Kitchen
Hidden Treasures
Photography: Stephani Buchman
Kitchen
Hidden Treasures
Genius storage solutions and clever surface treatments transform a Toronto home with a narrow footprint into a free-flowing space for a family of five.
Now you see it...
Photography: Stephani Buchman | DESIGN, Meghan Carter Design. MILLWORK, Distinctive by Design. CONSTRUCTION AND FLOORING, MDK Construction. WALLPAPER, Cole & Son. SCONCES, Union Lighting & Furnishing. CHAIRS, Decorum Decorative Finds. FAUX LEATHER BANQUETTE FABRIC, Kravet. BANQUETTE PILLOWS FABRIC, Robert Allen. VASE, Elte. PAINT, American White 2112-70, Benjamin Moore. DRAWER HARDWARE, Emtek.
Now you see it now you don't! That’s the kind of magic worked by designer Meghan Carter, who put creative storage solutions at the heart of this renovation. “What looks like panelling behind the dining table is now a wall of hidden cabinetry,” says Meghan. “It’s only eight inches deep, so it’s barely perceptible, but it holds lots of glassware, canned goods and vases.” Beneath the banquette, generous easy-open drawers hide the kids’ toys and craft materials.
Kid-Friendly
Photography: Stephani Buchman | DESIGN, Meghan Carter Design. MILLWORK, Distinctive by Design. CONSTRUCTION AND FLOORING, MDK Construction. WALLPAPER, Cole & Son. SCONCES, Union Lighting & Furnishing. CHAIRS, Decorum Decorative Finds. FAUX LEATHER BANQUETTE FABRIC, Kravet. BANQUETTE PILLOWS FABRIC, Robert Allen. VASE, Elte. PAINT, American White 2112-70, Benjamin Moore. DRAWER HARDWARE, Emtek.
The pathway between the table and peninsula is deliberately wide thanks to the banquette, which uses less floor space than chairs. “There’s no rug, so quick-dashing kidlets won’t tumble. And the banquette’s faux-leather upholstery is virtually indestructible,” says Meghan. The same is true for the moulded-plastic barstools. Even the wallpaper on the hidden wall storage is fingerprint-proof – something that’s great for young children (and the adults who do the wiping up!). Low-profile hardware is subtle so the cupboards blend into the wall.
Surface Style
Photography: Stephani Buchman | Marble FIREPLACE SURROUND, Cornerstone Marble & Granite. PILLOWS, Tonic Living. ACCESSORIES, Elite.
“Textured wallpaper is a great way to soften millwork,” says Meghan, of both the striated wallcovering on the storage wall above the banquette and the grasscloth on the fireplace wall. The brass mesh sconces, heavily grained plank table and brass-framed leather chairs give the dining area bistro-style cachet. For tonal variance and a historic appearance to the floors, the boards were finished in place. Gorgeous veining in the marble that Meghan chose for the new fireplace-surround serves as a focal point in the living area. She flanked the fireplace with built-ins to store puzzles, books and toys. Throughout the home, pillows in fun fabrics provide quick hits of pattern and colour.
Two-Faced Functionality
Photography: Stephani Buchman | PENDANT, Lampcage. Cashmere Carrara COUNTER, MSI Quartz. CABINETRY, IKEA. STOOLS, Elte Mkt. BOWL and VASE, Elte. HARDWARE, Emtek. FAUCET, Roman Bath. BRASS TRAY, MCD.
The four-foot-wide kitchen peninsula has cabinetry on both sides. The family uses the cupboards beneath the barstools to stow lesser-used seasonal items. At the far end of the peninsula, Meghan proposed a tower of back-to-back cabinetry: the kitchen-facing side holds a microwave and pantry items; the dining-facing side contains a bar fridge and barware.
Comments