About this Project

There’s something truly special about working on repeat projects in the same neighborhood. It’s like being part of a community, where each project feels like catching up with an old friend. So, when John reached out to us about his Marstrand condo renovation, we were thrilled. He’s been living there for years and knew it was time for a fresh update to make the space feel new again—especially since he plans to stay put for at least another five years.

The updates were as important as improving its layout and function. In a concrete building, there are limitations to what can be done, but it is rewarding to optimize space within these restrictions. It is even more thrilling to discover multiple possibilities to present to the client. Presenting options within the constraints of a concrete building is something we excel at.

The buildings in this neighbourhood were built in late 1990’s, they have more space and storage than your average condo these days. The first thing we focused on is the kitchen layout. Making the most of the U-shape kitchen. This space also had a built-in desk area, like the ones you would often see in that era. All though more often we see people work from home, it seems impractical to utilize this space in the kitchen for a desk.

Major improvements were made in the kitchen. Rethinking the U-shaped kitchen—what’s there to rethink, you ask? It’s challenging with three walls and three essential items: the wash area, the cooking area, and the food storage. Stylistically, we wanted to remove the upper cabinets on either side of the hood fan to make the space feel bigger and airier. Practically, we needed to compensate for the lost storage. The following improvements not only made up for it but also increased the storage:

– Upper cabinets to the left of the fridge extend down to the countertop. This removed the backsplash area, but we retained the countertop under the cabinets to maintain counter space.

– A single bypass door slides over the countertop, revealing or concealing the microwave and the shelving next to it. This space now accommodates dishes, glassware, and serves as an appliance garage for the microwave. We’re sharing tips about microwave locations below.

– Converting the old “kitchen desk” space into a beverage and serving station increased overall storage, adding another wall and workstation to the kitchen. We concealed a built-in bar fridge under the counter, paneled to look like cabinetry. Two drawers to the right of the fridge allow for upright bottle storage. The glass cabinets above house all glassware and serving ware, complete with a wine display area.

Design Tip