The winner of the 2017 Remodelista Considered Design Awards Best Amateur Kitchen is Zachary Leung, for his Rustic & Refined kitchen in Toronto, Canada.
Go to this year’s Considered Design Awards page to see all the entries, finalists, and winners, and have a look at Gardenista’s Considered Design Awards.
“A rustic black hutch creates dramatic impact on one side of the kitchen. A mix of open and closed shelving, finished in bright white, gives a modern edge to an otherwise traditional piece.”
Sticking to a classic black and white color scheme allowed for these opposing styles to work harmoniously with each other, resulting in a unique yet timeless look.”
“A closeup of the kitchen island. The waterfall edge is architecturally current, and provides functional seating for four. Though the Carrara marble top is a classic choice, the honed finish keeps it approachable and unfussy.”
It’s a vibrant area of the city, right in the midst of a few great neighborhoods, each with their own unique vibe.
“A view to the other side of the kitchen, done in all white to counterbalance the black hutch.” For the kitchen itself, I wanted to design a more practical layout, maximize the storage, and add room for an eat-in breakfast area.
“High-gloss cabinets in white are punctuated with matte black hardware. Multiple drawers are hidden inside each single-faced cabinet, providing tons of useful storage but concealed in a clean and simplified linear look.”
Rearranging the kitchen in a linear format keeps everything within reach while cooking, and balancing it on the opposite side with a rustic hutch not only provides visual interest but also provides practical storage needs for small appliances, cookware, and even a bit of decorative display.
“Keeping this side of the kitchen free of upper cabinets makes the space feel more open and airy. Traditional white subway tile was a classic choice for the backsplash. However, selecting the tiles in an oversized format, matte finish, with a crisp bevel gives them a slightly modernized twist.”
RM: What are your favorite features of the project?ZL: The mix and contrast of old and new, black and white, casual and refined materials, and traditional and modern design styles.
“The hutch provides an abundance of room for storage, pantry items, countertop appliances, and decorative display.” The biggest downfall is ignoring the parameters dictated by the situation, and trying to force a vision—the space itself will tell you what will work, and what won’t.
View to the kitchen from the dining area. However, I’d happily pay full price if I had to do it all over again because I feel it truly makes the space.
“Greenery in the kitchen keeps the black and white space from feeling sterile.” Rather than leveling and rebuilding everything from scratch, I used a few design tricks to hide and distract from any awkward angles and bulkheads, and now they are barely noticeable.
“The new kitchen was reoriented around a wide new patio door, which floods the space with natural light. The glass door was flanked by two new closets—one for storage, the other for a washer/dryer. These utilitarian spaces blend right into the background, keeping the kitchen center stage.”
RM: What is your best secret design source?ZL: In terms of a source for purchasing items, my not-so-secret resource would be Kijiji and Craigslist to find amazing deals.
“The original kitchen was dark and poorly laid out. There wasn’t much storage, and the fridge felt like an afterthought.” Currently I’m loving the design scene in Australia, where I’ve discovered some architects and design studios that tend to be a bit edgier.
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