Here's an example of an update without making sweeping structural or design changes. This u-shaped condo kitchen pretty much explains itself.
The only reason why there are white shelves above the sink is because the existing doors were removed -- it wasn't an original design application, thank goodness.
In this design, the design changes were cosmetic. No walls were altered and the tile flooring remained in place.
The ceiling fixture above was the ever-present (and loathed) fluorescent light well with the yellowed panels. Thank goodness fluorescents have come a long way since the '80s and '90s!
The new fluorescent light was installed in the light well niche at the right. It actually suspends from the ceiling about 8". It looks like we designed the ceiling well to match the lighting but in truth, we all decided on the light due to its proportions.
The single retired client liked clean, modern lines and using environmentally responsible materials. She also wanted to keep the project budget in line and was willing to keep her existing tile flooring. The cabinetry is a natural "Riviera Brookside Bamboo" from Hertco cabinetry. (On their website, check out "Products", "Video Samples", and finally click on "Push Through Lazy Susan" for an example of the fantastic base corner cabinet.)
We were delighted when the client choose a plum tone called "Mulberry Mist" from Caesarstone quartz surfaces. It's showing really purple here, but it's subtler in real life.
The tile was a combination of 5/8" x 5/8" glass mosiacs (again, they show very purple here, but are actually more of a taupe/plum tone. They change color for different times of the day and night) and a 12x12 porcelain tile that our wonderful tile-setter, Sean, cut in half and installed in a subway pattern.
