I was showing my listing at The Button Factory – one of the first adaptive reuse conversions I was engaged in back in the mid-1990s – and I had this moment of envy for the future Buyer as I stood in the kitchen of this sun-drenched vintage brick and beam loft. It struck me at how much perfection exists in this space – for its design, utility, and sheer beauty – and how the future resident chef is going to have moments of extreme gratitude to be in a space that serves their culinary creativity.
Form & Function
This intelligently designed kitchen is located on the top level in the ‘L’ of an ‘L-shaped’ loft, so when one climbs the stairs to arrive at this open plan entertainment level, the kitchen appears to be around the corner and tucked away. It’s not until you move through the space that the kitchen reveals itself.
At first sight, one sees the massive island with a breakfast bar, which is the perfect place for gathering friends, with plenty of space to do a potluck or a buffet. It contains the Bosch dishwasher and the sink, which I particularly like because we often spend a lot of our time doing food prep and dish rinsing while standing at the sink, so it naturally creates an opportunity to converse and engage with one’s guests when entertaining.
I also like how it consists of two banks of cabinets, one of which faces the dining table. This is where one can store all the items one needs for entertaining one might not use on a daily basis, like your decanter, crystal, and serving platters. Opposite it, a Wolf gas range and Samsung double-door fridge with icemaker are located. They’re well-situated, as they form the perfect working triangle, which is STILL the Best Way to Design a Kitchen. I love the open shelving, and the stone counters (green is the 2021 on-trend colour right now).
A Butler’s Pantry
Having designed numerous kitchens, I have to say a former owner was extremely clever when they created this Butler’s Pantry. With plenty of storage and counter space (including a spot for the Magasonic Microwave), this room-within-a-room can get messy without too much stress as one can just close the bi-fold doors. It’s instantly accessible but a private zone, which anyone with an open concept kitchen currently would appreciate.
How amazing is that?
A Factory Window With Garden Vista
Every time I’m in this kitchen I stand on the vintage wood plank floors in front of the enormous former factory window overlooking the pretty gardens of Little Italy and the surrounding Victorian architecture and think how amazing it would be to see the sun traverse the sky from sunrise through mid-afternoon. These south-facing factory windows (and a massive skylight over the lounge area) flood the space in natural light, and the vista is surprisingly bucolic and private. Virtually no one has a direct view into this loft, which makes it unique and special given it’s right in the centre of the city.
I smile because I picture squeezing fresh orange juice to make a mimosa for the lover I don’t have on a Sunday morning while making blueberry pancakes with maple syrup.
Yes, it’s that dreamy.
200 Clinton Unit 3 In The Button Factory
Want to see more? Check out An Authentic Brick & Beam Loft Townhouse In Little Italy’s Button Factory, Offered For $1,569,000
Here are a few of my posts on Kitchens:
–> Dear Urbaneer: How Should We Renovate Our Kitchen With Resale In Mind?
–> My Perfect Efficient Swell Dwell Kitchen
And on Lofts:
–> About Vintage Brick & Beam Factory Conversions & Concrete ‘N Cool Contemporary Lofts In Toronto
–> The 8 Largest Loft Condominium Conversions In Toronto
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-The Urbaneer Team
Steven Fudge, Sales Representative
& The Innovative Urbaneer Team
Bosley Real Estate Ltd., Brokerage – (416) 322-800
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