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.  

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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.

Office Sanctuary

When my client asked me to design her home office, she had very specific requirements:  it needed to remind her of Palm Springs with light flooring, incorporate her favourite complementary colours - blue and orange - and include white walls on which to display her photography.

Since the office is located in the basement, I recommended vinyl plank flooring that replicated bleached wood.  A floating desk - supported behind the drywall with heavy-duty supports - and floating shelves, painted the same colour as the walls, was installed.  As well, storage was placed under the desk. 

On the other side of the room, we created a sitting area with sofa, ottoman, custom cabinet and TV.  Here is where the blue and orange colour scheme really came to life!  The woven rug was designed to mimic the fabric in the toss cushion.  My client loves Lego so the shelving unit at the far end holds my client's finished Lego models.  The rotating group of photographs will eventually hang on the white walls.  In the meantime, the highlight is the artwork she found in Montreal showing a collage of melted Lego pieces.  It looks amazing!

My design philosophy is not to create cookie-cutter rooms but to design spaces that reflect my clients' personal tastes and preferences.  This home office is exactly what my client envisioned for herself.


Please subscribe to my blog and share this post with your friends and neighbours.  And if you'd like ideas on how to create your own home office, or any space in your home, please contact me for a design consultation. 

BEFORE AND AFTER - Powder Bathroom

Hope everyone is enjoying the respite from the frigid cold and snow that we've been experiencing in January.  Today, I'd like to show how to add "Wow!" to a powder bathroom.

When my Glenridge client moved into her home, the powder bathroom looked like this:

While it was tastefully decorated, it didn't reflect her style.  We were transforming her entire house from dark and traditional to contemporary with various hues of of grey.  She wanted to make sure that this room also reflected the new style.  As well, she had a mirror from her previous home that she wanted incorporated into the design. 

First, I selected a dramatic dark grey wallpaper that had flecks of silver in the pattern.  Chrome faucets, crystal knobs and crystal and chrome sconces added to the bling.  We were originally going to replace the ornate vanity but I suggested that money could be saved by finishing the vanity with a high-gloss charcoal paint.  Polished light grey quartz countertop and crystal knobs completed the vanity.  Here's the end result:

Can you believe it's the same room?  The same vanity?  In this case, all the elements combine to reflect glamour and glitz.  Sometimes, all I've had to recommend is a beautiful wallpaper to add "Wow!" to a powder bathroom. 

Please subscribe to my blog and share this post with your friends and neighbours.  And if you'd like ideas on how to transform your powder bathroom, or any space in your home, please contact me for a design consultation. 

New Beginnings

Welcome to 2018!  I haven't blogged since 2013, around the time that I moved from Toronto to the picturesque Niagara-on-the-Lake wine country.  The past 4 years have been incredibly busy as I had to reestablish my business with new clients, new suppliers and new trades.  I've met so many incredibly helpful and talented people and have worked on great projects.

For 2018, I've made the commitment to engage my followers on three social media platforms:  this blog, Facebook and Instagram.   And I want the content to be interesting so your feedback will be essential.  I'm going to focus on "Before After" stories of some of the projects I've done.  As well, I'm going to provide a step-by-step look at the renovation of my own laundry/mud room.  I'll cover all the trials and tribulations that one experiences during any renovation as well as give tips on how to make the process as stress free as possible.


To start the year off, we're launching a brand new website!  Click here to check it out.  Let me know what you think.

Wishing all of you a very happy, healthy and prosperous New Year!

Tobi

Kitchen Shelving Solution

Whether you celebrate Easter or Passover this week, you're likely to spend some time preparing food for family and friends.  Do you feel frustrated in your kitchen with hard-to-access items in your pantry? 

Recently, one of my clients who has just moved into her new home told me that she's so happy with the layout and style of the kitchen.  But she's immediately irritated whenever she opens a cupboard door.  The shelves don't move and many of her containers and packages are difficult to access. 

I suggested that she check out Gliding Shelf Solutions to see if they could convert her existing cabinets with custom pull-out shelves.   Imagine  opening up your cupboards and seeing this:

Please forward this blog post to your family, friends and colleagues.  Have a wonderful holiday!!

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.