Robert Magda: Before & After: Gloomy Garage to Light and Airy Kitchen

Wednesday, April 29, 2015

Before & After: Gloomy Garage to Light and Airy Kitchen

This kitchen space started out as a single-car garage, but had been poorly converted to a bedroom. Carpet had been glued straight over cement. Cheap paneling had been put over the studs and was hanging off in places.

Before: The single-car garage had been poorly renovated for use as a bedroom.

Regardless of the final use, this space was in desperate need of a little TLC. But being the largest room in the house and backing up to the living room made it the perfect spot for a kitchen where family could gather and entertain. Converting it to the heart of the home required several key phases.

First, the long wall separating this room from the living room was removed. A beam and wooden columns were used in the opening, creating a rustic vibe. The dark wood beam creates contrast and effectively frames the white kitchen.
An all-white palette was used for the new kitchen space. Floor-to-ceiling white beadboard walls went up for texture and a little vintage charm. White lower cabinets went in, along with a white farmhouse sink.
White and stainless open shelves were used in place of upper cabinets for a modern take on the traditional open shelving found in farmhouse kitchens. Open shelving in the kitchen creates a sense of airiness, and provides easy access and display space for everyday dishes and glassware.

The focal point of this kitchen is the large live-edge wood island that anchors the room. The blue-green base gives the white kitchen a welcome pop of color, and the island top not only warms up the white, but also creates a convenient and attractive workspace.
Accessories like a colorful patterned rug and vintage glassware on the shelves bring personality into the all-white room.