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.
Photographer: Alex Lukey
Source: House & Home March 2016
Designer: Kai Ethier
Walnut cabinets add warmth, a scalloped backsplash boosts character, and a spacious island is perfect for the entire family to congregate around.
Photographer: Alex Lukey
Source: House & Home March 2016
Designer: Kai Ethier
Kai seamlessly integrated the fridge (left) into the cabinetry and elevated the look with custom matte-black appliance pulls.
Photographer: Alex Lukey
Source: House & Home March 2016
Designer: Kai Ethier
Designer Erika Floysvik took advantage of soaring ceilings in her Toronto loft and installed a 9′-high solid walnut shelving unit to corral dinnerware.
Photographer: Valerie Wilcox
Source: House & Home September 2016
Designer: Erika Floysvik
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.
Photographer: Donna Griffith
Source: House & Home October 2015
Designer: Sam Sacks
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.
Photographer: Donna Griffith
Source: House & Home October 2015
Designer: Sam Sacks
An exposed brick wall is a textural counterpoint to the smooth, organic finish of the wood. Sculptural, white ceramics keep the look modern.
Photographer: Donna Griffith
Source: House & Home October 2015
Designer: Sam Sacks
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.
Photographer: Angus Fergusson
Source: House & Home June 2014
Designer: Suzanne Dimma and Arriz Hassam
Suzanne and Arriz had the walnut cabinets custom-made with bevelled-edge detailing for an extra element of character.
Photographer: Angus Fergusson
Source: House & Home June 2014
Designer: Suzanne Dimma and Arriz Hassam
An elegant wine rack delineates the space between the fridge and pantry.
Photographer: Angus Fergusson
Source: House & Home June 2014
Designer: Suzanne Dimma and Arriz Hassam
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.
Photographer: Kim Jeffery
Source: House & Home May 2013
Designer: Patsy Bell
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.
Photographer: Kim Jeffery
Source: House & Home May 2013
Designer: Patsy Bell
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.
Photographer: Alex Lukey
Source: House & Home October 2015
Designer: Sarah Hartill
A beverage nook beside the fridge breaks up the wall of closed storage and offers a sweet spot to display favorite glassware and cookbooks.
Photographer: Alex Lukey
Source: House & Home October 2015
Designer: Sarah Hartill
A mix of flat-front lower cabinets and framed uppers with a horizontal grain give this warm walnut kitchen modern appeal.
Photographer: Alex Lukey
Source: House & Home February 2015
Designer: Kim Lambert
A striking Silver Wave marble island anchors the space, while a colorful chandelier by Castor adds a playful note overhead.
Photographer: Alex Lukey
Source: House & Home February 2015
Designer: Kim Lambert
High walnut baseboards in the dining area serve as an extension of the kitchen cabinets. A teak hutch provides an extra spot for storage.
Photographer: Alex Lukey
Source: House & Home February 2015
Designer: Kim Lambert
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.
Photographer: Virginia Macdonald
Source: House & Home September 2015
Designer: Rock Huynh and My Le Nguyen
In this kitchen, a walnut-clad pantry wall adds warmth and texture amid a mix of smooth, polished materials, including marble and stainless steel.
Photographer: Valerie Wilcox
Source: House & Home April 2017
Designer: Stephanie Pellatt, Pivot Design Group; Leanne Tammaro and Adolphina Karachok, Designtheory
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.
Photographer: Valerie Wilcox
Source: House & Home April 2017
Designer: Stephanie Pellatt, Pivot Design Group; Leanne Tammaro and Adolphina Karachok, Designtheory
A mix of walnut cabinets and off-white quartz countertops are an elegant, modern combination in actor Yannick Bisson ‘s kitchen.
Photographer: Alex Lukey
Source: House & Home March 2014
Designer: Eric McClelland
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.
Photographer: Alex Lukey
Source: House & Home March 2014
Designer: Eric McClelland
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.
Photographer: Angus Fergusson
Source: House & Home March 2013
Designer: Barbara Purdy
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.
Photographer: Angus Fergusson
Source: House & Home March 2013
Designer: Barbara Purdy
Designer Silvana D’Addazio offset warm, walnut-panelled lower cabinets with glass-paned uppers in her own Toronto kitchen.
Photographer: Michael Graydon
Source: House & Home January 2014
Designer: Silvana D'Addazio
A slim walnut island provides an extra prep surface in this narrow Toronto kitchen by designer Jeffrey Douglas.
Photographer: Michael Graydon
Source: House & Home January 2013
Designer: Jeffrey Douglas