Kitchen Transformation 2019

Our clients couldn't wait until their dark, cramped, dysfunctional kitchen was completely gutted.  The wall to the family room was removed to allow for a larger island with seating for 5.  The window was extended to 10 feet to let more light in with views of the beautiful backyard.

Here are the before photos:

Here's what our clients' kitchen looks like now.   I received an email the day after they had a party telling me how thrilled they are with the transformation.  This kitchen is perfect for entertaining!

Kitchen Storage

There is an incredible amount of planning that goes into a each of my clients' kitchen designs ... before colours and materials are even considered.  The one item that every new client asks for when we start to plan their new kitchen is:  more storage!

Every square inch of space is utilized which means incorporating innovative storage solutions.  Here are a few of my favourites:

 In this base cabinet drawer, pot lids and small pots are neatly organized.
The frying pans and lids are stored in the drawer under this one. 

Pull-outs containing spices, oils and vinegars are really handy.  

A very effective use of space, pull-outs come in 3" and 6" widths.

Lazy Susans have come a long way, baby!  Here is a base cabinet shelving unit 

that stores in the reachable corner.  

This is the tray insert in my own kitchen.  Makes it so easy to find the tray you're looking for.  I use these inserts to organize cutting boards as well.

Are there storage organizers that you can't live without?  Please leave a comment.  I'm always  looking for new ways to make a kitchen more efficient.  

I post on Instagram on a regular basis.  You can see the progress of my current client renovations and projects, and learn about new items and tips.  Please follow me on IG: @tobibrockwayinteriors

Kitchen Transformation

Hope everyone had a wonderful Mother's Day!  I thought it was the perfect occasion to focus on one of the most important rooms in the house where busy moms (and dads) cook delicious meals.

My clients purchased this 8-year-old house in Port Dalhousie with the intention of immediately renovating the kitchen.  There was nothing wrong with the existing kitchen except that it didn't have the style or functionality that my clients desired.  Luckily, they were able to sell the ENTIRE kitchen - cabinetry, countertops, microwave and plumbing fixtures on kijiji so there was nothing added to landfill in this project except the backsplash!

Before photos

My clients' wish list included:  additional storage with cabinetry to the ceiling, a larger island that would fit 3 stools, a more contemporary style and most importantly to these pasta lovers - a pot filler.

In order to accommodate a larger island and more storage, the partition wall that separated kitchen from the dining room was removed and the pantry extended 12".   The island could now be 7' long, allowing for 3 stools as well as deep drawers and a microwave. The island was rotated around so that anyone sitting there would face the window rather than the refrigerator wall.

After Photos

White and grey colour scheme is created with taupe-grey hardwood flooring, white cabinetry, grey island, polished marble-like quartz countertop and grey stools.  My clients love the light, airy feeling with glass cabinets, lantern pendant lights, open range hood and LED pot lights

 The enlarged island is able to contain the wine cooler, built-in microwave and pot drawers. 

In order to bring the "Wow" into this kitchen, we found a fantastic grey-white patterned backsplash tile.  

 Smart storage solutions ensure that function also has a role in this beautiful kitchen.  Easy access to spices and cooking oils makes it fun to cook!

All photography by Brian Yungblut Photography

My clients are thrilled with their new kitchen.  What do you think?  I'd love to hear what you have to say so please post your  comments below.  

If you'd like to receive notification of my blog updates by email, please subscribe in the top right corner.

If you have a room that you'd like to transform and you require assistance, please don't hesitate to contact me for a design consultation.  You can email me or go to my website.

Indoor vegetable garden for your kitchen

Last year, while watching Dragons' Den on TV, I saw an incredibly innovative solution to year-round fresh herbs and veggies in your home:  the Urban Cultivator.  Interested in learning more about this novel appliance, I contacted their head office in Vancouver.  The size of a wine fridge, it can be built into the cabinetry of a new kitchen renovation like a dishwasher, or it can be a stand-alone appliance on wheels.

 

I think this is perfect for vegetarians and those people concerned about eating fresh, healthy home-grown greens year-round in Canada.  The distributor for the Urban Cultivator is Appliance Love,  located in downtown Toronto and Mississauga.

Looking forward to hearing your feedback.  Do you think this is something that will one day be as essential to the modern kitchen as the refrigerator and stove?

Please visit my website Tobi Brockway Interiors Inc. to see my portfolio and for more information on how we can help you with your own residential interior design project.

Fireplace facades and more

From time to time, I'll be highlighting a product or supplier that I've worked with on some of my clients' projects, that I think would be of interest to you.  Today, I'd like to tell you about ErthCOVERINGS, a North American leader in the distribution of high quality, natural stone veneers.

Stone veneers

I've specified ErthCOVERINGS stone veneer for fireplace facades.  Their lightweight stone covering product comes in a multitude of beautiful stone combinations and is easy to apply to smooth surfaces.  Here's a photo of my client's fireplace.

 Latest offerings

ErthCOVERINGS has recently introduced a combination of raised and inset forms to create 3-dimensional surfaces that install seamlessly and can be painted over in any colour.  A great alternative to stone, backsplash tile or wallpaper.  Absolutely stunning!! 

Let me know what you think.  Could you imagine these in your home?


Please visit my website Tobi Brockway Interiors Inc. to see my portfolio and for more information on how we can help you with your own residential interior design project.

Cambria Quartz Event

Some of you may have seen or heard the advertisement for Cambria Quartz's Ask-a-Designer event held on Saturday.  I was invited along with fellow CDECA member, Jeannette Wisby, to participate in Cambria's flagship showroom located at 39 Parliament Street.  

Here is the meeting room where we met with customers to help select quartz, kitchen cabinetry and paint colours.

I have been recommending quartz for kitchens and bathrooms for almost 10 years and the choices in colours and patterns have grown exponentially as its popularity has grown.  I've written articles and on-line columns on the advantages of quartz versus granite or marble - 100% non-porous which makes it totally maintenance free with anti-micro-bacterial properties. 

The showroom is absolutely fantastic and I encourage you to check it out the next time you're at St. Lawrence Market (only a 15 minute walk away).  Here's a photo of me demonstrating the various edge profiles in one of the many rooms showcasing quartz, including a wine cellar.  

Please visit my website Tobi Brockway Interiors Inc. to see my portfolio and for more information on how we can help you with your own project.

Interior Design Show 2012

This past weekend, IDS12 was in town and I scoured each aisle on Trade Day to source new and exciting finds. My clients with renovated kitchens and bathrooms know that I love backsplash tiles - they're the easiest and most economical way to add "wow" to your space. Here are a few that are worth noting:

Each if these tiles from Saltillo Tiles is actually rounded, giving a very cool look. For those of you who don't like patterned kitchen backsplashes and prefer a single colour effect, these tiles still provide a "wow". The smooth texture makes them easy to clean, another consideration when selecting tile for the kitchen.

For those of you who like pattern, these tiles from Orro Mosaics would look amazing in a bathroom!

A combination of ceramic, steel and glass in a dazzling contemporary pattern:

For a more traditional bathroom, imagine this backsplash on the wall behind the mirror. Beautiful!

Stay tuned for my other finds.......

Latest in kitchen appliances

Recently, I was among the lucky eighteen kitchen designers invited to attend an event at Summerhill LCBO given by Thermador to introduce their new Steam & Convection Oven. A fabulous lunch was prepared with step-by-step instructions by Chef Cory Vitello from Toronto's The Harbord Room, using this unique appliance. I have a Thermador wall oven with microwave and warming drawer in my own kitchen and absolutely love it.


Here's a photo of Chef Cory Vitello preparing to start the meal.

Here I am totally absorbed in tasting the first course. That's me in the animal print top. I had a chance to chat at length with my table mate, guest Monica Schnarre, successful Canadian model (seated at the end of the table).