Tips to Renovate your Builder Grade Home

Updated: Aug 22

Proof that your Dream Home may be closer than you think...

Transitional warm white kitchen, wood stain island, polished nickel, brass, subway tile, bar sink island, cup pulls, island pendants, plaster hood

We had the privilege of renovating this couple's laundry and mudroom a year or two ago, and were called back to create the kitchen of their dreams. Slowly but surely, they're creating a bespoke, custom home within the bones of their average 80's home! Renovating where you're at can ensure that the choices made serve your family needs and aesthetic perhaps even better than something "move-in-ready." Here's some before and afters of that project.

Before

After

Before

After

Transitional warm white kitchen, wood stain island, polished nickel, brass, subway tile, cup pulls, custom banquette, breakfast nook plaster hood

Before

After

Transitional warm white kitchen, wood stain island, polished nickel, brass, subway tile, fridge and pantry, woven rope bar stools

"No way that's the same house!"

We're hearing a lot of this in publishing this project, but pinky promise...same house! It's amazing what taking out a couple of walls can do. The family found the previous dining room redundant since they sat at the kitchen table mostly, and knew that the island seating would satisfy the overflow. This allowed them to create an expansive work area and lots of great storage, not to mention the open concept lifestyle they were seeking.

Before

After

Transitional warm white kitchen, wood stain island, polished nickel, brass, subway tile, bar sink island, cup pulls, island pendants, plaster hood, breakfast nook, pot filler, large island, quartz

Today's Take on the White Kitchen

The classic white kitchen is always a winner. But I love the softness of today's take on the timeless classic. We're warming up the white paint, and adding wood tones and more saturated neutrals in accents to add warmth and softness.

We used BM Dove Wing OC 18 on the cabinetry, and a custom stain on the island. Dove Wing sits in between a cream and a warm white, which makes it a little less yellow than a lot of creams. We had the cabinetmaker produce additional material in the same colour to create the banquette for a seamless, custom look.

We were running the same LVP we had installed downstairs during the mudroom/laundry room renovation, so I wanted to pop the island and go for a deep, rich tone. We're really happy with how this custom stain turned out, it adds a beautiful contrast in this airy space.

Transitional warm white kitchen, wood stain island, polished nickel, brass, subway tile, bar sink island, cup pulls, island pendants, plaster hood, pantry, breakfast nook, pot filler, kitchen styling

Warm it Up

Warm vs Cool undertones in Polished Nickel and Chrome Hardware

There seems to be a trend towards warmth since the Covid lockdowns, which only makes sense - our homes became our cocoons and we needed them to feel comfortable and soothing. Beyond paint, we also added a warmth to this space by opting for warm metals such as champagne bronze and polished nickel. Polished nickel has a high-shine finish like chrome, but a with gorgeous warm undertone vs the cool undertone of chrome. All the plumbing fixtures in this space are polished nickel, while the cabinetry hardware and light fixtures are champagne.

polished nickel pot filler vintage faucet, subway tile handformed matte, cream cabinets, glass cabinets, plaster hood, gas stove, crock with utensils

Is a potfiller on your dream kitchen checklist? It's a real treat to not have to carry heavy pots of water from the sink to stove!

We also added an eclectic mix of warm neutral textiles to the banquette via pillows, and a super soft, washable runner by @Magnolia Home. Adding textiles to a utilitarian space can really help to cozy it up! Opt for performance fabrics in a dining space for durability and washability. We love Tonic Living, a Canadian company which makes stunning pillows (and draperies!) and have the best inserts!

breakfast nook, custom banquette, transitional dining, modern black chairs, traditional wood pedestal table, gold chandelier, white subway tile, cup pulls, wood island, cream cabinetry, glass cabinet, subway tile to ceiling

Transitional warm white kitchen, wood stain island, polished nickel, brass, subway tile, bar sink island, cup pulls, island pendants, plaster hood, subway tile to ceiling, bar sink in island, sink in front of window, kitchen styling, breakfast nook

Transitional warm white kitchen, wood stain island, polished nickel, brass, subway tile, bar sink island, cup pulls, island pendants, plaster hood, vintage faucet in front of window, kitchen styling, glass cabinetry flanking plaster hood, quartz

Speaking of textures, the hood fan was done in a super subtle plaster finish by @Artisan Plaster, and the slight curve also helps to soften all the right angles in a kitchen. Think Old-Europe texture vs 90's exterior stucco. So pretty.

Blending Old & New

My favourite spaces are a good mix of styles and elements (but with a name like Juxta, that probably doesn't come as a shock to you!) I love that this space mixes traditional shapes (like the faucets, cup pulls, ornate crown, shaker cabinetry, bricklay subway tile backsplash, pedestal table) with more modern elements such as the sleek hood fan cover, clean quartz countertop, light fixtures and the chairs and stools.