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A Joyfully Vibrant Kitchen by Office S&M Echoes the Infamous Style of the Memphis Group

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In the early 80s, Italian designer and architect Ettore Sottsass founded Memphis, a group of artists and designers who became known for their bright and bold furniture design. It was active from 1980 to 1987. The group designed postmodern furniture, lighting, fabrics, carpets, ceramics, glass and metal objects.

Although many people ridiculed their work, the Memphis group were groundbreaking and have been regaining popularity. Their use of clashing colours, haphazard arrangements and brightly coloured plastic laminate was previously unseen, however today references norm core internet styles as well as move away from monotonous contemporary modern design trends.

So when Tamsen Chislett and her husband Max Lines decided to renovate the main floor of their Victorian terrace home in London they wanted to contrast the dull grey landscape of London outside with a joyfilled interior landscape full of colour.

The resulting interior by S&M evokes the beach huts of South Beach Miami and of course the playful approach of the Memphis Group. “The name of the project, MO-TEL, is linked to this sense of escapism,” says Catrina Stewart, cofounder of Office S&M. “The couple wanted the space to make them feel like they were on holiday.”

The renovation isn’t just about colour and form, though. Tamsin is the founder of the online fashion rental subscription service, OnLoan, which has a focus on sustainability. She wanted to apply this principle to the design of her home.

Accordingly, the countertops in the utility room and two bathrooms are crafted using a material from Smile Plastics—a company that repurposes waste such as chopping boards and milk bottles. The kitchen worktop is a terrazzo made from marble offcuts laid in pigmented cement.

Another challenge was breaking the newly open space into different functional zones. “We did this with the bespoke furniture pieces, which are like characters—Tamsin refers to the pantry as another member of the family,” says Stewart. Each piece is designed to fulfill numerous purposes for the family, negating the need to fill the space with furniture. 

A Super Secret Hidden Kitchen by Studio Bazi

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Kitchen Assembly

This 355-square-foot apartment in Moscow has ingenious storage allowing entire rooms to unfold behind a series of doors. 

The apartment is home to a bachelor, who wanted to maximize the space and efficiency of his tiny flat in a historic building in the center of Moscow. The solution? Plenty of built-ins and ingenious hidden storage, designed by Alireza Nemati, founder of  Studio Bazi. 

The hallway connecting the living room to the bedroom seems fairly ordinary: a row of oak doors on one side, and three almost unnoticeable sleek white doors on the other, under the stairs.

Here’s a closer look at its hidden compartments.

How to refresh your kitchen under $100

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There are 3 key elements that would elevate your kitchen without breaking the bank. Sometimes we have to work with what we got – so why not freshen up your kitchen space with these options.

  1. Pedastal marble fruit bowl:https://www.wayfair.ca/dining/pdp/fleur-de-lis-living-beason-fruit-bowl-fdll6618.html

Simple and sculptural – This piece for $75.99 would be a great styling piece that would immediately elevate your kitchen space. It sets itself apart from the typical fruit bowl for its pedastal base. Great opportunity to style a fruit arrangement!

Initial Image

2. Dome pendant : https://www.wayfair.ca/lighting/pdp/menu-1-light-single-dome-pendant-ndfr1012.html

Another great opportunity to modernize your kitchen for $91.99. These would look great in clusters over the island and also add a nice dramatic effect to the overall space. The neutral tones would make this piece a timeless addition.

Initial Image

3. Stacked cutting boards: https://www.wayfair.ca/dining/pdp/edelman-mango-wood-cutting-board-edmn1270.html?piid=48048692%2C48048693

Having a series of cutting boards ready for entertaining – is a must for any kitchen space. By layering various cutting boards you have a wonderful fresh styling prop that functions as a cheese platter. Starting at $32 … a small amount for such a dramatic change!

We would love to hear your thoughts – want other items would you add to spruce up your kitchen space ?

The Great Gold Kitchenette

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Gold kitchens aren’t for everyone, but if you are looking for a luxurious and modern glistening place to do your food preparation and cooking, then you’re going to love this gold kitchenette designed for a small waterfront condo in downtown Toronto.

Installation of the gold millwork, cabinets and kitchenette frame.

Our fabrication and installation team did a fabulous job in creating this golden kitchen hub that looks like something you can see in a 1920’s or 1930’s speak easy.

Simple and really functional, we hid all hardware and indicators, except maybe for the stove and the sink, that this was a typical kitchen so that the rest of the apartment could function as a social setting and without looking too domestic.

AFTER
Before and After installation

It is not instantly obvious, we have hid the fridge outside of the kitchenette masked with the surrounding walls – notice how plenty the space is for storage and cooking without the typical heavy fridge component. We believe that any person who loves living minimalist, but still wants to show personality would like to really be in this space.

Gucci Wall Covering

25 Super Sleek Minimalist Minimalist Kitchen Design Ideas You’ll Want to Steal

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Sleek minimalism has been described as design at its most basic, stripped of decorative and ornamental elements, colours, textures and patterns.

Its purpose is to make the function stand out and be the focal point. From a visual standpoint, minimalist design is meant to be calming and to bring the mind down to the basics.

A good minimalist kitchen design maximizes the space available, as evidenced in these simple sleek white kitchens. Check out these 25 Gorgeous Minimalist Kitchen Design Ideas You’ll Want to Steal

5 Metallic Finishes for Your Kitchen

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Metallics as a colour that appears to be metal, be it stainless steel, brass, bronze, gold and the emerging trend of rose gold. The visual sensation usually associated metallics is the shiny surface coupled with either a polished or brushed finish.

The metallic effect cannot be produced by the simple use of any solid colour because the metallic effect is due to the material’s brightness that comes from the surfaces finish.

Types of Metallic Finishes & Colours include Aluminum, Brass, Stainless Steel, Raw Steel, and of course Gold, Silver, and Bronze.

Aluminium Finishes

Aluminium Finish Options

Stainless Steel Finishes

Stainless Steel Finish Options

Bronze Finishes

Bronze Finish Options

Brass Finishes

Brass Finish Options

Steel Finishes

Steel Finish Options

One of a Kind Gold Kitchens

Whether you’re looking for a traditional kitchen or a one of a kind design, renovating the most popular spaces in your home needs the best ideas and complete understanding of design process. Our mission is to educate and guide clients through the dynamic, complex and demanding process of the kitchen modernization industry while ensuring they have access…

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30 Dining Room Moments That Will Give Life to Your Home

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Wallpaper is having a major moment in the design world. See how interior designers are styling dining rooms with wallpapers and bespoke wall coverings to give a fresh spin on the classic home decor icon.

25 Super Sleek Minimalist Minimalist Kitchen Design Ideas You’ll Want to Steal

Sleek minimalism has been described as design at its most basic, stripped of decorative and ornamental elements, colours, textures and patterns. Its purpose is to make the function stand out and be the focal point. From a visual standpoint, minimalist design is meant to be calming and to bring the mind down to the basics. A good minimalist kitchen design maximizes the…

by canadianwoodworkingco

25 Gorgeous Exposed Brick Wall Kitchen Designs You’ll Love

Our kitchen experts have gathered 25 of the best exposed brick feature walls in one place Who doesn’t dream about having a gorgeous exposed brick wall in their home? Exposed brick brings a sense of warmth, character, and texture to a space. In our opinion a brick wall is one of the most versatile interior design…

by canadianwoodworkingco

Best Wall Paper Companies in Canada

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What are the best wallpaper companies for your home in 2021

Are you looking for the best wallpaper companies and stand-out patterns for your next home decor project? Whether it’s covering a whole room or used to create an accent wall — knowing the right wall covering supplier can totally transform the look and feel of a room.

Our designers have listed the ultimate list of top 20 wall paper companies, design houses, and online retailers that you need to know about before buying wallpaper for your home.

1. Newwall | Born of a passion for sourcing distinctive and luxury wallpaper, NewWall caters to those who share an enthusiasm for the highest-quality designs, coolest trends in Toronto, historic prints and more.

Visit NewWall Website

2. York Wallcverings | For over a century, York Wallcoverings has been manufacturing wallpaper from the same factory location in the picturesque Susquehanna Valley of Pennsylvania. Today, York is the oldest and largest wallcovering producer in North America supplying residential wallpaper and commercial wallpapers and wall decals that can be found across 85 countries worldwide.

Visit York Wallcoverings Website

3. Woodchip & Magnolia | Nina is the creative force behind Woodchip & Magnolia, a design house famed for its striking one of a kind wallpapers, fabrics and bold fearless pattern. Aged just five she told her school teacher she was going to be a wallpaper designer and that’s exactly what she did. Fast forward 20 years Nina alongside husband Paul launched Woodchip & Magnolia with a determination to do things their own way. With an online showroom, her designs are available to order the minute they are unveiled online.

Visit UK Website

4. finest wallpaper | Daniel Twigis the founder & creative force of North America’s leading online wallpaper companies. Originally from the UK, Daniel has made his home in Vancouver, Canada, and personally chooses each delightful wallpaper design to feature in their online store. Daniel and his dedicated team strive to offer the highest level of service to our many customers in the US and Canada. All wallpapers are sourced from leading international brands,  we hope you enjoy browsing their awesome collections. 

VISIT WEBSITE

5. Gucci Wallpaper | Discover a collection of wall papers from the luxury fashion brand GUCCI. Yes, Gucci capital G designs and manufacturers silk, vinyl, and paper wall coverings for the home. Explore their unconventional patterns from runway fashion pieces: Tiger, Floral and Decorative arts.

The best part of buying Gucci is enjoying their beautiful gift wrapping for each roll complimentary of Gucci House.

SHOP GUCCI WALLPAPERS

Engineered stone versus Granite – What option works best for my kitchen?

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When renovating a kitchen one of the most dreaded tasks is to find the perfect counter top that suits your lifestyle. It is a common mistake for clients to be lured into a beautiful white calacatta marble for its overall cleanliness, aesthetics, and luxury. Even though these qualities seem like the perfect match – a counter top that patina’s over time is typically not the goal ( queue in flash back to red wine spill). Let us give you a couple of options to consider while shopping for the perfect stone:

composite/ engineered stone counter top


Engineered stone
Composite materials or better known as engineered stones have come a long way even in the past few years. Tile and slab manufacturers have been able to use high resolution technology to mimic stones that would make even designers do a double take. One of the major benefits using engineered stone – easy care, resist stains, and overall looks fairly real to the untrained eye.If you are a client keeping budget in mind this is a great alternative for you. We have some tips to consider when shopping:

  1. Shop from established companies – Make sure you are shopping for counters that come with a warranty. Some composite stones in the market may look beautiful as a slab – but its make up could be poorly made and could absorb stains permanently. Some companies such as Ceaser stone, Neolith, and Cambria are a great start when looking.
  2. Make sure the selected stone has a customer service team for repairs – Keep in mind that anything and everything happens in the kitchen – if there is a scratch, it chips or stains… do you have a number to call ?
  3. Pick an engineered stone that suits your life style – Drawing back to the white calacatta stone…. even though its a composite material – it is still not as forgiving as other stone finishes out in the market. If you are someone that entertains frequently this may not be the best option for you. Beauty fades – counters could last forever?

Granite
Although Composite stone have a lot of pros – with its low maintenance and price point …. the technology still has a ways to go for it to truly be authentic. Granite is an amazing option if you would like to use a natural material with a bit less maintenance. Keep in mind some engineered stones are sometimes pricier than natural stone slabs – so you may be getting a better deal for a show stopper piece.
What is the difference between marble and granite ? Well the pores / air pockets in granite are much tighter – making it more difficult for stains to seep through (unlike marble). The general public perceives granite as glossy stone that has a bunch of speckles and is found in every suburban home – but you be surprised when you see a granite that has lovely movement like the image below-

  • Blue Roma polished granite stone


Here are some notes to consider for granite materials:

  1. Create a good relationship with your installer – Natural stone needs to be sealed in a polished finished every 5 years. This isnt a very expensive process – but it is important to upkeep it you want it to last a life time. 
  2. Shop around – You are shopping for natural stone – The stone could be sold in various locations – but could look completly different. Do your research and check out a couple of places before committing to a slab – imagine you are shopping for a work of art.
  3. make sure you buy enough – As I said before – its a natural stone cut from the earth – you may not find the same finish ever again – make sure you installer counts twice before purchasing.

As you can see both options are great for your kitchen renovation…. just keep in mind your budget, maintenance, and the overall vibe you are going for!

3 key factors to consider when remodelling your kitchen

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Ultimate Kitchen Renovation Advice from our Mississauga Kitchen Design Team

The kitchen is the heart of a beautiful home and has evolved into the central place for socializing and entertaining. It is also one of the most important aspects that home buyers evaluate when buying, which has led to much quoted real estate industry saying, “kitchens sell homes.”

Whether you are looking to remodel to create a kitchen of your dreams or wish to renovate to sell your home, there are some important factors you should consider.

  1. Research on options: A kitchen remodelling project is challenging and calls for detailed planning of all aspects from layout, cabinets, appliances, lighting to plumbing. It is also important to know what to expect in terms of cost based on the materials, layout and other specifications you have in mind. Attending neighborhood home tours, visiting home stores, kitchen showrooms or online design forums can help you get some ideas.
  2. Determine your budget: Each kitchen remodelling project has its own features, quirks and fixtures while the luxury and budget options are endless. A starting point for a medium-sized remodelling project, according to an estimate, can be between $20,000 and $50,000. An upscale kitchen can cost more than $80,000.

    NOTE: Kitchen cabinets and appliances account for up to 35 percent of your kitchen remodelling cost while installation/labor costs are also significant. Experts recommend setting aside 20 percent of your budget for unplanned expenses.
  3. Quality is key: While there is a range of budget friendly options in terms of appliances, lighting and cabinets, it is important to not compromise on quality. Choose high quality materials and appliances that are durable and provide a high return on your investment. You can also explore repurposing or upcycling your old, good quality materials or cabinets to save on money and avoid wastage.

The best quality countertops, backsplash, floor tiles, cabinets and appliances add not only to your kitchen’s aesthetics but boost functionality and resale value.

A Super Secret Hidden Kitchen by Studio Bazi

This 355-square-foot apartment in Moscow has ingenious storage allowing entire rooms to unfold behind a series of doors.  The apartment is home to a bachelor, who wanted to maximize the space and efficiency of his tiny flat in a historic building in the center of Moscow. The solution? Plenty of built-ins and ingenious hidden storage,…

by canadianwoodworkingco

The Great Gold Kitchenette

Gold kitchens aren’t for everyone, but if you are looking for a luxurious and modern glistening place to do your food preparation and cooking, then you’re going to love this gold kitchenette designed for a small waterfront condo in downtown Toronto. Our fabrication and installation team did a fabulous job in creating this golden kitchen…

by canadianwoodworkingco

5 Metallic Finishes for Your Kitchen

Metallics as a colour that appears to be metal, be it stainless steel, brass, bronze, gold and the emerging trend of rose gold. The visual sensation usually associated metallics is the shiny surface coupled with either a polished or brushed finish. The metallic effect cannot be produced by the simple use of any solid colour because…

by canadianwoodworkingco

HOW SUSTAINABLE SOURCED PLYWOOD IS CHANGING THE WAY WE DESIGN KITCHENS

Plywood is a wood material manufactured from thin layers of wood veneer that are glued together with adjacent layers having their wood grain rotated up to 90 degrees to one another. It is an engineered wood from the family of manufactured boards which include medium-density fibreboard (MDF) and particle board (chipboard). Plywood is used in many interior applications that need a high-quality, high-strength sheet material. Quality…

by canadianwoodworkingco