5 of the Best Before and After Kitchen Transformations on Houzz
Are you planning to revamp your kitchen? If you're short of inspiration, look no further
Victoria Harrison
26 June 2017
Editor, Houzz UK and Ireland
The creative vision of a good designer or builder can be invaluable if you want to make big changes to your kitchen. If you’re faced with an uninspiring layout, you might be surprised at how radically different it could look with a little imagination. Check out the before and after photos of some of the most dramatic and creative kitchen transformations from Houzz, and get inspiration for your own space.
The Scandi transformation
When Emily and Andrew Curthoys bought this period property in Aberdeen, they were faced with a dark and dated kitchen that was far from inspiring.
Undeterred, they called in the experts in the form of Andrew and Kate Brown from Brown + Brown Architects who totally transformed the space by rejigging the layout and upgrading the fittings to achieve a cool, crisp Scandi-inspired look.
When Emily and Andrew Curthoys bought this period property in Aberdeen, they were faced with a dark and dated kitchen that was far from inspiring.
Undeterred, they called in the experts in the form of Andrew and Kate Brown from Brown + Brown Architects who totally transformed the space by rejigging the layout and upgrading the fittings to achieve a cool, crisp Scandi-inspired look.
The cookspace and dining area (see below) switched places during the redesign. “Andrew and Emily wanted a larger dining area and a smaller kitchen space,” Brown explains. The couple enjoy having guests over, and having a large, open-plan space for entertaining was important to them.
A sleek, modern kitchen in crisp white replaced the dark, dated units and black accents were added for a chic look.
Brown describes the finished result as a blend of modern Scottish design and Scandinavian style.
A sleek, modern kitchen in crisp white replaced the dark, dated units and black accents were added for a chic look.
Brown describes the finished result as a blend of modern Scottish design and Scandinavian style.
The dining area, which used to be the kitchen space, now has a beautiful original flagstone floor. ‘It was underneath four or five layers of linoleum,’ says Brown. ‘It took quite a lot of work to strip that back.’ The newly exposed stones were treated with an industrial sealer as this is one of the busiest rooms in the house.
See how the rest of the house was upgraded
See how the rest of the house was upgraded
The open-plan transformation
When Katy Stevenson Bretton of Katy SB was asked to transform this ex-local authority flat in London she started by radically altering the layout.
The flat originally had a large living room with a dining area at the back. Stevenson Bretton decided to convert this into a combined kitchen and living space, and then turned the old kitchen into a second bedroom.
When Katy Stevenson Bretton of Katy SB was asked to transform this ex-local authority flat in London she started by radically altering the layout.
The flat originally had a large living room with a dining area at the back. Stevenson Bretton decided to convert this into a combined kitchen and living space, and then turned the old kitchen into a second bedroom.
At the heart of the new kitchen/living space is a large peninsula unit that divides the cooking and living areas. “It’s perfect for dining,” says Stevenson Bretton. “And the whole space suits how people want to live nowadays.”
Simple, handleless units in a soft grey were chosen as they blend into the background, which is ideal in an open-plan living space. The tap and sink were in the original kitchen. “They were the only things we managed to recycle from the flat as it was before,” says Stevenson Bretton.
Simple, handleless units in a soft grey were chosen as they blend into the background, which is ideal in an open-plan living space. The tap and sink were in the original kitchen. “They were the only things we managed to recycle from the flat as it was before,” says Stevenson Bretton.
Ripping up the carpet revealed the original floorboards. “They were in beautiful condition,” says Stevenson Bretton. She had them sanded back and stained. “That was a huge bonus, as new flooring never looks as good as the original,” she adds. “These boards are narrower than boards you typically buy today, too.”
Read the full transformation story here and see the rest of the flat
Read the full transformation story here and see the rest of the flat
The French transformation
When the owners bought this property in France, it had been all but abandoned for several years prior. The original kitchen was dark and was caught between the large living room, renovated a year before, and a dark hallway. Interior architect Anne-Astrid Chachignon of Maztri was called in to revamp the space.
When the owners bought this property in France, it had been all but abandoned for several years prior. The original kitchen was dark and was caught between the large living room, renovated a year before, and a dark hallway. Interior architect Anne-Astrid Chachignon of Maztri was called in to revamp the space.
Chachignon started by knocking down walls to turn the old kitchen, hallway and living room into one big space. A crisp white, blue and grey colour scheme instantly brightened up the new room, and sleek cabinets and contemporary accessories ensure the new kitchen is almost unrecognisable.
Although this is an extreme makeover, it wasn’t a case of ‘no expense spared’. To keep costs down, Chachignon kept the hob and sink in their original positions to avoid increasing costs. “The sink wasn’t even, so we had to juggle the furniture around to integrate each piece into the space we chose for it. For example, the worktop isn’t a perfect rectangle,” says Chachignon. But the result is an incredible transformation.
Read more about this French home renovation
Read more about this French home renovation
The farmhouse transformation
This listed farm building was originally a series of interlinking rooms, which included the old kitchen pictured here. The owners brought in Sarah Goldsmith of Contour to help them reimagine the space and navigate the challenges posed by an 18th-century building.
This listed farm building was originally a series of interlinking rooms, which included the old kitchen pictured here. The owners brought in Sarah Goldsmith of Contour to help them reimagine the space and navigate the challenges posed by an 18th-century building.
The old kitchen was ripped out, doorways were taken down and so was a large wall, which created an opening that now leads to the new kitchen’s dining space.
“The age of the building and its listed status put considerable constraints on the kitchen design,” says Goldsmith. “Certain features had to be incorporated, including a well that was discovered half way through the renovation, an original set of stairs that had been boxed in behind a wall, ceiling beams and an original farmhouse door.”
“The age of the building and its listed status put considerable constraints on the kitchen design,” says Goldsmith. “Certain features had to be incorporated, including a well that was discovered half way through the renovation, an original set of stairs that had been boxed in behind a wall, ceiling beams and an original farmhouse door.”
This is the original set of stairs that was discovered during the renovation. “The staircase couldn’t be removed, meaning the width of the kitchen couldn’t be increased and there wasn’t an option for a completely open-plan layout,” says Goldsmith. “But it’s now a fabulous decorative bookcase and really gives an insight into how the building looked originally.”
See more photos of this kitchen makeover
See more photos of this kitchen makeover
The 1960s transformation
“The flat hadn’t been touched since the 1960s or 1970s,” says interior designer Sarah Rossiter of Pataross Projects, who was behind the property’s stylish makeover. “There was brown floral carpet, brown tiles… It was a total time warp – quite a change from now.”
“The flat hadn’t been touched since the 1960s or 1970s,” says interior designer Sarah Rossiter of Pataross Projects, who was behind the property’s stylish makeover. “There was brown floral carpet, brown tiles… It was a total time warp – quite a change from now.”
Perhaps given the original state of this flat (see the previous photo), the designer’s brief from the owners was no surprise: “To create a light and airy space,” says Rossiter. “They wanted a contemporary feel, too, with a nod to industrial style – exposed bulbs etcetera.”
The kitchen is now open-plan, with a light, airy feel. Before any cosmetic changes were implemented in the flat, the main living space was knocked through. “We removed two load-bearing walls,” explains Rossiter. “Originally, there was a small lobby, which led to the kitchen on one side and the living room on the other.”
Now the kitchen is a modern, light-filled room that makes the most of every inch of space.
Tour the rest of this Brighton flat
Do you have before and after photos of a kitchen project you’d like to share? Show us in the Comments below!
Now the kitchen is a modern, light-filled room that makes the most of every inch of space.
Tour the rest of this Brighton flat
Do you have before and after photos of a kitchen project you’d like to share? Show us in the Comments below!
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Love the farmhouse kitchen.
I transformed my small flat when I opened up the kitchen into the living area creating a large L shaped space. I then swapped the kitchen and living, ending up with a roomy kitchen dining area with room for a settee and in the smaller wing of the L where I had glass opening into my private back yard I have a comfy big couch, book shelves and TV. Gorgeous!
I loved the farmhouse conversion. The rest show-cased far too much white. Some colour would be appreciated.
I haven't read all the other comments but I am wondering where the stairs were supposed to go to!