Cottage Kitchen Refresh with Caesarstone

I’ve been wanting to update our kitchen since we bought our cottage almost 6 years ago.  I love the pine cupboards and the layout is functional, but the countertops, backsplash and hardware made the space feel dated, dark and dingy.  I knew a few changes would make a big impact so we made a plan and got to work. 

The countertops and backsplash were my least favourite parts of the kitchen, so they were at the top of the list to change and I knew they had to be Caesarstone. I fell in love with the product after my parents used it in their recently renovated kitchen and knew it was the absolute best choice for us.  Everything about the brand aligns with our needs and what’s important to us. Caesarstone is deeply committed to the environment, which if you’ve been here a while, you know we are, too.  Sustainability is a key component in their use of raw materials, manufacturing and distribution. It’s no secret that renovations can cause waste so to be able to use a product that’s doing its part to protect our planet is a major win. Caesarstone truly brings the magic of the earth’s raw minerals to the centre of the home, with their timeless products. I wanted to make sure any choices we made complimented the beauty of the environment we’re so fortunate to live in. 

Another massively important element for us: durability.  We have 2 kids, a big extended family and entertain a lot of guests, so this kitchen gets a ton of use and we needed something that is tough and easy to clean. Caesarstone is nonporous, stain free, heat and scratch resistant which ticks all the boxes we need. 

How it started:

Now for the fun part – choosing the stone! I started by going to showroom in Vaughn, ON to look at some large samples.  That was MAJORLY important because initially I had been looking at small samples but once I saw the quartz in full-size I went in an entirely different direction with my choice.  I went with 5111 Statuario Nuvo from their Supernatural series because of the soft creamy white background and the delicate dark grey and soft brown veining.  I knew it would really compliment the cabinets and the overall feel of the cottage. 

Originally the kitchen had 3 different materials.  A wooden bar top, black formica countertops and a leaf motif ceramic tile.  I wanted one seamless look to make the space feel brighter and more cohesive and doing the bar top, countertops and the backsplash all in the same Ceasarstone really achieved that goal.

Initially we had a double sink but I knew I wanted a one large one so I went with this one from Pearl Sinks. It’s massive, deep, heavy duty and comes with a TON of accessories.  For the main and filtration faucets I chose these from Delta I love the way the antique bronze finish looks against the backsplash.

We swapped out the light fixture for an art deco light from my Dad’s incredible collection of vintage lighting.  I love the way it looks and that it came from him.

Finding hardware I liked proved to be a bit of a challenge.  Everything I saw felt too modern or not right for the space.  I ended up finding these antique ceramic knobs on Esty.  The seller had the exact number I needed so it felt meant to be!

Lastly, I painted under the bar area.  The original wood felt too wood-y (and official décor term, I’m sure).  We needed to break up some of that wood so I went with Calke Green from Farrow & Ball. I’m obsessed with this colour and am now looking for other places to use it in the cottage. 

How it’s going:

I’m really happy with this refresh and how it all came together.  It’s a good reminder it’s possible to make a big impact with a few changes like countertops, hardware and paint and that an entire kitchen reno isn’t always necessary. 

Now to whip up something delicious in my new favourite room at the cottage.

Big love,

Danielle