Prelude Lake Cabin Kitchen

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This is a proposal for a simple kitchen renovation for clients in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada. The house is located 30 km out of town in the Prelude Lake East housing development. It is a cabin only lived in seasonally as a spring, summer and fall home, shut down throughout the harsh northern winters. Due to its seasonal use and off-the-grid location, the appliances run on propane and the cabin is powered by generators. The clients have been taking advantage of semi-retirement to update the cabin themselves room by room and project by project since purchasing the home in the summer of 2011. The kitchen is among the few large projects left to tackle and they needed some ideas.

Cabin location

Map courtesy of Google Maps

Key Problems

Dated cabinets | Horizontal wood paneling | Uninsulated bay window addition | Four separate pieces make up the countertop

Key Problems

Lacking counter space around fridge and stove | No hood vent over range | Dated upper cabinets | Clients are planning to move wall-mounted crate shelving elsewhere in the house

Features

Lake views in all directions | Ample natural light most of the spring & summer, including late into the evening | While narrow, the kitchen has an interesting shape to work with | Potential to create lots of work space | Existing hardwood flooring is in good shape

Concept: Country style kitchen

The space will evoke a sense of brightness and warmth, creating a seamless, well functioning environment for the heart of the home. Natural textures are emphasized through the use of warm woods combined with a stark white canvas. Inspiration is derived from the simplicity of Shaker carpentry. The funky shape of the space will be used to focus attention on the views outside the ample windows.

Inspiration & Materials

Inspiration came from country kitchens, carrying over the design features such as use of open shelving and colourful cabinetry | Materials are to be kept fairly simple, from the use of IKEA cabinets as per the client's wishes, to the painting of existing wall paneling and option to build custom wooden worktop by client | Each room in the house seems to have it's own feature colour and, in keeping with that theme, a bright blue has been chosen as a highlight colour for the lower cabinets against a wash of white to compliment the adjacent the dining room walls are currently painted a deep brown

Concept 1: Breakfast bar with a view

Plan View | Concept 1

Bay window to be used as counter height bar seating | Double sink | Minimal upper cabinet storage

3D Rendering | Concept 1

Bar seating | Narrow shelving above range

3D Rendering | Concept 1

Upper cabinets mix of glass doors and open shelving

Concept 2:

Plan View | Concept 2

Bay window features country style apron front sink | Island with counter height bar seating | Extensive upper cabinets and shelving right up to the ceiling | Wall next to refrigerator has been pushed back 6" to allow more clearance between wall and beam

3D Rendering | Concept 2

Apron front sink with lake view, sink in this location requires pipes underneath to be left open as the external wall is not insulated | Open lower shelving flanks sink | Counterheight seating at island, nestled against beam

3D Rendering | Concept 2

Concept 3: Continuous counter with peninsula

Plan View | Concept 3

Large, continous work space | Features a hood vent over the range | Built in wooden chopping surface | Mix of glass doored upper cabinets and open shelving

3D Rendering | Concept 3

Open shelving on dining room side of peninsula

3D Rendering | Concept 3

Small open shelving is mirrored on either side of the range | Hood vent installed in favour of window ventilation

3D Rendering | Concept 3

Bay window features three drawer cabinets that slide open to reveal recycling bins

Final Design Proposal: Island work space and recycling station

Key Design Features

Wooden work tops | Ample upper storage | Recycling station | Wall next to refrigerator has been pushed back 6" to allow more clearance between wall and beam | Island is minimally invasive into dining room as counter will line up with existing beam

3D Rendering

Pendant lighting over island | Open lower shelving | Recycling station feature in bay window | Open wall shelving flanking range and hood vent | Use of primarily drawer style lower cabinets

3D Rendering

Wall shelving above range for spices, oils & display of objects | Counter features built in wooden chopping block | Upper cabinets are a customized mix of open and closed shelving, designed to maximize use of limited wall space | Adjustable track task lighting over work surfaces | Recessed downlights installed