Brass and Blue Boost a Toronto Kitchen
An apothecary cabinet-inspired island and a window banquette are among the highlights of this remodeled kitchen
The former kitchen island was topped with an electric cooktop and downdraft vent that took up most of the usable counter space. Ovadia put the new gas range on a side wall and designed a new island with plenty of prep space.
The designer says that since the previous island did not have space for counter stools, the family had become accustomed to sitting at the breakfast table, and didn’t want the new island to accommodate counter stools either. Therefore, Ovadia custom-designed an island with an apothecary cabinet-inspired back side. What looks like small drawers with glass hardware are false fronts concealing four doors that open for storage. The island base is a custom shade of blue made of Benjamin Moore paints.
The island is topped in quartz that mimics the look of marble. The corners of the island are edged in thin pieces of brass that complement the brass globe pendant lights above. “The brass edges are more than just decoration,” Ovadia says. “They also protect the corners of the island that are bound to get beat up in a family with two young boys.”
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The designer says that since the previous island did not have space for counter stools, the family had become accustomed to sitting at the breakfast table, and didn’t want the new island to accommodate counter stools either. Therefore, Ovadia custom-designed an island with an apothecary cabinet-inspired back side. What looks like small drawers with glass hardware are false fronts concealing four doors that open for storage. The island base is a custom shade of blue made of Benjamin Moore paints.
The island is topped in quartz that mimics the look of marble. The corners of the island are edged in thin pieces of brass that complement the brass globe pendant lights above. “The brass edges are more than just decoration,” Ovadia says. “They also protect the corners of the island that are bound to get beat up in a family with two young boys.”
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The former kitchen included a breakfast table in front of the bay windows that seated only four people. While this configuration worked for the homeowners and their two kids, it did not allow for extra guests.
To create more seating and storage, Ovadia designed a banquette that wraps around the bottom of the bay windows. The banquette cushions are covered in a blue commercial-grade velvet, and the banquette base opens for storage.
To create more seating and storage, Ovadia designed a banquette that wraps around the bottom of the bay windows. The banquette cushions are covered in a blue commercial-grade velvet, and the banquette base opens for storage.
Ovadia custom-designed a pantry with an integrated refrigerator made of bleached white oak. To the right of the pantry, a built-in desk provides a great spot for paying bills and writing grocery lists. The desk and glass-front cabinets above it are painted the same custom blue as on the island. A single pendant light above the desk adds another touch of warm brass.
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Ovadia designed the range wall to incorporate all of the materials and colors found throughout the kitchen. The backsplash is covered in a slab of marble-like quartz, the range hood is painted a custom blue and outlined with riveted brass, and a border of bleached white oak delineates the space. “The range wall is a feature wall that ties everything in the kitchen together,” the designer says.
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Shop for kitchen products
Kitchen at a Glance
Who lives here: A couple with two young boys
Location: Toronto
Size: About 350 square feet (33 square meters)
Designer: Dvira Ovadia of Dvira Interiors
Designer Dvira Ovadia says that most of the kitchen remodels she undertakes require knocking down walls to gain space and integrate living areas. But all that was needed in this Toronto kitchen was a better layout. “No walls had to come down; we just had to take full advantage of the space,” Ovadia says. “There’s now more usable counter space, more seats around the breakfast table and a built-in desk.”
The windows and refinished oak flooring were existing, but aside from those elements, the kitchen features all-new materials that mix classic style, a bold accent color and touches of warm brass throughout.
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