Comments
Sponsored Content
Pro Spotlight: 3 Designer Tips to Accommodate a Cook’s Creativity
How to design an enduring kitchen that suits your personal cooking style
Sponsored Content
Who: Tatiana Betancourt of GT Kitchen & Bath Design Studio
Where: Toronto
In her own words: “The key to timeless kitchen design is building on classic elements. Your kitchen’s skeleton should age well. Then mix in some personalized elements and add a dash of what’s trending.”
A good chef can adapt a recipe to suit their style, as long as the elemental ingredients remain. So it goes with kitchen design. Interior designer Tatiana Betancourt of Toronto-based GT Kitchen & Bath Design Studio encourages clients to take the long view when planning a kitchen remodel. By focusing on their lifestyle as well as the materials and colors they’re drawn to, Betancourt helps clients create kitchens they’ll love for years to come.
Where: Toronto
In her own words: “The key to timeless kitchen design is building on classic elements. Your kitchen’s skeleton should age well. Then mix in some personalized elements and add a dash of what’s trending.”
A good chef can adapt a recipe to suit their style, as long as the elemental ingredients remain. So it goes with kitchen design. Interior designer Tatiana Betancourt of Toronto-based GT Kitchen & Bath Design Studio encourages clients to take the long view when planning a kitchen remodel. By focusing on their lifestyle as well as the materials and colors they’re drawn to, Betancourt helps clients create kitchens they’ll love for years to come.
A background in art. Betancourt studied fine art and design in college. “We covered all different mediums and mixes, as well as art history and architectural drawing,” she says. That background helped Betancourt become well-rounded in all aspects of design. “I learned how to see three-dimensionally and what both balances and fills a space,” she says.
New classic design. After college, Betancourt worked in real estate — but her creative side beckoned. “Design is really in my blood,” she says. Ten years ago, she teamed up with her husband to begin remodeling kitchens and baths. With her husband handling the technical side, Betancourt focused on designing renovations tailor-made for clients’ lifestyles.
Since then she’s seen fashions come and go — and two trends that have evolved into mainstays of kitchen design. “Open-concept, multiuse kitchen spaces are here to stay,” Betancourt says. “Also, extending the indoor space into the outdoor areas is a perennial favorite.”
Want a classic kitchen designed for your own personal cooking style? Read Betancourt’s tips below.
Since then she’s seen fashions come and go — and two trends that have evolved into mainstays of kitchen design. “Open-concept, multiuse kitchen spaces are here to stay,” Betancourt says. “Also, extending the indoor space into the outdoor areas is a perennial favorite.”
Want a classic kitchen designed for your own personal cooking style? Read Betancourt’s tips below.
1. Think 10 Years Ahead
Betancourt asks clients to remember their favorite features and aesthetics from 10 years ago and also to project 10 years into the future. “Think about what’s changed and what you tend to gravitate toward,” she suggests. “What can you live with for a long time?” Custom cabinetry, natural stone counters and tile backsplashes are built to last at least a decade. “Choose something you’ll love and that makes you feel good over the long term,” Betancourt says.
This open-concept kitchen in Toronto is built around the owner’s longtime passion — baking. “She loved the warm wooden floors but needed a lighter space with room for large projects,” Betancourt says. The white custom cabinetry features pop-up shelving for mixers and specialized slots for baking trays. Betancourt installed a double oven and a new peninsula, and she extended the center island to create ample working space. Sliding glass doors lead to the backyard, bringing the feeling of the garden and creek inside. “It’s really an oasis in the heart of the city,” Betancourt says.
See more of this project
Betancourt asks clients to remember their favorite features and aesthetics from 10 years ago and also to project 10 years into the future. “Think about what’s changed and what you tend to gravitate toward,” she suggests. “What can you live with for a long time?” Custom cabinetry, natural stone counters and tile backsplashes are built to last at least a decade. “Choose something you’ll love and that makes you feel good over the long term,” Betancourt says.
This open-concept kitchen in Toronto is built around the owner’s longtime passion — baking. “She loved the warm wooden floors but needed a lighter space with room for large projects,” Betancourt says. The white custom cabinetry features pop-up shelving for mixers and specialized slots for baking trays. Betancourt installed a double oven and a new peninsula, and she extended the center island to create ample working space. Sliding glass doors lead to the backyard, bringing the feeling of the garden and creek inside. “It’s really an oasis in the heart of the city,” Betancourt says.
See more of this project
2. Consider Storage
After assessing your lifestyle, consider adding drawers and cabinetry tailored to your equipment. “This keeps a kitchen cleaner and allows your chosen aesthetic to shine,” Betancourt says.
This Toronto family wanted a traditional kitchen with a place for everything. The team at GT installed coffered ceilings, wooden cabinetry and wide-plank flooring for a traditional feel. But don’t be fooled by the elegant appearance: “The amount of storage and functionality in this kitchen is huge,” Betancourt says.
Multiple drawers provide ample storage space, ensuring surfaces stay clear. Appliance garages hide the toaster and the children’s smoothie-making station. “There’s even a cabinet for storing step stools in the island,” Betancourt says. Glass doors lead to the family vegetable garden.
See more of this project
After assessing your lifestyle, consider adding drawers and cabinetry tailored to your equipment. “This keeps a kitchen cleaner and allows your chosen aesthetic to shine,” Betancourt says.
This Toronto family wanted a traditional kitchen with a place for everything. The team at GT installed coffered ceilings, wooden cabinetry and wide-plank flooring for a traditional feel. But don’t be fooled by the elegant appearance: “The amount of storage and functionality in this kitchen is huge,” Betancourt says.
Multiple drawers provide ample storage space, ensuring surfaces stay clear. Appliance garages hide the toaster and the children’s smoothie-making station. “There’s even a cabinet for storing step stools in the island,” Betancourt says. Glass doors lead to the family vegetable garden.
See more of this project
3. Add a Trendy Pop
Betancourt often suggests that clients keep the kitchen’s perimeter classic and add modern elements through the details. “Handles, light fixtures and even some shelving can easily be swapped out if you (or future owners) tire of them,” she says. Pops of color can keep a kitchen looking fresh but are easily painted over if you want a change.
In this Toronto family, the teenage daughter is the chef. Along the kitchen walls, Betancourt installed classic quartz counters and a gray herringbone backsplash, as well as glass-front cabinets to showcase family heirlooms. However, at the kitchen’s center she painted the movable island blue. She added a buffet with a wine rack for easy access to the patio — an ideal entertaining spot.
See more of this project
More: For more information on Tatiana Betancourt and examples of her work, visit GT Kitchen & Bath Design Studio’s Houzz profile.
This story was written by the Houzz Sponsored Content team.
Betancourt often suggests that clients keep the kitchen’s perimeter classic and add modern elements through the details. “Handles, light fixtures and even some shelving can easily be swapped out if you (or future owners) tire of them,” she says. Pops of color can keep a kitchen looking fresh but are easily painted over if you want a change.
In this Toronto family, the teenage daughter is the chef. Along the kitchen walls, Betancourt installed classic quartz counters and a gray herringbone backsplash, as well as glass-front cabinets to showcase family heirlooms. However, at the kitchen’s center she painted the movable island blue. She added a buffet with a wine rack for easy access to the patio — an ideal entertaining spot.
See more of this project
More: For more information on Tatiana Betancourt and examples of her work, visit GT Kitchen & Bath Design Studio’s Houzz profile.
This story was written by the Houzz Sponsored Content team.
GT Kitchen & Bath is a one stop shop for all your kitchen, bath and cabinetry needs.
Our dedicated team will... Read More
Review by Kathleen Mundy:
To suggest customer service is fantastic is a understatement when working with Tatiana, Gabriel and their team. From the fist meeting our vision was captured and the execution completely on point. Our...More