ELEGANCE & CHARM a kitchen dream twenty-six years in the making
TORONTO CENTURY HOME
A Touch of
of elegance It has been twenty-six years since Rose Fitzpatrick purchased her Brampton area century home. In May 2016, Rose decided that it was time to upgrade her kitchen. For almost three decades, the space had remained untouched and in its original condition. The existing kitchen was dated, and lacked functionality. The fridge was bulky and protruded into the entrance of the kitchen, there was very little working counter top space, and the cabinets stopped about two feet short of the ceiling. Being the hub of her home, Rose’s dream of a renovation had been in the works for quite some time. During events, her kitchen is always the gathering place of choice among family and friends. Often a century home can provide many challenges during the renovation process. Wanting to ensure her project fell into the right hands, Rose began the search for a qualified design team. Through recommendation, Rose visited the Chestnut Grove Design Studio showroom. During the initial design discussion lead by Principal Designer, Francesco Giampietro, Rose knew that the team understood her vision and anticipated the challenges of her project. This dream renovation project required a complete teardown and rebuild. The kitchen would need new floors, wall adjustments and reconfigurations, ventilation, lighting, new appliances, and cabinetry. Rose wanted to honour the rich heritage of her home by creating an elegant design with traditional elements. Her vision was a new kitchen that would harmonize with the character of the house, provide function, and organization with modern appliances that wouldn’t seem out of place.
A N B G U LE IL D W -O A U LL T
BROOM CLOSET
24” UPPER
24” MICROWAVE BASE
30” APRON SINK
3
0
”
IN
16” BASE
16” BASE
24” UPPER
A S N T C GL OV O E E R D N E IN R
H 31 O ” O D BU FA IL N T
8 3/4”
DISPLAY CABINET
24” UPPER
15” GARBAGE DRAWER SYSTEM
33” COUNTER DEPTH FRIDGE
33” UPPER
24” DISHWASHER
SADDLE STOOL
25 1/2” CREDENZA
SADDLE STOOL
30” DOG FOOD & BOWL CABINET
Francesco and Interior Designer Cassandra Brandow believe in creating designs that are tailored to each client’s individual personality and lifestyle. During the consultation process, the team learned about Rose’s fondness for all things antique. She enjoys browsing for antiques and has her own collection of antique furniture at home that she acquired throughout the years. Rose and her husband also have two large, beautiful dogs, who inspired design details in the new kitchen. Considerations had to be made when thinking of building materials to keep the space durable and dog-friendly. Elegant meets timeless. Through completing on-site visits,
it was apparent that the size and location of both the fridge and stove contributed to making the kitchen feel even smaller than it really was. The fridge stuck out into the kitchen entrance about 10”. This was a major problem and one of Rose’s main concerns. Francesco and Cassandra needed to plan strategically to create a solution for fitting modern appliances into a space that was not originally built to accommodate them. To address Rose’s concern the designers suggested shifting the entire kitchen to the right, centring the fridge on the wall away from the entrance. This pushed the existing stove from the centre of the wall to the corner. To correct this, a 45-degree wall was to
be built across the corner to create the proper space for an angled stove. Replacing the fridge with a new built in counter depth model, and shifting the stove to the corner created a smooth path of circulation making the kitchen now feel larger and more spacious. Looking to the walls, there was plenty of ceiling height available in the kitchen, but the existing cabinetry stopped two feet short. The design team suggested stretching the cabinets to the ceiling to create a sense of grandeur. LED inside cabinet lighting was added to the design with glass door fronts to create ambience. The LED lights create a glow on the ceiling and give the space a light and airy feel. Next on the list, Rose wanted to address her counter space, and find ways for it to be increased. Ample counter space was essential! By relocating the stove and fridge, there was now counter space available to the left of the fridge for a coffee bar credenza. The credenza is also an area for the toaster, keeping the small appliances together. Angling the stove created equal counter space to both the left and right. To free up the counter to the right of the sink, the microwave was relocated and built into the cabinet under the counter top with a large potato drawer below. A tall and slender utility broom closet was build into the narrow space beside the microwave for additional storage and organization. “Strategic and technical planning are key to using every inch of the kitchen in the most efficient way possible. No space is too small,” says Francesco Hosting family and friends in the new kitchen was still a very important design consideration to Rose. Centred in the existing kitchen was a large
Right: Apron front sink. Oil rubbed bronze faucet and hardware. Sink cabinet with antique finish and sculpted decorative kick detail. Below: Image of original 26 year old kitchen sink area before renovation.
wooden circular dining table. The kitchen table was used more than the formal dining room, and many fond memories were created there. Friends and family would sit around the table and share conversation while meals were being prepared. However, the existing table was too large for the kitchen and took up valuable space. In the new design, the table was replaced with a sleek stonetopped island. The island was designed with enough space to house the dishwasher, an eighteen-inch garbage can drawer system and two small stools. Having the garbage system located in the island directly across from the sink makes for an easy cleanup. The addition of the island to the design greatly increased the prep space. Housing the dishwasher and garbage system in the new island required some plumbing adjustments, but it freed up valuable wall space, and gave Rose more room for drawers beside the sink. The island not only replaces the dining table, but it
creates a functional central area where many people can now participate in preparing a meal. The final item on Rose’s wish list was a cabinet for the family dogs. In the existing kitchen beside the door to the backyard, rose had two large rubber bins sitting on the floor to hold the dog food and elevate the food bowls during meal time. The bins were an eyesore and created clutter in the kitchen. When Rose told Francesco and Cassandra about a cabinet she envisioned with food storage for the dogs, the final piece of the puzzle was put in place: a standalone wood furniture piece. Fully functional, the top-drawer stores towels and toys while the bottom drawer stores the dog food. The middle drawer holds two food bowls. Once opened, the drawer is equipped with a locking mechanism to hold it in place during use. Rose’s large Golden Retriever and Newfoundland dogs now have a functioning piece
of furniture, where food can be concealed when not in use. The inside is lined entirely with aluminium for easy maintenance and cleanliness. The dog food cabinet is a free-standing piece. Built like furniture, it is finished on all sides and can be moved to any room. Having reworked the layout of the kitchen and all the functional aspects of the space to better suit Rose’s daily needs, there was only one thing left to do – the final touches. To start putting together the colour pallet the team asked Rose to first purchase her new floor tile. This would be used as a foundation for creating the custom cabinetry colours. Traditionally, century homes would have hardwood floors, but with two large dogs in the house, and the door to the backyard located in the kitchen, this high traffic area required something more maintainable. Francesco and Cassandra suggested using a tile with a wood plank pattern and texture. Rose set out on her search for the perfect flooring and fell in love with a tile that had a warm distressed wood look. With this new tile in hand, the team began creating the cabinetry colour pallet. A soft, warm off-white and a rich, deep chocolate brown colour were pulled from the tile. All the main kitchen cabinetry is finished in the off-white colour, Coconut Cream with a Chocolate Glaze applied using the dry brush technique. For a richer traditional old-world look, a beadboard centre panel was added to the lower doors and drawers of the kitchen. To complement the dry brushed white cabinetry, which created a sense of light and openness, the walls were painted in a soft grey to keep the space feeling bright. To begin bringing antique elements and style in to the kitchen, Rose chose to purchase a white apron front fireclay farmhouse sink. Being located below a large sunny window, the sink became a design feature and an opportunity for the design team to create a cabinet with unique character. Much like the dog food cabinet, the sink cabinet stands alone as a piece of furniture and is designed with a sculpted decorative kick and detailed posts. The sink cabinet was finished in the rich chocolate Chestnut Grove custom colour Bourbon Coffee with light distressing and added patina for age. The tailor-made dog cabinet was also finished in the same antique style to mesh with the sink area. To tie both the Coconut Cream and Bourbon Coffee cabinetry colours together, an elegant Cambria Quartz countertop in the colour New Quay was chosen. The stone is a combination of light greys,
off whites, and neutral brown earth tones swirled together around specks of black and silver stone. For the final touch, oil rubbed bronze hardware was chosen in a classic style cup pull and knob. To further enhance the sink cabinet and create an impactful focal point, the bright window above the sink required a new decorative frame. The challenge was to design a dressing that would make the window appear larger. Francesco and Cassandra decided to take the existing frame off
the window and replace it with two decorative finish panels complete with lower corbels. Above the window a niche box was added with a sculpted valance, which complements the hood fan. LED lights are located in the niche for additional lighting and display area. The window sill was dressed in the Cambria, New Quay stone ledge for an easy and maintainable surface for plants and mementos. The finished result is a new kitchen that blends into the ambience of the house, with the vintage charm that
Rose always dreamed of. The new kitchen is light, bright, elegant and full of character. Now the entire room is completely functional, with more organized storage space and areas for food preparation. After twenty-six years of dreaming of the perfect space, it’s a kitchen design that Rose can without a doubt, say is her own.
CLIENT REVIEW | CHESTNUT GROVE DESIGN
special thanks BY ROSE FITZPATRICK
June of this year I walked through the front doors of Chestnut Grove and never looked back. The moment I walked in I knew that this was in the right place. The entire atmosphere at Chestnut Grove is Fabulous. Cassandra and Franco are Outstanding Designers, to me they are more than designers they are Artists. Incredibly passionate about
“Chestnut Grove Cabinetry & Design helped make a 26-year dream become a reality for us.� what they do and how they create, they can look outside the box! You can not help but get energized when you are around them. As we walked through the showrooms, the studio and the work shop, I was blown away by the creativity and the process, in which they follow to produce such unique and wonderful cabinetry. All the staff are incredible. Gerry and Dan the installers were amazing and meticulous when it came to installing our kitchen. They were also wonderful with our two dogs! As we were doing a full kitchen renovation, (a complete gut) I knew we would have a few challenges along the way. With every challenge, Cassandra, Franco, Gerry and Dan found the solution and created in incredible transformation. I can not believe it is the same room!! Every time I walk into our new kitchen, I have a huge smile on my face as to how beautiful and functional the space has now become. We are so impressed with the quality, professionalism and craftsmanship that everyone at Chestnut Grove has shown to us, we will be hiring them again when we start the process of building our retirement home. They will be creating cabinets for the workshop, designing the kitchen and the bathrooms. A hugely talented group of individuals and I am so glad that we had the privilege of having our kitchen created by them!
L Get the
ook
If you’re looking to create an elegant space with charm and character, this combination of colours, textures, and finishings is a great place to start when thinking of the overall aesthetic for your design. Beadboard panels on the lower doors and drawers breaks up the cabinetry by adding a traditional element to the room. A dry brushing paint technique further enhances the lines and ages the cabinetry, creating a feeling that sets this style apart from other kitchens. A classic detail can also be added by using oil-rubbed bronze hardware, with a rich deep shade like the drawer and cabinet pulls used in this space. Faucets, sinks and appliances shouldn’t be overlooked when pulling the style together. A large farmhouse sink is not only practical, but it’s also exquisite and a great focal point in this bright and airy kitchen. BRIGHT FLORALS & SEASONAL Think warm rich browns and neutral creams ACCESSORIES ACCENT when designing with vintage charm in mind. AN ELEGANT AND
Traditional Faucet
Hardware Richelieu
Hardware Richelieu
NEUTRAL COLOUR PALLET
Chestnut Grove Custom Colour
BEAD BOARD
Chestnut Grove Custom Colour
BOURBON OIL RUBBED BRONZE COFFEE Chestnut Grove Custom Colour
Hardware Richelieu
A classic colour, exclusive to Chestnut Grove. Pair it with any shade.
Coconut Cream with a chocolate glaze to enhance lines.
With Patina added for age, texture and character. Used on both standalone cabinets.
Carefully selected knobs and cup pulls add classic character.
Cambria Quartz Stone Top
FLOOR TILE
Lowes Canada Porcelain Tile
COCONUT CREAM
Beautiful swirling brown, grey and cream create a neutral pallet.
Equisite Natural Timber Ash porcelain tile from Lowe’s Canada.
NEW QUAY
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Chestnut Grove Design Studio | chestnutgrove.ca | 416.252.8848 40 Adesso Drive, Vaughan Ontario L4K 3C6