Kitchens
April 19, 2016
30 Fresh & Functional Eat-In Kitchens
Whether it features a long harvest table or a slim breakfast bar, an eat-in kitchen is a real luxury. In these combined spaces, families can come together and just catch up at the end of the day. Plus, they’re the ideal backdrop for entertaining, letting the host join in on the party and offering guests a peek at the behind-the-scenes action. Click through to admire some of the most beautiful and practical eat-in kitchens to be featured in the pages of H&H.
In Murdoch Mysteries star Yannick Bisson’s kitchen, a large dining table and sleek breakfast bar offer plenty of room for his family to gather. Transparent chairs and a graceful ceiling-mounted sculpture keep the wood-clad space from feeling heavy.
Designer Carl Lapointe’s sunny eat-in kitchen features a clever banquette that seats a crowd and doubles as a bookshelf (a great space-saving solution for smaller kitchens). After sunset, a pendant light by Montreal-based designers Lambert & Fils casts an intimate glow.
A sculptural Saarinen table and metal Russell Woodard chairs create a sweet spot for dining in this airy Palm Springs kitchen, while a rustic plank ceiling adds a little texture overhead.
With its industrial doors and rough-hewn breakfast bar, this kitchen by designer Trish Johnston has a cool, urban vibe. “I looked to the architectural details of old Brooklyn to balance the kitchen’s modern bistro feel,” Trish says.
Montreal design duo Richard Ouellette and Maxime Vandal’s country kitchen is the stuff of dreams with its handsome exhaust cover and textured brick wall. A weathered harvest table was repurposed as an island, and is used for both cooking and casual meals.
This Montreal loft didn’t afford much square-footage for cooking and dining, but that didn’t stop designer Carl Lapointe from adding a galley kitchen, petite table and pair of chairs. Clean lines and slim profiles keep them from crowding the compact space.
TV exec Alix Jaffe’s L.A. kitchen has a seriously inviting look thanks to colorful cabinetry, charming tilework and an oversize, zinc-topped island — perfect for prep and power lunches.
In the corner of her London kitchen, designer Colette van den Thillart added this small, yet dramatic banquette. Red leather upholstery and candlelight creates a moody, romantic atmosphere.
Designers Natalie Hodgins and Kate Stuart wanted this kitchen’s cabinetry to look like antique furniture, adding pretty hardware and lots of detailing. The marble-topped island steals the show with its creamy blue color and functional overhang.
This spacious, walnut-wrapped kitchen features a mod dining table, upholstered barstools, and several clear Louis XVI-style chairs, making it ideal for entertaining groups (its heated limestone floors means it’s also a nice spot for pets to lounge).
This contemporary family kitchen boasts a huge footprint, so there was more than enough room to add an island, pedestal table and window seat. Designer Sam Sacks upholstered the dining chairs in a moss-toned velvet as a soft counterpoint to all the cool marble in the space.
Chef Mark McEwan’s Thornbury, Ont. cottage is decidedly fuss-free — and his kitchen is no exception. “It’s a simple but functional kitchen. It’s got everything I need: marble countertops, a large wood peninsula, good appliances. And I can cook a big meal here!” Mark says.
An open plan brings together the cooking and dining zones in this bright Vancouver home. During the warmer seasons, panels on the back of the house open up completely, blurring the line between indoors and out.
Food photographer Nikole Heriott’s kitchen has a hip, unfitted look. Her modular cabinets are removable, so she can take them with her if she ever moves, and the oversize island is perfectly suited for baking (and tasting!).
Large windows and crisp white walls make the most of natural light in this charming heritage kitchen. The cooking and dining areas also feature similar materials, like reclaimed wood and weathered metal, for a cohesive look.
This kitchen combines a handsome corner banquette and practical breakfast bar. For the countertops, designer Philippe Beauparlant went with a stunning orange- and pink-veined quartzite that adds real dimension to the room. “You can just stare at the counter and find all these little moments in it,” says homeowner Melissa McCaughey.
The design of this cottage kitchen is contemporary and quiet, keeping the focus on gorgeous natural views. A simple wooden dining table and vintage Thonet chairs add a touch of warmth to the mostly white space.
H&H alum and designer Sarah Hartill outfitted the peninsula in this family kitchen with an 8″-deep overhang to create a handy breakfast bar. She also added a sweet corner banquette with drawers under the seats for extra storage.
Kenny and Michelle Gemmill’s kitchen also features a banquette fitted with smart storage. Colorful throw pillows and ikat upholstery help break up all the white in the room.
John Baker and Juli Daoust-Baker, owners of Toronto design destination Mjölk, drew inspiration from Scandinavian and Japanese design when remodelling their city home. Their clean, open-concept kitchen features lots of pale white oak, including a simple and functional dining table designed by Børge Mogensen.
Tour the rest of this home on H&H TV.
In homeowner and style blogger Gabrielle Savoie’s petite condo kitchen, a pair of copper-plated barstools from Blu Dot add a welcome hit of warmth.
A French-polished dining set has pride of place in the center of this Halifax kitchen, inviting guests to linger over a casual dinner. Sea blue-painted cabinetry and wide-plank flooring add even more old-world charm.
Dark trim on this super-functional kitchen island helps ground all the white cabinetry and millwork in the room, while polished steel stools tie in nicely with the pendant lights overhead.
Hits of black on the kitchen cabinetry, pendant lighting and fireplace tie together the different zones in homeowner Ali Yaphe’s open-concept space. A long, modern table surrounded by Wishbone chairs is perfect for hosting large groups.
Though this Langley, B.C., home is a new-build, its interiors have a historical, European-farmhouse vibe. Refined pieces like turned-leg chairs and ornate chandeliers look rustic rendered in weathered wood.
A long, white-oak dining table and kid-friendly benches make every meal feel like an indoor picnic in this Pender Island, B.C., kitchen. Mismatched pendant lights strike a whimsical note in the Nordic-inspired space.
Retailer Bonnie Brooks’ kitchen has plenty of rustic appeal, with walnut-finished cabinetry, bluestone flooring, and a long weathered-wood table. “Bonnie was drawn to the honest earthiness of Belgian country design,” shares designer Jill Kantelberg.
This Montreal kitchen seamlessly blends stainless steel, quartz and several tones of wood for a rich, layered look. Cool bentwood chairs around the dining table and island offer plenty of space to hang out.
A sturdy wooden island is the main attraction for both dining and entertaining in this English country-style kitchen by Toronto designer James Davie.
In this elegant kitchen, a 12-foot-long, marble-topped table sets the stage for casual dining. Custom low-backed chairs were designed to keep sight lines open (and be comfortable!).