WESTEND BATH & KITCHEN PERFECT FOR OPEN CONCEPT RENOVATIONS
‘Proper flow’ the secret to satisfying returning customers
For returning Westend Bath and Kitchen clients Jo Anne Gilbert and Paul Pagotto, the looming 25th anniversary of their Kanata home was all the impetus they needed to get started on the kitchen and family area renovations they had been fantasizing about for years. The couple was tired of their dated oak cabinets and railings, inadequate storage, poor lighting and problems with traffic flow between the rooms.
“The big open kitchen, eating area and family room together form the master control centre of our home,” says Jo Anne. “It is where we spend most of our time and do our entertaining, but the entire space looked like it was mired in the 1980s.”
Undertaking a sweeping renovation of wide open room spaces calls for just the right mix of panoramic vision and macroscopic attention to detail. Too much of one without regard for the other can leave an open concept area of the home looking unbalanced and lacking in the cohesion that makes it a joy to move from room to room. For Westend Bath and Kitchen designer Valerie Laba, meeting the couple’s renovation needs came down to choosing features, textures and colours that would work well together in the individual room spaces, but which would also integrate into an attractive overall design.
“The open concept meant keeping all the materials for each room in mind, allowing for a proper flow,” Valerie says. “We carried the 20x20-inch Noce floor tiles throughout the kitchen and breakfast room on the one level, then finished the hardwood floor in the sunken family room in a complementary Maple Truffle. The new half-wall with wood cap adds a sophisticated defining element to the overall design, and we used pot lights throughout to achieve the warm lighting effect.”
Valerie called on Westend installer Dave Edwards and his team to work the renovation, which also included quartz kitchen countertops and Cherry Merlot cabinets featuring a number of amazing space-saving options such as roll-out trays, pull-out spice rack and a cleaning storage basket. A customized valance box was constructed for the lights above the corner sink area.
“We love our new kitchen space,” says Jo Anne. “The beautiful backsplash behind the glass canopy range hood is just the focal point we envisioned.” The spacious kitchen accommodates a cook-top, dual wall ovens, a builtin microwave and a warming drawer. The built-in appliances are flanked by deep pantries.
“Valerie did a wonderful job of helping us bring our dream to life,” says Jo Anne. “She spent many hours with us, making sure we chose just the right complement of cabinets, tiles, countertop, flooring and so on. She was very patient about updating the design several times, and quick to make suggestions and point out the impact of changes on our budget. No detail was too insignificant for her to address before, during or after the renovation.”
Like many other customers, Jo Anne and Paul were happy leaving direct dealings with subcontractors in the capable hands of Westend Bath and Kitchen.
“It was a great experience to work with Valerie and the rest of the team,” Jo Anne says. “To have people who share your dream and can pay attention to every detail and make it all happen for you is pretty special.”
The Westend Bath and Kitchen Centre at 1660 Woodward Dr. is open Monday to Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Visit online anytime at www.westendbathandkitchen.com, or call 613-226-7701 to arrange a home visit by an experienced Westend Bath and Kitchen designer.