Transitional Spaces and Style
Design: Studio Kahaani
Mornings are still chilly here, with the days then warming up progressively. Transitional weather, which calls for layers and in-between jackets and a certain flexibility (accepting the fact that you may be walking down the street later in your boots and cape past someone in sandals and a t-shirt).
Transitional spaces need that same flexible approach, as areas that often serve multiple purposes for various people and throughout various seasons. A mudroom (or boot room, for my European friends) is not usually a luxury found in an older home, but a highly valuable space with kids and four seasons. I wanted a transitional space that included loads of storage, could serve as a hidden dumping ground for snowy boots, skates etc, and that could still provide an aesthetic welcome to our home as a primary entrance.
I chose the tile early on, which became a point of departure for all the other choices in the space. The quartzite for the counter and backsplash is the same as the one in the master bathroom, so I chose a slab that worked in both spaces. As in our other areas with natural stone counters, I chose to highlight the movement in the stone on the backsplash and by using a wash of under cabinet lighting. We went with Ikea cabinetry - the stained ash wood doors are amongst the pricier ones there but are holding up well. The mudroom is completely hidden from the rest of the house, so I opted for a dark cabinetry to create a distinct feeling of transition into the kitchen with lighter cabinetry. Some practical features include the deep utility sink that also serves as hand washing station when people arrive home, and a toe kick central vacuum outlet to sweep up the area easily. We dedicated a lot of space and budget to the mudroom, but I’m glad we did - anything to make life (and wardrobe) transitions easier!
Design: Studio Kahaani
Design: Studio Kahaani
