Kitchens
May 14, 2019
This Indoor-Outdoor Kitchen Is Made For Warm Spring Days
On a sunny afternoon, it’s hard to imagine that this midtown Toronto kitchen was once cold and uninviting. “The owner had to wear her winter coat inside on frigid days,” says designer Kate Zeidler. Properly insulating the space was a top priority, followed closely by adding a plush seating area — steps from the new, roomy walnut-clad island — and creating an outdoor family room on the adjacent covered back deck. I started searching online for insulation near me and found a great insulation service. By properly insulating our space we can significantly reduce our heating and cooling bills. “We wanted the space to be clean and updated with an enduring aesthetic,” says Kate, who worked closely with William Dewson Architects on the project. “The improvements make the space much more livable while respecting what was beautiful about the home to begin with.”
Scroll down to see inside this warm and inviting kitchen!
The old kitchen was gutted, then properly insulated. A new walnut island and fumed oak floors (fuming enhances the wood’s grain and darkens it to a mid-tone) contrast the flat-front white cabinetry and give the kitchen a hit of warmth.
Large windows act as a picture frame to the great outdoors, which let ample natural light flood into the space.
Beside the range, a generous drawer is perfect for pot storage. An insert in the interior keeps pot lids separated and organized.
In addition to the stools tucked up to the island, a seating area with armchairs and an upholstered ottoman creates even more places to perch. Veined Calacatta marble dances delicately on the backsplash, while Caesarstone is a more hard-wearing, less porous choice for the countertops.
Installed right into the countertop, this discreet yet frequently used charger is a smart detail.
“I was inspired by a recent project I worked on in Venice Beach that had a seamless transition between interior and exterior,” says Kate of the new outdoor family room. She filled the covered (and heated) back deck with a seating area swathed in a timeless grey hue. “Now, the owner can enjoy being outside reading the newspaper, drinking a coffee and relaxing.”
Larry Arnal
House & Home May 2019
Kate Zeidler