Decorating & Design
September 25, 2017
This One Thing Will Add Warmth To Any Kitchen
Rich, elegant and versatile, walnut is a time-tested favorite in kitchens for its ability to add instant warmth and style. Click through to see 13 kitchens that have embraced this soulful wood!
H&H design editor Kai Ethier fulfilled homeowners Deirdre Matthews and James Sayce’s kitchen makeover wish list for a family-friendly space with clean and contemporary style.
Walnut cabinets add warmth, a scalloped backsplash boosts character, and a spacious island is perfect for the entire family to congregate around.
Kai seamlessly integrated the fridge (left) into the cabinetry and elevated the look with custom matte-black appliance pulls.
Designer Erika Floysvik took advantage of soaring ceilings in her Toronto loft and installed a 9′-high solid walnut shelving unit to corral dinnerware.
Walnut cabinets coupled with white Calacatta marble create an inviting space for entertaining in this generously-sized kitchen. Stools and accessories in a similar wood tone blend in effortlessly.
Integrated pulls disappear into the grain and give the kitchen a casual yet cohesive look. To prevent the space from feeling monochromatic, designer Sam Sacks opted for Belgian white oak floors.
An exposed brick wall is a textural counterpoint to the smooth, organic finish of the wood. Sculptural, white ceramics keep the look modern.
A combination of painted uppers, walnut lower cabinets and a show-stopping Statuario marble island create a rich, layered look in Suzanne Dimma and Arriz Hassam’s Toronto kitchen.
Suzanne and Arriz had the walnut cabinets custom-made with bevelled-edge detailing for an extra element of character.
An elegant wine rack delineates the space between the fridge and pantry.
Natural color and texture abound in this modern kitchen. Streamlined white cabinets and countertops give due attention to walnut lower cabinets, white-oak floors and a modest sisal rug.
On the other side of the island, a trio of walnut barstools work with the kitchen’s nature-inspired theme. A long transom window keeps the space well-lit throughout the day.
Modern lines and a natural, pared-down palette — including the glossy white and walnut-like cabinet — make this hardworking kitchen by designer Sarah Hartill a favorite gathering place.
A beverage nook beside the fridge breaks up the wall of closed storage and offers a sweet spot to display favorite glassware and cookbooks.
A mix of flat-front lower cabinets and framed uppers with a horizontal grain give this warm walnut kitchen modern appeal.
A striking Silver Wave marble island anchors the space, while a colorful chandelier by Castor adds a playful note overhead.
High walnut baseboards in the dining area serve as an extension of the kitchen cabinets. A teak hutch provides an extra spot for storage.
A walnut dining table divides the kitchen and living area in this compact, 800-square-foot family home. When needed, the table can be used as an extra prep space.
In this kitchen, a walnut-clad pantry wall adds warmth and texture amid a mix of smooth, polished materials, including marble and stainless steel.
On the island, flat-front walnut cabinets with recessed pulls keep the overall look clean. A set of barstools offer a casual spot to dine.
A mix of walnut cabinets and off-white quartz countertops are an elegant, modern combination in actor Yannick Bisson‘s kitchen.
Designer Eric McClelland chose the two-toned, white-and-wood scheme for its simplicity. “The main impetus of the design was bringing the outside indoors with the vast space and views,” he explains.
Folding walnut stools pop against a white-panelled island, and can be easily tucked away when not in use. A table lamp wired into the island is an eclectic design choice, but one that ensures the space remains well-lit.
Walnut open shelving and glass-fronted cabinets make the kitchen feel more expansive. Subway tile with dark grout lends the room a bistro-inspired feel.
Designer Silvana D’Addazio offset warm, walnut-panelled lower cabinets with glass-paned uppers in her own Toronto kitchen.
A slim walnut island provides an extra prep surface in this narrow Toronto kitchen by designer Jeffrey Douglas.