Decorating & Design
Inside A Dreamy Decorative Kitchen By Sabrina Albanese
Updated on May 21, 2025
Consider this kitchen in North York, Ont., the equivalent of a profiterole — it’s full of rich flavours and textures, luscious gleaming surfaces and buttery finishes. The French dessert reference is apt: the owners dreamed of a kitchen with fabulous European style.
Designer Sabrina Albanese riffed on that idea when she tackled the reno. “Because the owners wanted that trad, old French look, I gravitated toward a Parisian brasserie aesthetic,” says Sabrina.
She also gathered inspiration from her travels. A curved, brass-framed cabinet inspired by a Milanese espresso shop was created to take the place of traditional uppers. “While researching elements of brasseries, I noticed a lot of metal,” she says. “My goal was to find a way to make it feel warm in this kind of space.”
The owners are over the moon with their new space. “It was a bespoke project, customized to the family — the beauty is in the details.” Take a look inside the Parisian brasserie-inspired kitchen below.
The heavily veined Calacatta Viola full-height backsplash and counters add luxe Euro style. A pale blue Lacanche range brings contrast, and the blue is echoed in the checkered quartz floor tile, counter stools and roman blinds. A Venetian plaster vent hood tops the classic French range for a timeless pairing; mahogany and light oak drawers on either side are also contrasting elements.
Incorporating the kitchen’s many custom elements took more than a year. A custom mahogany island is full of flourishes like the bronze detailing and kickplate. The space feels decorated, layered and pretty.
A custom apron sink in soapstone is an elegant alternative to enamel or stainless
Window frames painted aubergine complement the backsplash and counter.
A colour drenched pantry acts as a mini prep kitchen, with a sink, dishwasher and undercounter fridge and freezer. “Two people can prepare breakfast: one can make a smoothie in the pantry while the other is at the coffee station,” says Sabrina. The entrance to the pantry is framed with an arch. Grey-green cabinets and a deep green backsplash offer an unexpected pop of colour.
In the adjacent dining area, arched cabinets flank a TV over the custom buffet. The wall is clad in White Lux quartzite
The custom mahogany table has flirty fluted legs and a Rosso Levanto Turco marble top trimmed in brass.
1. Pantry Cabinet Colour, Mizzle (266) Farrow & Ball. 2. Chelsea pendant in Studio Green (93), Farrow & Ball with Heirloom Accents and Clear Glass. Approx. $8,375. The Urban Electric Co. 3. Pull down Kitchen faucet with Button Sprayer in Satin Brass by California Faucets. $2,745. Ginger’s. 4. Linea Mini R espresso machine in White. $7,995. La Marzocco. 5. Dori t-knob in Satin Brass. $58. Myoh.
6. The Opera barstool in Polished Nickel and Leather Upholstery. From approx. $14,020. Soane Britain. 7. Antibes roman blind fabric in Bleuet by Pierre Frey. $582/yd. Primavera Interior Furnishings. 8. 44″ Savigny range in Delft Blue by Lacanche. $28,380. The French Barn. 9. Dori Appliance pull in Satin Brass. $207. Myoh.
Lauren Miller
Sabrina Albanese