A drab 1960s kitchen metamorphoses into a 'nonchalantly trendy' Parisian-influenced haven, with the help of stainless steel cupboards, vintage lighting, and a bold, sunny yellow floor.
Small apartments are the abode for many city dwellers, and designing a chic and practical kitchen within such limited space can be a challenge. That's where Tom Rutt, the founder of TR Studio, excels. His work portfolio includes revamping a worn-out 1960s kitchen in Paris and modernizing a Victorian home with a unique Japandi style. Here's how he turned a small, enclosed, and personality-lacking kitchen into an open, airy, and stylish space.
originally, this kitchen felt cramped and devoid of character. Tom completely revamped the layout, tearing down the walls to let in more light and showcase the apartment's lofty ceilings and exposed rafters. By opening up the floor plan, he created a harmonious living, dining, and cooking area that serves as the apartment's central, characterful feature.
Tom chose to go with a bold statement feature in stainless steel cabinetry, which brings a mix of retro and futuristic elements while maintaining a cool and unfussy aesthetic. He contrasted the cool metallic finish with warmer tones and natural materials, like painted storage units, open shelving, and a wooden worktop, to add a lived-in feel against the industrial elements.
In a small kitchen, efficiency is crucial, and Tom paid meticulous attention to every design detail to maximize function while preserving style. He concealed the boiler in a corner cabinet, taking advantage of an otherwise unused space, and meticulously planned storage and work surfaces to cater to the compact layout.
The result is a bright, open space that reflect the owner's personality without feeling cluttered. The family-friendly kitchen boasts a full-height fridge-freezer, integrated handles, and hidden storage solutions. The pièce de résistance? The bold kitchen floor color, selected thoughtfully to energize the space yet avoid overwhelming it.
The kitchen is lined with a pot hanger, open shelves, and statement art pieces, which add a touch of personalization. Embracing smaller kitchens is essential, and Tom demonstrates that even in tight spaces, it's possible to create a stylish and functional kitchen that truly shines.
Designing a Small Kitchen: Key Takeaways
- Open Layout: Focus on maximizing natural light and creating an open, flowing floor plan to make your kitchen feel larger.
- Mixed Design Styles: Combine contrasting styles and elements to add character and visual interest to your kitchen.
- Bold Design Choices: Don't shy away from bold color choices or statement pieces that make your kitchen stand out as a focal point in your living space.
- Functional and Multipurpose Furniture: Choose furniture that serves multiple purposes to optimize space and increase functionality.
- Contrasting Elements: Use contrasting textures, colors, and styles to create visual interest and depth in your small kitchen.
A small kitchen, like this one, can be transformed from being cramped and lifeless into an interior-design spectacle that mirrors the home-and-garden lifestyle by incorporating an open layout and bold design choices. For instance, Tom Rutt, founder of TR Studio, meshes modern lifestyle and home-improvement trends by creating a harmonious and practical work, dining, and cooking area, while maintaining a stylish home-and-garden aesthetic through mixed design styles, contrasting elements, and functional and multipurpose furniture.
