Ask A Designer™
Ask A Designer™: Gillian Atkins’ Best Advice For Updating A Tired Wood Kitchen
Published on April 22, 2026
In this edition of Ask A Designer™, Gillian Atkins, senior designer at Lynda Reeves Design Studio (LRDS), shares advice for refreshing a dated kitchen. Take a look!
Q: I want to make our small cottage kitchen impactful and arty. I don’t have the budget for a full renovation, so I’m working with what I have. Also, my husband loves wood, so painting the cabinets is off the table. I struggle with the pendants over the island — should I buy something larger and more vintage? Can you help? — P.S., Vancouver
A: You don’t need a full reno to make an impactful change. Start with your island; the shape is odd. Remove the existing one and replace it with a new dark, rectangular island or a more budget friendly freestanding cook’s table.
Hopefully, your floor run underneath the island. If not, repair it or make sure the new island or table covers the gap. This will allow you to install one large, vintage-inspired pendant centred over the island. You may need to adjust the placement of the existing electrical box. I know your husband doesn’t want to paint the wood, but you could have the cabinets stripped and re-stained a much better shade, as shown in the inspo photo. I would strip and re-stain your ceiling beam as well.
Remove the microwave and cabinet above your stove and install a proper vent hood and duct cover, then invest in a microwave drawer that you can install somewhere else. Add a runner and a pair of stools in a lighter colour. Once you’ve made these changes and your husband sees how good it all looks, he’ll be happy. When you can afford it, buy a new counter-depth fridge. Good luck!
1. 30″ 590 CFM vent hood in Matte Black by GE Café, $1,994. The Home Depot Canada. 2. Glam counter stool in Faux Leather Beige with Antique Brass Base by Maison Corbeil, $500. Must Société. 3. Dianna chandelier in Midnight Black by Visual Comfort, $431. Union Lighting Montreal.
4. Ian kitchen island by Four Hands, $6,929. Arcadia Modern Home. 5. 2’6″ x 8′ Arbor Natural Machine Washable runner by Dash & Albert, $203. Wills & Prior. 6. Oil-based Interior wood stain in Aged Barrel by Varathane, $36/946 mL. The Home Depot Canada.
Jason Stickley (Gillian’s portrait)
House & Home