A Kitchen Designed for Cooking and Connection

Canterbury Kitchen Renovation

Opening Up a Longtime Family Home

You don't need to have all the answers before starting a renovation. Knowing what isn't working—and being open to exploring the possibilities—is often enough to get started.

That was certainly true for the homeowners of this longtime family home. After living there for many years, their children had grown and moved out, and they were ready to update the home for this next stage of their lives.

The original 1960s kitchen was small, dark and designed for one cook. It was closed off from the adjacent dining and living rooms, storage was limited and the appliances had reached the end of their useful life. The homeowners knew they wanted a bright, well-functioning kitchen with better storage and space for people to cook and gather together. What they didn't know was how to get there.

They came into the process open to ideas and trusted us to explore what was possible within their home and their budget.

There were also two non-negotiables: the original plaster mouldings in the dining room and the hardwood flooring throughout the dining and living areas had to stay. With a tight renovation budget, we needed to be thoughtful about what we changed, what we kept and where their investment would make the biggest difference.

Opening the kitchen to the adjoining rooms transformed not only the kitchen, but the way the main floor functioned. The new layout turned what had been a one-cook kitchen into a space that could comfortably accommodate three cooks, while improving storage and making it easier for family and friends to gather without separating the people preparing the meal from everyone else.



The result is a brighter, more connected kitchen that works for the way these homeowners live today, while preserving the original details they still love about their longtime home.

Thoughtful Details That Make the Kitchen Work

Good kitchen design isn't just about how the space looks—it's about how well it works.

The new layout was planned to comfortably accommodate three cooks, with an island that provides additional workspace, storage and a natural place for people to gather. Two-toned cabinetry helps keep the kitchen feeling bright while adding visual interest, and multiple lighting zones provide the flexibility needed for food preparation, everyday tasks and entertaining.

The homeowners' existing dining table was also incorporated into the new plan rather than replaced. Together with the preserved hardwood flooring and original plaster mouldings, it helped the renovated kitchen feel connected to the adjoining rooms and to the home the clients had enjoyed for many years.



Our Role

Space Planning & Design • Drawings • Material & Finish Selections • Fixture & Furnishing Selections • Sourcing & Purchasing

• Budget Management • Contractor & Trade Coordination • Renovation Management • Installation & Styling