers a lovely sense of opulence. It adds to the finished “furniture” look of the tall ikea kitchen cabinets.
Sitting area
Using the same stone as on the beautiful backsplash, Asia Marble & Granite book-matched and installed the calcutta michaelangelo marble from antica Tile & Stone’s vast selection for the fireplace surround. The perfection of the pairing makes the marble look like a piece from an art collection. Erin loved the fireplace that was in the kitchen, but wanted an updated, efficient version. Spark’s fire ribbon gas fireplace, with its contemporary appeal, fit the bill. Plus now it is complete with fireplace seating.
Finishing touches
In the end, the kitchen makeover couldn’t be more perfect for Erin’s family. Erin got the light, fresh look she wanted, with the seamless design sensibility that only experts could provide. From the stained oak gables that frame the cabinets to the kitchen lighting plan, the almost invisible in-ceiling speakers, the wine column and the herringbone motif, no detail was overlooked. Best of all, the efforts of IKEA, Thermador and Croma Design truly reflect Erin’s lifestyle. The kitchen interior is now the true heart of this home, where the family hangs out in the evening, doing homework, cooking and reading by the fire and playing with the dogs. It’s a perfect match, and isn’t that what the heart of the home should be?
A final detail
With everything in its place, Ikea's customizable Rationell Variera organizers help Erin's family keep the kitchen makeover neat and tidy,
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