The Before
When Hellen first met her clients, Jeff and Claire, they were new parents and new homeowners. “Jeff is a composer and Claire a book editor for LACMA [Los Angles County Museum of Art], so they both had a creative flair and a willingness to be bold. They wanted a user-friendly, easy-to-clean space that was, ‘Modern meets vintage/’60s-inspired,’” she explains. Jeff and Claire also requested a coffee zone and a space to display their favorite cookbooks since they are avid cooks and coffee drinkers.
The Reveal
The updated kitchen feels clean and bright, thanks to light Caesarstone countertops, a white tile backsplash, and a fresh coat of white paint. The tambour effect on the island and the terrazzo-style floor reflect modern trends and a nod to retro style. The results look like no expense was spared, but Hellen made some strategic decisions to keep the project on budget. “The number one design decision we made for the sake of budget was keeping everything that worked or worked well enough,” says Hellen. “Since the placement and functionality of the sink, range, fridge, and pantry/island worked, we left that alone.” By sticking with the existing layout and plumbing setup, she avoided a costly reconfiguring of the space. “We also kept the existing parquet flooring throughout the house, which worked so much better with the final Cal-coastal meets mid-century-clean design.” Finally, IKEA cabinets fitted with Reform doors and a budget tile backsplash helped lower the cost of materials.
Get the Look
For a kitchen refresh that’s both on-budget and on-trend, borrow some of these clever design ideas spotted throughout the space. The tambour effect on the island is essentially sheeted, half-round dowels in an alder finish. “Being on sheets, it was easier to install,” Hellen explains. To cover the tall sides of the pantry, long half-round dowels were installed individually. Are you ready for an affordable kitchen change? Switch out just the lower or upper cabinet fronts, rather than replacing the cabinets themselves.
