Photography by Virginia Macdonald; design by Erin McLaughlin and Tamara Robbins Griffith

Before: Outdated kitchen
This stuck-in-the-past kitchen hadn’t been updated since the ’60s.

Photography by Virginia Macdonald; design by Erin McLaughlin and Tamara Robbins Griffith

After: European look
Now a serene and functional space, the kitchen’s coloured IKEA upper kitchen cabinets echo the calming blue tone on the ceiling. The white IKEA oven was integrated into the lower cabinets for a seamless European charm, and 18-by-18-inch porcelain tiles were cut and laid in a herringbone pattern for a cheap-chic flooring solution.

To see more of this kitchen's renovation, click here.

Photography by Donna Griffith

Before: Awkward layout
A large bulkhead made this kitchen layout awkward and cooking difficult.

Photography by Donna Griffith

After: French bistro
The oven was upgraded to a commercial-style gas range and moved to the other side of the room. Apart from functionality, the kitchen owes its wow factor to the mixed cabinets – high-gloss white uppers and chartreuse lowers from IKEA – and a bevelled subway-tile backsplash, resulting in a room that blends the charm of a French bistro with the sleekness of a hip restaurant.

To see more of this kitchen renovation and design, click here.
Before: Not the right elements
Dated cabinets and oppressive, dark floors didn’t seem at home in this century-old country house.
After: Rustic look
Taking the home back to basics, the owners kept the kitchen’s layout but installed white Shaker-style cabinets and exposed the original pine floors. Touches of wood keep the warm and rustic look.
Before: Cramped kitchen
This cramped kitchen was the definition of mishmash, with a poor layout and a serious lack of storage.
After: Timeless look
A wall came down to create a dining peninsula with a sturdy Corian countertop, while ceiling-height Home Depot cabinetry solved the storage issue. Bianco marble subway tiles add sparkle and play off the feminine blue covered stools. Both are timeless choices that will look stylish for years to come.

To see more of this kitchen's renovation and design, click here.