Before and after of this
Home Type: House
Project type: kitchen
style: Colorful, maximalist
Skill level: Professional
Perfect for rental: no
When interior designer Laura Hall moved into her end of terrace house over eight years ago, she knew the whole place needed a makeover – especially the kitchen. “Our previous kitchen was small, ungainly and very dated,” she explains.
Remodeling a former kitchen might have been a daunting task, but it gave Laura the freedom to start with a clean slate. She's known for filling her spaces with maximalism and surprising, complementary colors and patterns, and that was the goal for her kitchen as well.
“We wanted to create a bright, open and multifunctional space – a place to cook, socialise and spend time with the kids. In my mind I had a vision of the space I wanted to create. The final design is exactly what we wanted and we're very happy with it,” says Laura.
The couple had already been working with an architect on a downstairs extension and remodel of their home, and he provided them with plans for their new kitchen, which they used. “We worked with a great builder who helped us refine the plans and create the space we wanted,” she says.
They chose blue Shaker-style cabinets from B&Q, which added depth to the room while complementing the pink tile backsplash – these colours coordinate perfectly with the Rabarber wallpaper from Fashion Wallpaper in the adjacent dining room.
While Laura worked with contractors, she also took on a fair amount of work herself. The DIY project she's proudest of at this home was installing tile in the middle of the hardwood floor. “I love to try everything, so this was a real accomplishment,” she says. The bold pattern, set against the straight, classic lines of the hardwood, showcases Laura's talent for mixing and matching different aesthetics in perfect harmony.
The new kitchen cost about $8,000 to complete, and the entire project (i.e. the entire downstairs renovation) took about four months from start to finish. “I love how spacious and bright the rooms are, and I love the sunlight that comes in through the skylights,” she says.
The new kitchen showcases just a little bit of Laura's amazing design aesthetic – check out Apartment Therapy's full home tour to find out more.
This post originally appeared on The Kitchn. Check it out here: Before and After: Striking navy cabinets and floral wallpaper instantly transform 'outdated and clunky' kitchen
