Decorating & Design
September 7, 2021
This Stylish & Efficient Kitchen Is Perfect For A Busy Family
When homeowners Emily and Peter Atkinson decided to tear down their house in Toronto’s Kingsway neighborhood and build their dream home, there was no question who they’d call for the design. “Emily is a dear friend of ours,” says Kate Krasic of Kate + Amanda Design Studio. “It was something she’d been looking forward to doing for a long time. And it was a given that we were going to be a part of it.”
Like many homes in the west end neighborhood, this one was handsome but dark. “Emily wanted things to feel comfortable and family-friendly, but she also wanted the room to be clean and a little more sophisticated,” says Amanda Nycz. The designers pulled together a dream team, made up of architects Ph.D. Design, kitchen specialists Kingsway Village Custom Homes and cabinetmakers Downsview Kitchens.
What they created is a kitchen that truly acts as the hub of the home. It’s open to the living room, with a butler’s pantry and dining room to one side, and a breakfast nook to the other (with an outdoor fireplace and pool just outside).
The team was on the same page for almost every decision. “The greatest challenge was convincing Emily and Peter to do herringbone floors,” says Kate. Emily was leaning toward wide planks, worrying she might tire of herringbone. “That could have pushed it into a country farmhouse vibe,” says Amanda. “They said to us, ‘If you really feel that herringbone is the thing, then we’ll do it.’ ” The result is subtle but adds the refinement that Emily and Peter were after.
The chemistry of this group was special enough for Amanda and Kate to ask Emily and Peter if they’d be willing to start over. “It was such a good group!” says Kate. “We said, ‘Why don’t you sell this house, and we’ll do it all over again?’ ” The owners are thinking about it, so the designers will have to wait to recreate the magic. For now, the pair is in love with their kitchen. Says Amanda, “That brings us so much joy.”
Scroll down to see more of this hardworking kitchen!
Why We Love It
- Perfect Palette: Brass and pale wood bring warmth to a white kitchen.
- Stylish Stone: Veined porcelain gives a marble look with extra durability.
- Pattern Play: The herringbone pattern on the floors adds European flair.
- Smart Storage: A wall of cabinets plus a butler’s pantry mean that everything is easy to tuck away.
Use Stylish Symmetry
“Kitchens that are balanced like Emily and Peter’s have a more sophisticated look,” says Amanda. The designers highlighted this symmetry by adding custom-built white oak cabinets on either side of the vent hood. Large brass pendants pop against the veined marble-look porcelain.
Create A Custom Blend
The designers considered wrapping white crown molding across the top of the display cabinets, but decided that white oak molding gave them the look of custom-made furniture. Emily uses these cabinets for frequently used plates, bowls and cups.
Keep It Clean
Integrating the side-by-side fridge and freezer allows the large appliances to be hidden in the wall of storage, creating a streamlined look.
Play Up Sight Lines
French doors separate — but don’t close off — the adjacent butler’s pantry and dining room beyond. “We knew we wanted to do something special, not a typical interior door,” says Kate. The custom-made doors’ slim wood frames warm up the white cabinets.
Do Double Duty
The small passageway between the kitchen and dining room is an entertainer’s dream, offering prep space, extra dishwashers, designated fridges for wine and beer, and a clever cabinet with retractable doors for hiding or displaying a full bar.
Lighten Up
The breakfast nook is surrounded by French doors, making it a perennially sunny spot. The designers toyed with the idea of bringing in a black accent, but decided against it so the space wouldn’t compete with the kitchen itself. “The white pendant is sculptural, and the more you look at it, the more special it becomes,” says Amanda.
Valerie Wilcox
House & Home Kitchens + Baths 2021
Kate Krasic & Amanda Nycz