Case Study
Main Floor Transformation (Kitchen + Laundry) in Ottawa
The Welcoming Kitchen
Location: Ottawa
Scope: Kitchen & laundry renovation (260 sq ft total — 230 sq ft kitchen + 30 sq ft laundry)
Timeline: 3.5 months in construction + 3 months in design
Style: Bright, balanced, and timeless
Standout Features:
- 10.5 ft island
- custom range hood
- built-in hutch
- durable quartz surfaces
This Ottawa renovation started with one simple goal: create a kitchen that supports daily cooking and relaxed hosting.
By opening the space into the former eating nook and rebuilding the layout around a 10.5-ft island, the kitchen now works for real life — prep, cooking, and conversation in the same place.
Quick Summary (TL;DR)
The problem
A cramped, dated kitchen with limited prep space, storage, and room for more than one person.
The big change
We doubled the kitchen footprint by integrating the old eating nook into the new island-centered layout.
The technical win
The key material decision
The result
A cramped, dated kitchen with limited prep space, storage, and room for more than one person.
THE BEFORE
Kitchens really are the heart of the home… aren’t they? And when they feel tight and awkward, it’s not just inconvenient — it changes how the whole main floor feels.
In this home, the kitchen had great potential. But day-to-day life kept running into the same roadblocks. If two people tried to prep at once, it felt crowded fast.
Hosting meant weaving around a table beside a cramped cooking zone — and the kitchen never felt like a space you wanted to linger in.
Their top frustrations were:
- Not enough room for more than one person in the kitchen at a time
- Limited counter space for prep and not enough storage where it mattered (right in the working zone)
- A look that felt dated and heavy, and simply didn’t bring them joy
THE Big Change
We doubled the kitchen footprint by integrating the old eating nook into the new kitchen plan — and building the space around a generous island.
That one decision created breathing room. Instead of squeezing around separate zones, the kitchen became one connected space where prep, cooking, and conversation can happen together.
What We Changed (at a glance)
- Absorbed the eating nook to expand the kitchen and center it around the island
- Repositioned major appliances to create a calmer, more functional workflow and a more balanced look
How We Made Decisions
As a Design + Build firm, every choice we made came back to 3 things:
Clear prep space that stays usable (even when more than one person is cooking)
Hosting flow that lets guests gather without interrupting the working zone
Finishes that hold up and stay easy to maintain with daily use
THE STRATEGY
Great kitchens start with smart planning — how you move, where things land, and how the space supports real life.
A smarter layout (that feels easy to use)
The biggest “work smarter” decision was relocating the major appliances to make the kitchen more functional and visually balanced. With the new plan, the working zone feels more intentional — and the island becomes a true hub instead of an obstacle.
The behind-the-walls work
To make the new layout work, we relocated plumbing so the sink and dishwasher could move into the island. It’s one of those changes that you feel more than you notice — it opens up the perimeter and helps keep the main prep zones focused and uncluttered.
The “Aha” Moment in Demolition
Sometimes the biggest turning points are the quiet ones.
During demolition, we discovered the original hardwood didn’t run under the old cabinets. Since those areas would now be visible, we carefully patched and re-integrated the flooring so it blends seamlessly.
This is where experience matters. The goal isn’t just “new.” It’s making sure the renovation feels like it belongs — like the home was always meant to work this way.
The Materials (Chosen for Real Life)
The homeowners loved the look of marble, but wanted something that could handle everyday use — so they chose marble-inspired quartz for durability.
One decision the clients were especially happy with: extending quartz up the wall behind the range.
- Easy to wipe clean
- Durable around grease and splashes
- No grout lines to maintain
To keep the look warm and timeless, we layered in:
- Crisp off-white cabinetry for brightness
- A rich painted MDF island for contrast
- Handcrafted-look white tile for texture
- Brass hardware and lighting for warmth
The “After”
The best compliment is when a space gets used right away — and this one did.
First use
The clients hosted their friends, and the kitchen immediately felt different. A couple people could prep and cook, guests could gather around the island, and the movement stayed smooth. No squeezing past each other. No interrupting the cooking zone just to be part of the conversation.
Favorite features
Two details the homeowners keep coming back to:
- The custom range hood (a true focal point)
- The built-in hutch, designed for storage and for displaying meaningful pieces
A simple client reaction
They told us it finally feels comfortable to cook and host in the same space.
The result
This kitchen is now a space where:
- Multiple people can cook comfortably
- Prep space is generous on both sides of the range
- Storage feels intentional and easy
- Hosting feels natural — not stressful
What to Keep in Mind If You’re Planning a Kitchen Like This
1. If you’re moving the sink to an island, plan plumbing early. It gives you more freedom in the layout and keeps the perimeter zones cleaner.
2. Quartz behind the range is a smart “real-life” upgrade. You get a refined look with easy wipe-down maintenance and fewer grout lines to worry about.
3. If you’re keeping existing hardwood, confirm what’s under the cabinets before demo. When flooring doesn’t run underneath, careful patching is key to making the renovation feel seamless.
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