A home for the long haul
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The owners of this south Burlington home resolved when they bought it that it was going to be their forever home. So their top priority in the remodel was not only to accommodate their current and near-future needs — they were expecting their first child, and a second would arrive in the next couple of years — but for years to come.
Along with more and better designed space, the wish list also included a cool, sophisticated design scheme of serene neutrals, natural textures and sturdy materials, made to look good and stand up gracefully to the everyday predations of active toddlers. They called in designer Lisa Kooistra of LK Designs to mastermind the update.
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As with most of the new space, the kitchen is elegant but designed to be easy-care and durable. Caesarstone counters are impervious to spilled juice or messy art projects. The materials in the room — wood, stone, warm-toned metals — work together to give the kitchen a relaxed, unfussy sophistication. The backsplash features a limestone wash that gives an organic stone-like finish, while the island features a frame of square timbers that resemble a trestle table. (Only environmentally certified materials were used in the project, and Kooistra sought out local suppliers and sources that use environmentally sustainable practices.)
The dining room, situated where the old kitchen used to be, is roomy enough for a custom-built table big enough to seat eight comfortably, with a sideboard tucked into an alcove that houses everyday servingware, a bar fridge and open shelving for favourite pieces. The grey paint of the cabinetry reappears in touches in both the kitchen and family room, helping to subtly pull the three rooms together.
The family room, entered under a gently curved archway, is where the family spends much of its time together. A picture-frame TV above the gas fireplace provides artwork when not in use, a more attractive alternative to a standard black TV, says Kooistra. On each side of the fireplace, cane-front cabinets add more storage and a touch of texture.
Reviews and recommendations are unbiased and products are independently selected. Postmedia may earn an affiliate commission from purchases made through links on this page.
Article content
The owners of this south Burlington home resolved when they bought it that it was going to be their forever home. So their top priority in the remodel was not only to accommodate their current and near-future needs — they were expecting their first child, and a second would arrive in the next couple of years — but for years to come.
Along with more and better designed space, the wish list also included a cool, sophisticated design scheme of serene neutrals, natural textures and sturdy materials, made to look good and stand up gracefully to the everyday predations of active toddlers. They called in designer Lisa Kooistra of LK Designs to mastermind the update.
Article content
As with most of the new space, the kitchen is elegant but designed to be easy-care and durable. Caesarstone counters are impervious to spilled juice or messy art projects. The materials in the room — wood, stone, warm-toned metals — work together to give the kitchen a relaxed, unfussy sophistication. The backsplash features a limestone wash that gives an organic stone-like finish, while the island features a frame of square timbers that resemble a trestle table. (Only environmentally certified materials were used in the project, and Kooistra sought out local suppliers and sources that use environmentally sustainable practices.)
The dining room, situated where the old kitchen used to be, is roomy enough for a custom-built table big enough to seat eight comfortably, with a sideboard tucked into an alcove that houses everyday servingware, a bar fridge and open shelving for favourite pieces. The grey paint of the cabinetry reappears in touches in both the kitchen and family room, helping to subtly pull the three rooms together.
The family room, entered under a gently curved archway, is where the family spends much of its time together. A picture-frame TV above the gas fireplace provides artwork when not in use, a more attractive alternative to a standard black TV, says Kooistra. On each side of the fireplace, cane-front cabinets add more storage and a touch of texture.
