Kitchen

Modern Windsor chairs by Hay surround an oak extension table by Ethnicraft. “You flip a lever and it gets larger,” Lachapelle says. The original plan called for a center island, but the owners wanted the flexibility of a table they could also use as a prep surface. The oak cabinet behind the sofa is on casters for additional utility. “We can even use it outside,” the husband says.

In an effort to produce as little waste as possible, the couple purchase dry food in bulk and keep the pantry tidy with mason jars.

A magnetic strip that holds knives and other small cooking accessories is attached to the shiplap wall in the kitchen, helping to preserve space.

As you tour a potential home, look out for a lack of natural light or possible renovations—those details can be used during negotiations.

In a centuries-old building in Montreal, Belgian architect and designer Gaeten Havart undertook a DIY kitchen renovation that makes the most of inexpensive materials. These simple cabinets and modern cabinet pulls are from Ikea and painted with a matte black finish.

Engineered for energy efficiency, the Koto cabins are equipped with high-performance insulation and cane be fitted with renewable energy systems such as solar panels and biomass stoves.

When choosing an apartment to buy off-plan, one of the deciding factors for Jono was the size of the kitchen. "I noticed a lot of new apartments had extremely small kitchens,

After: By knocking out a wall and building a new island, the kitchen flows more cohesively into the living room and dining room. The

Storage had to be dialed in within the narrow footprint of the brownstone. The black core holds the pantry, while on the right, a bank of custom cabinetry hosts the command station, mop closet, and a concealed bar.-

Homeowners Izabel and Paul made a large open kitchen a top priority, insisting on counters at double the standard width.

The master bathroom 's hexagonal tiles create a moody atmosphere in the otherwise light-filled home. Glass louvered windows provide natural light and airflow to the space.

"I was a contrarian child and my favorite color was army green," recalls Gavankar. That early passion influenced the design of this kitchen, awash in Benjamin Moore "Dakota Shadow."

The updated kitchen is bright and airy thanks to expansive glazing that includes skylights and clerestory windows of stained glass.

"The color palette is really us,

"I often choose finishes that allow the natural texture to show through, and finishes that emphasize the cathedrals and burls of the graining,