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The design idea for this Nova Scotia kitchen renovation was delightfully specific: “Ralph Lauren Polo Club meets Martha Stewart,” says Victoria Armour, cofounder of Stil James.
Luckily, she understood the assignment. The client, a mother of three teenagers, wanted a space where the extended family could gather and make memories, and what better room to start with than the kitchen?
They Wanted to Add European Details to Their Craftsman-Style Home
“It was very craftsman-style when she bought the home,” Victoria says of the original room. So they got to work on the new aesthetic: “British-inspired, layered, but leaning slightly feminine.”
The Layout Worked, but the Design Details Needed a Refresh
The home’s main level is open-concept, so the kitchen, dining room, and living area needed to speak to one another while still feeling defined and unique. Since the layout worked, a full gut reno wasn’t necessary, and they were able to retain much of the original millwork.
Details like connecting the trim with the ceiling and installing a panel-ready fridge made the kitchen feel complete. Victoria’s biggest challenge was making the kitchen feel brand new, so she introduced fresh colors to help.
First Step Was Finding Paint That Fit the New Aesthetic
“We started by looking at a few color palettes that fit into our aesthetic and saw she was really drawn to the blues,” Victoria explains. “Next up was the stone; she fell in love with the honed Taj Mahal quartzite — practical, beautiful, and easy on the eyes.”
To continue tying the two rooms’ color palettes together, Victoria used Farrow & Ball’s “Selvedge” on the island and Matchstick on the cabinetry. The custom Kravet stools with Mulberry blue check fabric and blue-painted legs also go well with the living room’s blue hues. The Zellige tile backsplash and unlacquered brass hardware add a vintage touch to the space, too.
The Kitchen Is Now the Center of the Home
It took seven months to complete the renovation, and though there were a few design hurdles along the way, it made the experience that much more rewarding.
“It was exactly what [the client] was hoping for. The quality of the original kitchen was excellent, but it wasn’t to her taste,” Victoria shares. “This kitchen is a true testament that with the right design direction, not everything needs to be a total rework. She loves to host, and this kitchen has become the true center of the home for weekend trips and holidays.”
Inspired? Submit your own project here.
This post originally appeared on The Kitchn. See it there: “English Cottage-Inspired” Touches Revive a Craftsman-Style Kitchen
Shop This Before & After
Paints
Farrow & Ball’s “Selvedge”
Farrow & Ball’s “Matchstick”
Further Reading
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