Designers dish on what the key ingredients are in these nine kitchens, each with its own unique flavour.

A kitchen reno always starts with ideas about how you want to live, cook and connect with family and friends in the heart of the home. But knowing what style you love is just as important. The designers of these kitchens reveal the elements, large and small, that make these rooms a success. Read on to get inspired and start conspiring to get the kitchen of your dreams.

🔶COASTAL VIEW

NICOLE VARGA & TRISH KNIGHT, Knight Varga Interiors

PHOTOGRAPHY, Janis Nicolay 

CABINETRY, McQueen Construction. CABINETRY PAINT, Pidgeon 25, Farrow & Ball. BACKSPLASH TILE, Ann Sacks. Silestone COUNTERTOP, Cosentino. APPLIANCES, Midland Appliance. Brizo FAUCET, Kohler SINK, Emco Corporation. LIGHT FIXTURES, Robinson Lighting & Bath. Custom ROMAN SHADES, Knight Varga Interiors; FABRIC, Alendel. HARDWARE, Bradford Hardware. KNOBS, PULLS, Top Knobs.

The Brief

This new-build in Comox, B.C., is home to a family of four (plus two cats). “Early on, we established that the overall feel was West Coast casual – a relaxed, tranquil vibe that balances classic and modern elements,” says Nicole Varga. She and Trish Knight opted for textural white walls, warm wood tones, a mix of metals, and soft linens in the adjoining living room.

Favourite Features

The handmade square ceramic tiles in warm white on the fullheight backsplash add texture without pattern and balance the dining room’s board-and-battan wall detail. Two millwork styles – vertical slat white oak and painted Shaker style – add in more subtle pattern, as well as soft colour. Open shelving allows display of lovely objects that are meaningful to the family.

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🔶ORDER & EASE

DIANA BASTONE, Diana Bastone Designs

PHOTOGRAPHY, Stephani Buchman  

 

The Brief

Room to entertain, tons of storage and high functionality for everyday use were priorities. Items like small appliances needed to be neatly stashed away but also easily accessible. A clutter-free cooking area was a request, with plenty of closed storage for pots, pans and utensils – and two ovens for crowds.

Favourite Features

A built-in coffee maker satisfies the avid coffee drinker in the family; black finishes, a touchless faucet and a pot filler elevated and personalized the room’s functionality and aesthetics. Materials like the solid surface counters and backsplash (which require no cleaning of grout) and leather stools ensure low maintenance. 

PHOTOGRAPHY, Stephani Buchman  

COUNTERTOP, Caesarstone. TABLE, Moe’s Home Collection. CHAIRS, CB2. STOOLS, Pottery Barn. LIGHTING, Universal Lighting. FIXTURES, Taps. CABINETRY HARDWARE, Richelieu Hardware. BLINDS, Maple Drapery & Carpet. RUNNER, Ruggable.

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🔶A CLEAN EDIT

STEPHANIE MARTIN, Stephanie Martin Interior Design

PHOTOGRAPHY, Eymeric Widling 

The Brief

Intentional storage, minimal ornamentation and an easy-to-clean room were the clients’ requests.

Favourite Features

The powerful veining of the backsplash and range hood bring striking beauty to the pared-back space. Interior organization units – spice pullouts, knife and utensil storage, and an intentional plan of where and how to store all kitchen items – brought maximum functionality. Integrated panelled appliances help to achieve the calming, uncluttered aesthetic.

PHOTOGRAPHY, Eymeric Widling

ARCHITECTURE, John Trinh & Associates. CONSTRUCTION, West Ridge Fine Homes. CABINETRY DESIGN, Stephanie Martin Interior Design; FABRICATION, Metro Furniture & Fine Cabinetry. STOOLS, Rove Concepts. LIGHT FIXTURE, Visual Comfort. Black COUNTERTOP, Caesarstone. Porcelain RANGE HOOD, BACKSPLASH, Julian Tile. APPLIANCES, Miele.

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🔶A NEW VIEW

KATE DICKSON, The Dickson Design Group

PHOTOGRAPHY, Valerie Wilcox
 

The Brief

The clients – a busy family of five who love to entertain – desired a spacious kitchen with dining and bar areas. Their top priority was positioning a banquette and kitchen sink facing the front of the house to take in the street view.

Favourite Features

The standout features include the blue-grey cabinets, a custom leather banquette, ample storage, and the hand-crafted duck mobiles made by the client’s father, which now grace the bar and dining areas. Best of all, the reno went smoothly: Kate worked with the owners to finalize plans and select all elements before breaking ground.

PHOTOGRAPHY, Valerie Wilcox

CABINETRY PAINT, Gentle Gray 1626, Benjamin Moore. APPLIANCES, Bosch. TILE BACKSPLASH, The Tile Store. PENDANTS (above island), STOOLS, Design Within Reach. Hammered brass PENDANT, Crate and Barrel. CABINETRY HARDWARE, Berenson.

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🔶MODERN ELEGANCE

DANA EILATH, Dana Eilath Design

PHOTOGRAPHY, Kerri Torrey
 

The Brief

The need for a family-friendly space where the kids could do homework while the parents cooked drove decisions in this kitchen reno, as did a desire for a bright, open-concept, functional room that straddled modern and timeless styles.

Favourite Features

Although the new layout meant closing off a window to accommodate the new marble range hood (a stellar focal point), the room is flooded with light thanks to a new wall of windows. The large island makes room for kids and is also ideal for entertaining. Black cabinets occupy places prone to fingerprints and spills – a practical solution that’s also striking. Storage is abundant: everyday items are hidden away for a clean look. 

PHOTOGRAPHY, Kerri Torrey

Arabescato Corchia marble COUNTERTOP, BACKSPLASH, RANGE HOOD, Tuscany Natural Stone & Quartz. LIGHTING FIXTURES, Hudson Valley Lighting Group. JennAir APPLIANCES, Tasco Appliances. STOOLS, Amisco. Perrin & Rowe FAUCET, Tubs. CABINETRY HARDWARE, Top Knobs.

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🔶CENTURIES OF STYLE

DESIGN, Birchview Design 

PHOTOGRAPHY, Ashley Adams

The Brief

Enlarge a tight two-person-max kitchen in a century home so the parents and two children could be together. Increase storage dramatically and honour the Victorian architecture while making the room function and feel like a 21st-century family kitchen.

Favourite Features

Relocating a stairwell let the designers rejig the back of the house. A new mudroom was added, eliminating an exterior door that led to the kitchen. Removing the wall between the kitchen and dining room enlarged the kitchen physically and visually. Storage features abound: hidden paper towel dispenser; oil and spice rollout; nifty in-cabinet organizers, and more. Dark green cabinets nod to the home’s age; white oak ushers in this century.

PHOTOGRAPHY, Ashley Adams

HanStone Montauk quartz BACKSPLASH, COUNTERTOPS, SHELF, Delray Granite. TILE, FLOORING, Whelan’s Flooring Centre. Custom DINING TABLE, MILLWORK, Cabinetree. SCONCES, PENDANTS (above island), Lighting Interiors and More.

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🔶PARIS, TOUJOURS

KELLI RICHARDS, Kelli Richards Interiors

PHOTOGRAPHY, Maxime Brouillet
 

The Brief

This kitchen redo was part of a whole-home reno of a century-old semidetached. The family wanted a relaxed Parisian feel.

Favourite Features

The first floor was entirely reconfigured and the kitchen was relocated from its original location; now it opens to a new family room – ideal for parents and young kids. Natural stone was on the clients’ must-have list. Luckily, a full slab of Calacatta Oro marble was sourced – it required the coordination of 10 installers and is now a defining feature. The elegant custom cabinetry has applied moulding and brings old-world charm. A table-height extension to the island is a gathering spot; its dark wood and modern profile contrast beautifully.

PHOTOGRAPHY, Maxime Brouillet
 

CONSTRUCTION, Newsam Construction. MILLWORK DESIGN, Kelli Richards Interiors; FABRICATION, Galleria Design. MARBLE, Arta Ceramic. PENDANT LIGHTS, PORTABLE LAMP (coffee station), DINING CHAIRS, GLASSWARE, DISHES, ACCESSORIES, Kelli. FIXTURES, Plomberie PMF. ROMAN SHADE, House on the Rock Design.

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🔶TIMELY DESIGN

ERIN JONES, Erin Interiors

PHOTOGRAPHY, Stephani Buchman
 

The Brief

A couple who love to entertain wanted a kitchen that let them bring friends and family together with ease. The vision for the kitchen in this weekend getaway (which is destined to be the couple’s future permanent residence) was to create a calm, welcoming space that related to the home’s captivating views of Lake Ontario.

Favourite Features

The expansive lake view inspired the palette, which centres on soft teal; layering in textures added coziness to the airy colour scheme. The coffee bar works for coffee during the day and evening cocktails when entertaining; its backsplash tiles add a spectrum of blues and a touch of whimsy to the kitchen’s mostly classic transitional design elements. Opening the kitchen to the family room helps everyone feel connected at gatherings.

PHOTOGRAPHY, Stephani Buchman
 

CONSTRUCTION, Lyons Construction. CABINETRY, COUNTERTOP, Olympic Kitchens. BACKSPLASH TILE, Saltillo Imports (coffee bar), Whitby Tile Centre (perimeter). PENDANT LIGHTS, Light House Co. APPLIANCES, Goemans. FAUCET, Brizo. SINK, Blanco. RUNNER, Loloi Rugs. HARDWARE, Emtek.

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🔶BOLD CHARACTER

SARAH EVE HÉBERT, Perron Design

PHOTOGRAPHY, Drew Hadley 

The Brief

The previous cookie-cutter kitchen where popular nutritionist and author Hubert Cormier (shown below) presides was blah, so the mandate was to inject big personality. Everything had to go: a total reorganization of space was required.

Favourite Features

Natural wood and a warm palette of caramel and light and dark blues transformed the room into a vibrant space. Once-blocky cabinets were energized by new curves and wood slats. Tons of storage keeps it tidy; fabulous custom shelves allow display and organization of everyday ingredients. 

PHOTOGRAPHY, Drew Hadley 

CABINETRY DESIGN, Perron Design; FABRICATION, Ébénisterie Globale. LIGHT FIXTURE (above island), Lambert & Fils. Quartz COUNTERTOP, BACKSPLASH, Caesarstone. SINK, FAUCET, Tubs. WALL FAUCET, Rubinet. Bobby STOOLS, Design by Them. Built-in FRIDGE, SubZero-Wolf.

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