Decorating & Design
July 31, 2020
This Stunning Kitchen Is A Fresh Take On Farmhouse Style
For her clients’ kitchen, Calgary designer Nyla Free wanted a modern take on traditional farmhouse style with clean lines, sleek hardware and breezy blues. The blue tile, open shelving and a weathered island anchor the airy, vaulted space. Nyla shares how she achieved this look while adding more storage and display. Scroll down to see what she had to say!
Nyla with her clients’ two Tibetan terriers, Rossi (foreground) and Ben. She added a wall (background) for more storage and to provide separation from the mudroom (left).
“The island is my favorite feature,” she says. “I loved the idea of something found, but I needed a specific size and it had to accommodate a microwave. The solution was to design a custom furniture-style piece with a dark teal base and a distressed finish for a vintage look.”
“Because the space is so voluminous, I wanted to create a sense of intimacy and draw the eye down into the kitchen,” she says. “The blue tile, black sconces and light wood cabinets help do this.”
Striking articulated sconces centered on the window mullions and a plant ledge complete this cheerful sink area. “My clients have treasures from their travels that live on the open shelves, and there’s a ledge for their plants,” says Nyla. “The counter wraps seamlessly up the backsplash and returns into the windowsill, creating a spot with nice light for plants to thrive.”
“My clients didn’t want a patterned or loud tile so, instead, we chose an interesting color,” says Nyla. The cool hue is a contrast to the warmer tone of the open shelving.
Floor-to-ceiling flat-front cabinets provide much-needed closed storage in the space.
Once separated by a staircase to the basement, the kitchen and dining area are now connected and far more open. A blind can be lowered for privacy from the living room.
Phil Crozier
House & Home July/August 2020
Nyla Free