Filed under: Kitchen, Your Home, Projects
"The light from my kitchen bleeds into the living room. I need something that only lights up small areas and still looks sleek." -- Dakin ParkerTHE HOMEOWNER
Dakin Parker
BEFORE
As the first stop in his tiny apartment, Parker's kitchen also doubles as his entryway. You know what they say about first impressions, so the design choices he makes here are going to set the tone for the entire space. We've already addressed his storage dilemmas but his choice of lighting (or lack of) is turning out to be another problem.
For starters, Parker's not a fan of the stark overhead lighting (and we don't blame him). His fix, however, a spotlight he rigged up underneath the cabinets, is just as much of an eyesore. Yikes!
Meet designer Bob Richter, our makeover master. He's giving Dakin a much sleeker alternative to the spotlight -- a trio of Grundtal countertop lights. Installed on the underside of the cabinets, these tracks illuminate the entire length of the counter and give the kitchen a cozier feel.
But Richter didn't stop there. To make the space even more welcoming, and cohesive with the rest of the apartment, he replaced Parker's generic ceiling light with a Manljus Pendant lamp. Bob finished off the apartment's contemporary theme with a framed print that he says will really help the new fixtures shine.
AFTER
Parker's kitchen-entryway is warm and inviting thanks to ambient lighting and an updated piece overhead.
THE GOODS
To see what IKEA products were used, scroll over the pieces in the video!