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5 Nov 2014

My Scandinavian Minimalist Kitchen

It's time for my Fall in Love Room reveal.  I'm so happy with how far we've come with the kitchen in the past six weeks.  There are still a few things we need to finish and/or adjust, but I think you can get a good sense of how it looks.  The couple things that are missing are on order and we will be receiving the floating shelf that will go next to the uppers sometime this week.  Just a little too late for this reveal so I may have to take some updated photos a little later.  The kitchen turned out just how I hoped it would and I think it reflects the minimal Scandinavian look I was going for.  This is going to be another photo loaded post today, but since we've been working on this kitchen renovation since March.  I think it warrants an excess of photos.


Before, I get into more of the photos of our new kitchen here's a reminder of what the kitchen looked like when we first viewed our house (the house was tenanted previously).  I actually kind of liked these cabinets, but it was SO impractical.  The counters were so low that they had cut a hole into the floor to fit a dishwasher.

This is our first renovation of the kitchen.  My mom is still deciding whether she will end up taking these cabinets to use in her kitchen or whether she would like a DIY custom one like our new kitchen.  We'll definitely reuse the Caeserstone counters though.  This first renovation was a temporary kitchen.  We hacked together some off the shelf cabinets mixed with Ikea cupboards.  I think it looked okay, but the work triangle with the fridge on the other side of the island really didn't function well in a busy kitchen and that's what initially spurred the renovation.  I initially had asked the hubs to help me rearrange the location of the appliances and it somehow escalated into a complete renovation.  One of the main reasons for this was that we were able to get fully custom plywood cabinets with birch drawers and top of the line hardware for same price as or less than Ikea by designing everything ourselves and having a CNC make the cabinets and buying the drawers directly from a woodworker.  The best and worst part of doing it this way was that we could design everything ourselves.  I'm very good at coming up with ideas and designs, but can also be SO indecisive.



Here is the second version of our kitchen.  We added a walkout to a new deck, flipped the island around, moved the range to the former pantry wall and put a built-in fridge and pantries on the former range wall.

So now that you have the background on our kitchen escapades, here are all the detail photos.  I'm hoping to write another post that will show you some of the actual cabinet details (i.e., how we placed drawers, shelves, and a coffee nook into the pantries, the design of the cabinet doors, building in the fridge, etc.) later on.
I have a love hate relationship with this stove.  I love how it functions.  The dual fuel range is great for baking and cooking, but man is it ever clunky!  I really tried to find something a little more streamlined, but no one could guarantee that another range would work as well and Wolf only has wall ovens that are more modern.  The wall oven did not work for an under the cooktop installation as the door would have hit the floor when open.  It also seemed super wasteful to replace this range with the same oven just for looks.  We were able to build our lower cabinets a little deeper so that it stuck out much less.  Maybe I'll try and find some black knobs to replace the red ones.

This is the spot that's awaiting the shelf.  I ended up putting up the Ikea Ranarp sconce for now while we wait to see how the shelf looks in place.  I didn't want to do the junction box until the shelf is in place and we determine just the right spot for it.  I also reused this art I made awhile ago.  Again, that will likely be replaced in due time.  For now, I kind of like this cute little sconce and art pair.

These salt and pepper grinders along with a couple black knives (seen further down) were my Mother's Day gifts and I've patiently waited to use them until our kitchen was close enough to being done.

I'm still getting used to not seeing the mammoth stainless steel panel of the built-in fridge.  We waited a long time for the panels that are in place now.
This faucet is the real deal.  It's a classic and so well built.  I wanted to show you that it doesn't have a vegetable spray, but tilts so that you can clean every part of the sink.  The sink is a single bowl with very tight radius corners and an adjustable metal grate.
This is a print I got for the boys' room, but it somehow ended up here.  I'm liking it there for now especially with the Marimekko fabric/curtain next to it.  I've made some changes to our dining room over the past little while and will have to share that with you too.
 Just a pic to show you the view out the new French Doors.  Our neighbours have a forest in their city backyard and if you look carefully you can get a glimpse of the DIY cable railings on the deck.  We were able to save thousands by buying a sample set of doors that were used at a Home Show.  The colour on the exterior is not quite what I had in mind and I'll likely be painting them at some point.
The door to the basement stairs.  You can also see that we didn't finish patching the floor where we took out one of the small walls framing the opening to the kitchen.  It's on the honey do list.

Tech Guy really wanted the counter stools to stay.  I wanted to add some more cabinets.  You can see who won.

Finally, here's the view from the outside in.  We have a couple steps down to the main deck since the other back door is a couple of steps down from the kitchen (it's the one you can see in our mini mudroom).  You can also see that we ended up with in-swinging french doors since we didn't really have a choice when buying a sample set.  They work okay though since they swing fully flat against the interior walls.  Our window and door friend also said that this type of door is more weather tight for a home in Canada with our cold winters.

So that's my so close to being completely finished kitchen.  I hope you like it!  I'll try and get the sources for everything listed for you in another post.  I think this post is long enough already!  You might be surprised at how we sourced all these high end finishes and appliances at a fraction of the cost.  Thanks again to those of you who have been patiently waiting to see this kitchen renovation come together.  We're so close!

Don't forget to check out all the other great Fall in Love Room reveals happening all this week!
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday


59 comments:

  1. The makeover is incredible. Your kitchen is so bright and airy... You really did an amazing work!

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    1. Thanks so much! I'm glad to have it nearly done.

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  2. That was just so odd, tried to comment on here but it went to yesterdays post. Love love love your kitchen so much. It really is my dream kitchen.

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    1. Thanks Julia and I got your other comment too. :)

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  3. WOW!!!!!!!! anu it is stunning! it's so you and so perfect and white and beautiful!

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  4. Oh my...totally gorgeous! I love how stream-lined and modern it is, yet still feels like home.

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    1. Thanks so much! I'm glad you think it still feels homey since I know minimal spaces can sometimes feel cold.

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  5. Anu it is gorgeous! I'm sure you must be thrilled to have it finished (ok the missing shelf and the pendants). But it's very beautiful. I would have gone also with more cabinet space in the island instead of the stools. Men! ;) I like the crisp white and black combo and the fridge hidden is so cool. :) I look at the photos and think there's something missing but it's only hiding.

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    1. Ha! I may have my way yet with the extra cabinets. We'll see. ;) I'm actually glad to have a couple less stainless steel panels to clean.

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  6. Anu your kitchen turned out spectacularly. I love the minimalist feel it has. It goes so well with your house now. That french door is beyond amazing and I love the cabinets with the inset handles. I really love that you had the fridge built-in. That just makes this whole space look so clean and inviting. I really love the solid backsplash too. That is something I have on my mind as well. Love the marble counters and the faucet. That sink is just amazing and I am a big fan of your red knobs actually :) What a dream kitchen you have created!!

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    1. Thanks Katja! We have such a small kitchen with so many doorways that we thought long and hard how to make the space function best. I really love the solid backsplash.

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  7. Anu, this is perfectly lovely! I am totally crushing on everything here--also, the idea to flip the island is brilliant :)

    Amy | Club Narwhal

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    1. Thanks Amy. Flipping the island let us add the walkout which has been such a great feature for us.

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  8. Beyond beautiful. I love how the countertop extends to the backsplash. I would love to do that someday!!

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    1. Thanks so much Emily! The counters and backsplash are probably my most favourite part of the kitchen. :)

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  9. Oh, it's gorgeous! I love how non-kitcheny it feels - it just seems to blend into your home so seamlessly. I'm definitely pinning as inspiration for my real-deal kitchen reno. I'm so jealous you were able to do this reno do soon after your last one! That's so awesome.

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    1. Thanks Tanya! We were really fortunate to find the CNC manufacturer, but we had to put our basement reno on hold. Maybe we'll get to that this winter!

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  10. I am blown away! It's so bright and clean-lined - absolutely the farthest thing from the style of our house, but I love love love it! It is so perfectly YOU! The cabinets you designed are stunning and that marble is to die for!

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  11. Swoon!! It's so clean and fresh! I'm obsessed with your counter/backsplash!

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    1. Thank you Gabbi. I visited so many stone yards over a few months to find the marble and am super happy with it so far.

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  12. I love how clean everything is! I can't wait until we can do something similar and add double doors in our kitchen/dining room area. This is beautiful!!!

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    1. Thanks so much Jenn. The french doors added so much to the space.

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  13. Beautiful Kitchen. Just love the multiple transformations! Glad you came out with something so nice!

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    1. Thank you! It seemed a little crazy to be renovating the kitchen again, but I'm really happy with the end result.

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  14. Gorgeous!! Those countertops are beautiful. I really love that hooray print too!! Is it available for sale?

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    1. Thanks Colleen. The print is downloadable from this Etsy Store: https://www.etsy.com/shop/raeannkelly?ref=hdr_shop_menu.

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  15. so functional and stylish and clean and pretty. i can't stop looking at the photos!

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    1. Thanks so much! It's been so nice to finally have a kitchen that goes with the rest of our home/style.

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  16. Wow! Your new kitchen is incredible Anu! I love how streamlined the cabinets are and I'm drooling over your counters!

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  17. Stunning. Stunning. I loved that you showed the previous renters pictures. What a transformation you've tackled! Bravo.

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    1. Yes, it's been quite the process! :) I'm so happy that we're nearing the end.

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  18. This is stunning - I love those cabinets and counters. And that backsplash! Wow! It's just a stunner.

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  19. I loved your first reno but this is so pretty! I love your style so much!

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    1. Thank you Michelle! I'm so glad you like it.

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  20. What a gorgeous space! I'm so in love with your marble! And I was going to say that I liked the red knobs, until I saw that you don't like them :). I still like them, but I can see that they're not really "you" :) Amazing job!!

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    1. I think its just that they don't really match the feel of the rest of the space. It is a really great stove so I shouldn't complain. :)

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  21. Absolutely incredible! The epitome of Scandinavian Minimalist. Wonderful job. Love the view from the patio.

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    1. I do too. It's so nice to have a view in now.

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  22. I love so much the simplicity in everything you do. Always. It's just so good and so beautiful <3 You did an amazing job with this kitchen!!

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    1. Thanks so much Amy! Simple was a lot harder to do than I thought when we first started this reno, but I'm loving the end result.

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  23. Complete gorgeousness Anu!!! I love every selection you made. Those countertops are beautiful. I want to come have a seat and chat it up in your new kitchen! xoxo

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    1. You're welcome to come anytime! :)

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  24. Dang. Gorgeous! I'm kind of speechless actually - amazing.

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  25. Absolutely gorgeous Anu. It almost looks like its floating because of how unobstrusive the entire space is. You guys did an amazing job choosing all the details. I love seeing Scandanavian spaces. The french doors are fabulous!

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    1. Thanks Shavonda. I'm happy that you think it looks Scandinavian. It's what we were hoping for. :)

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  26. I could just stare at this all day, it's amazing! My dreams are made of Wolf ranges and marble so half of my staring is at your Wolf :)

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  27. i'm so happy for you anu that you have your dream kitchen <3 you deserve it <3 it's beautiful

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  28. Wow, this is amazing---especially that shot from the outside! I'm glad the bar stools stayed. I think they'll come in handy and the natural wood adds some organic earthiness to the overall design.

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  29. Oh wow - it is REALLY gorgeous. Crazy before and after! And I get that the stove may not fit with your total vision but I kind of love the pop of the red knobs :) I'm dealing with some stove issues right now and the big thing is venting. Is yours vented? I'm trying to figure it out but absolutely will not put a giant range hood over my island. If you decide to sell it and get a new one, however, I know someone in the market. (me) ;)

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  30. I came across your blog through Finnstyle, and I'm so glad I did! I absolute love your kitchen and all the kitchen accessories in your home! I just pinned a lot of pictures for my future home inspiration. I've been looking for a soup dispenser and salt and pepper grinders, and yours are exactly what I've been searching for! Could you tell me where you got them from?

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    1. Hi, the salt and pepper grinders are by Menu. I'm so glad you stopped by and thanks for pinning! :)

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  31. I'm in love! What an incredible transformation. That marble is delicious to my eyes!

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