After 20 years, a family kitchen is renovated for making fine food and fun times.

At a certain point, you’ve just got to face it if your kitchen isn’t working. That’s what happened for this cook-together, laugh-together family of five in Whitby, Ont. “Most days, they wanted to cook and eat at home,” says designer Orsi Panos. But the kitchen was so cramped and dark, plus it was cut off from the rest of the home. Orsi took the reins, removing walls to meld happy times in the family room with fun cooking adventures in the kitchen. A sensational 10-plus-foot island is handy for rolling out cookie dough and gets a workout as homework central on school nights. Now the family has ample room to chop, bake and make memories.

Over & Over

The huge island is emphasized by its parade of lights and row of counter stools. “Repeating identical shapes pleases the eye and creates a sense of order,” says designer Orsi Panos. The rustic range hood echoes the rich tones in the island base and window frames. The custom butcher block – chop! chop! – was chosen for its European charm. “I can’t wait till it gets that wonderful well-used, well-loved look,” says the designer.

 

Photography, Valerie Wilcox

Light & Dark

The base of the island pops against the bank of white millwork of the pantry and refrigerator. And while the island adds flair, it also bolsters family-forward functionality: the pullout fridge drawer makes it easy for the kids to grab drinks, and parents can quickly heat leftovers right in the under-counter microwave.

 

Photography, Valerie Wilcox

Hints & Hideaways

The reeded glass in the wooden upper cabinet (top right) holds drinkware. “Most of us don’t have china cabinets anymore, so including a glass-fronted cabinet is a relaxed-looking alternative,” says Orsi. The modern, airy look of open shelves is great, but small appliances are better off hidden away, so Orsi customized a pullout cubby (bottom right) that glides effortlessly below an attractive display shelf.

 

Photography, Valerie Wilcox

 

Photography, Valerie Wilcox

In the Details

The white cabinetry and light, stone-textured sink contrast their dark, bold fixtures and hardware. “Details like this are the most overlooked but are, in fact, the single most important of all the finishing touches. Bad choices ruin a good look, and good choices elevate a space,” says Orsi.

 

Photography, Valerie Wilcox

 

Photography, Valerie Wilcox

These Days

“Kitchens have become extensions of our living spaces,” says Orsi. “So, if there’s room in there for art, why not?” She’s referring to the framed graphite artwork that’s propped on an open shelf beneath a stately library sconce. Like the sisal runner, wall art gives the kitchen a more casual, approachable vibe. Says Orsi: “It downplays the utilitarian aspect of the kitchen by softening harder surfaces, such as the porcelain backsplash and countertops.”

 

Photography, Valerie Wilcox

DESIGN, custom STOOLS, Orsi Panos Interiors. PENDANTS, Robinson Lighting & Bath. COUNTERTOPS, BACKSPLASH, TCE Stone. CABINETRY, ISLAND, Shelves, Wheelers Studio. HARDWARE, Madison Hardware. ARTWORK, M.J. Thomas. Sconce, Wayfair. RUG, IKEA. SINK, Blanco. FAUCETS, FIXTURES, Roman Bath Centre.