By Innova Kitchen and Baths

05/22/2010
When Innova Kitchens and Baths decided that it was time to move their showroom into the upscale Dunbar / Kerrisdale area of Vancouver, the challenge was to create a showroom which would demonstrate more functionality, incorporate green finishes, include an entire office, and do so in smaller, greener, more efficient space.

With only about 500 square feet of functional space that could be dedicated to the showroom / design centre, this might have appeared as an impossibility to many. However, with design skills earned by years in the industry, owner's Paul Coker and Lee Stergios set about doing just that. As they do for clients project, Paul and Lee first started with a litany of requirements for both a state-of-the-art showroom as well as an efficient design office. Then began the arduous task of creating and critiquing numerous designs looking at everything from form and functionality, to design aesthetic and finishes.

For example, Innova's flagship display in a stunning African Mahogany demonstrates kitchen cabinetry functionality such as pantry metal pull-out systems, a metal tambour appliance garage, custom Wine X, top lit cabinet boxes with energy efficient LED pucklighting, bi-fold and pockets doors, not to mention a magic corner, recycle pull-out, garbage and cleaner storage, as well as soft-close door and drawers. The real magic of this display comes to life when one realizes that this kitchen display integrates Innova's new computer server and networking hardware, new greener laser printer/copier/fax machine with double sided printing, as well as their full colour CAD printer.

The showroom design centre also displays an armoire that doubles as Innova's catalog library, a modern second kitchen display in an environmentally green contemporary Maple Stria that demonstrates three types of cabinet door lifts and multiple drawer styles and solutions, a display island that houses two desk stations and an integrated presentation space, an antique style hutch display that holds wood finish samples, and a display that houses door samples as well as serving as a station for fabrics.

Once the functional requirements for the new showroom / office were met, Paul and Lee faced the difficult job of selecting materials and finishes that would not only demonstrate a wide variety of possible finishes but would also coordinate with one another. The result is a sophisticated mix of finishes such as African Mahogany, American Cherry in a custom finish, Walnut, Heirloom Cherry in a Black aged finish, environmentally green finishes such as engineered Maple Strias and bamboo, as well as countertop materials in engineered stones, granite, marble, butcher block and glass.

The result? A space which uses a fraction of the footprint and energy of their original offices, that feels large and spacious while crammed full of design surprises, and a space that demonstrates the power of superior interior design and renovation. Looking to book your design/renovation appointment? Paul and Lee can be reached at 604-676-1603, at their new design centre located at 5739 Collingwood Street in Vancouver, www.innovakitchens.com.