Decorating & Design
Two Kitchens Are Better Than One In This Hardworking Hub
Published on March 26, 2020
You’d never know it, but this bright and airy open-concept kitchen has a hidden counterpart! The Vancouver homeowners love cooking, so to make the 342-square-foot space even more hardworking, designer Tanya Krpan added a second prep area. See how blended warm oak, clean white accents and a sleek marble island create a clean, fresh gathering place for the family to prepare dinner and enjoy time together.
This new house’s open-concept main kitchen is a mix of bleached white oak and white-painted MDF cabinets to balance warmth and brightness. A large full-height built-in (double doors left of range) is actually a coat and broom closet. A trio of lights anchors the island, and cupboards in the front provide plenty of storage.
“We wanted it to be fresh and light,” says Tanya. “In Vancouver, it gets gray and dark in the winter, so we wanted lots of windows and a really bright look all year round.”
The bridge faucet is a modern take on a traditional element.
The backsplash and back counter are a composite quartz that complements the island’s authentic marble. “When you see it up close, it has a lot of depth,” she says.
A custom vent hood blends into the matte white cabinets.
Engineered hardwood flooring and bleached white oak cabinets look crisp. A nook by the fridge acts as the bar. “It has a counter for serving drinks and open shelves for display,” says Tanya.
A reeded glass door lets light filter in to the prep kitchen, which is equipped with a full-size Wolf range, pot filler, bar sink and pantry. “A second kitchen is popular here in Vancouver; I’ve done many houses with that plan and have one myself,” she says.
To save money in the prep kitchen, 16-inch by 3-inch textured tiles were subbed in for quartz composite slabs. Daily cooking tends to happen in this kitchen so everyday dishware is stored here, with bigger platters and glassware in the main kitchen.
Janis Nicolay
House & Home March 2020
Tanya Krpan