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Traditional kitchen with modern edge

Traditional kitchen remodel cabinetry, countertop, cuisine classique, floor, flooring, hardwood, home, interior design, kitchen, laminate flooring, real estate, room, window, wood flooring, gray — Traditional kitchen remodel

Traditional kitchen remodel - Traditional kitchen remodel - cabinetry, countertop, cuisine classique, floor, flooring, hardwood, home, interior design, kitchen, laminate flooring, real estate, room, window, wood flooring, gray

Traditional kitchen remodel - Traditional kitchen remodel - cabinetry, countertop, cuisine classique, home, interior design, kitchen, room, gray

Traditional kitchen remodel - Traditional kitchen remodel - cabinetry, countertop, cuisine classique, floor, flooring, home, interior design, kitchen, room, sink, window, gray

Traditional kitchen remodel - Traditional kitchen remodel - cabinetry, countertop, furniture, interior design, kitchen, room, shelf, shelving, window, gray

Traditional kitchen remodel - Traditional kitchen remodel - cabinetry, countertop, cuisine classique, floor, flooring, hardwood, interior design, kitchen, real estate, room, gray

It often takes the eye of a designer to see the potential of a space, especially when it's a kitchen that hasn't changed for many years.

This project is a case in point. Although the owners wanted to update the original kitchen, they were reasonably happy with its layout. Architect Linda Brettler could see a better alternative, however.

"The existing kitchen had a U-shaped work area with a peninsula that effectively cut the kitchen in half. It felt chopped up and confined, and the peninsula blocked the view through to the outdoors from the adjoining dining room."

Brettler's solution was to wrap the cabinetry around the walls, with an island positioned lengthways. This allows for a circulation area on either side. It also makes the kitchen seem much larger.

Traditional kitchen remodel cabinetry, countertop, furniture, interior design, kitchen, room, shelf, shelving, window, gray — Traditional kitchen remodel

"It is sometimes surprising what you can fit into a kitchen," the architect says.

But this renovation was also about transforming the look of the space.

"Because this is a 1920s house in an historic preservation area, we wanted to introduce a little more character through the detailing. Cabinets on the exterior wall have furniture-style feet with small arches. And the island, with its chamfered edges and legs like mini columns, also resembles a piece of furniture."

This effect is reinforced by the choice of a rich teal-blue paint finish to contrast the white on the perimeter cabinets.

"The island is more highly lacquered for added durability and to create another point of difference," says Brettler. "And we chose a lighter quartz countertop with small embedded crystals that provide luminosity the whole kitchen glows."

Color also appears on the rear walls in the overhead display cabinets.

"The acid yellow has a bit of an edge to it that feels crisper and more modern than many other yellows," says Brettler. "We didn't extend the crown moulding all the way around the walls this also helps to keep the look fresh."

Hexagonal Calacatta mosaics are another unexpected, fun element in a kitchen that doesn't take itself too seriously.