The rules were simple. The family had their wish fulfilled, as the kitchen and dining room were to be combined into a large family kitchen.
Time for home and designer Aina Sollie Steen was given free rein to make absolutely all the decisions when it came to colors and decor.
Big change
The family next didn’t recognize themselves when they got home – but they loved the choices that had been made.
– We are incredibly happy with the solutions, and not least with the colors that were chosen. It couldn’t have been nicer, they say when they see the result.
AFTER: Wall facing adjacent rooms gave completely new possibilities. Photo: Per Olav Sølvberg
BEFORE: The dining room which was separated from the kitchen. Photo: Pandora Film/TV 2
AFTER: Large dining table moved to the end of the room to make room for a sofa. Photo: Per Olav Sølvberg
BEFORE: Kitchen bench with upper cabinet in L shape along the wall. Photo: Pandora Film/TV 2
AFTER: New solution with island, and integrated fridge and oven on the wall. Photo: Per Olav Sølvberg
BEFORE: Dark beams in the ceiling, an older wood-burning stove and a sliding door that didn’t work. Photo: Pandora Film/TV 2
AFTER: Listless and simple, new wood-burning stove in an exciting shape and repaired sliding door. Photo: Per Olav Sølvberg
Designer’s advice – how to create a large family kitchen
– You must know that if you tear down a wall and create a large kitchen room, you invite the family in – because this will become the family’s favorite room. Everyone will want to be here all the time, so you have to calculate plenty of space, says interior designer Aina Sollie Steen.
– Remember that in a large room with a kitchen, dining area and perhaps a small relaxation area, there are many more activities to take place than in a clean kitchen. Therefore, you must take care of all pedestrian zones and create good spaces. There must be room for the children to run around at the same time as father stands and cuts the salad.
Aina speaks from experience. She has three children herself, and is used to the fact that a lot happens around cooking.
TUMLEPLASS: Here children can run, play and be with the adults. Photo: Per Olav Sølvberg
– If you are going to have a kitchen island, you should calculate 130 cm between the island and the bench/cupboard on the opposite side. Then several people can work in the kitchen at the same time, and have space to open drawers, oven and dishwasher without collisions, she says.
See what furniture, products and materials were used here.
How to use a calm toned-down color palette without it becoming boring
In this project, there are no prominent colours, only variations of beige, white and white-pigmented oak – something that can easily become boring if you don’t make a number of conscious choices. Here are tips on how to still make it springy and interesting, based on Aina’s thoughts from the renovation.
- Imagine that you have to use the entire scale from dark to light within the shade you have chosen. In this case, from completely white chairs and lamp details, via beige wall colours, textiles and light oak, to dark earth-coloured decorative items.
VARIATION: The colors go from completely white to darker beige and oak. Photo: Per Olav Sølvberg
- Create variety in surfaces. Glossy surfaces versus matte surfaces, plain surfaces versus rough, textiles with different textures. In this room, an almost white, slightly matt worktop was used, the tiles above were white and glossy.
- The sofa had a wide-striped corduroy cover, while the cushions were almost the same colour, but in a different type of fabric, and the carpet on the floor was long piled.
SURFACES: Glossy tiles against matt wall and worktop. Photo: Per Olav Sølvberg
- Add shapes to the room. A simple color palette works great if furniture and objects have somewhat entertaining shapes. In the family kitchen, the kitchen island had a curved end towards the living area of the room.
SOFT SHAPES: The end of the kitchen island. Photo: Per Olav Sølvberg
- The fireplace was given a round design, and the sofa in front of the fireplace was actually completely round. The lamps in the room also had playful organic shapes that create variety and punch in the otherwise sober color scheme.
SOFAKOS: Completely round corduroy sofa for adults and children. The fireplace has a round design. Photo: Per Olav Sølvberg
- Feel free to let the perfect meet the imperfect. Modern newly renovated rooms are often listless, with perfect straight lines and smooth surfaces. Against this tight, it may well be nice with a slightly funny potted plant or handmade objects that have something rough or imperfect about them.
ORGANIC: Entertaining shape of an all-white lamp above the dining table. Photo: Per Olav Sølvberg
Make the bench yourself
Much of what was made for the project is a bit for “advanced” craftsmen, but the bench with a cushion can be made, even for the less driven.
SIMPLE AND FLEXIBLE: Such simple benches can be easily moved if you need a long table for guests. Photo: Per Olav Sølvberg
See how to make your own bench and seat cushion in the video below.
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