Kitchen Makeovers - To Ikea or Not to Ikea

I was talking to a friend and client last night about her kitchen. They decided that this will be the year that they remodel their small (but sweet) vintage kitchen. While I do often try to save good vintage kitchens, and remodel money whenever possible, I think I am with them on this on. How can you argue when someone's kitchen just doesn't work for how they live? They cook a lot, don't have a dishwasher, could only fit a mini fridge in to the tiny opening, have limited counter space, limited cabinet space and are isolated from the rest of the house when they are in there. They need to be able to maximize the space the do have, open the space up to the rest of the house and finally fit a dishwasher into the plan.

My mind immediately went to Ikea. For the type of house the have, a clean lined Ikea kitchen would fit the bill, and budget, perfectly. The trick to Ikea cabinets, like all Ikea furnishings, is to use it sparingly. You want people to be surprised that it's Ikea, not feel like they just stepped into the showroom.

Why did my mind go to Ikea? I have worked in the interior design industry for five years now and been surrounded by designers for many years more than that. While they design high end, custom cabinets for their clients, they install Ikea into their own homes. Need proof? Here are a few of my favorites...

Susie Bauer and Will Zemba used the Ikea Numerar countertops, Akurum cabinet bases (though had MDF fronts made, using the original doors as a template) and the Attest handles. My favorite touch though? The brilliant and economic use of linoleum as a floor and backsplash, made modern by cutting the tiles into a subway shape! Photo from the late, great Domino Magazine.


In this kitchen, interior designer Tori Golub used the Ikea Akurum base cabinets with Abstrakt fronts. The glossy white, lacquer like finish is high style. The two inch slab of corian used on the countertops adds a touch of elegance. The wallpaper on the back wall infuses the space with personality and warmth.