Decorating & Design
March 22, 2021
This Rustic Kitchen Will Inspire You To Paint Your Cabinets Green
Jennifer Johnston is a dedicated volunteer, mother and grandmother who works three jobs to help support her family, so it’s no surprise that her community nominated her Woodville, Ontario, home for a makeover on HGTV Canada’s Family Home Overhaul. Designers Trish Johnston, Tommy Smythe and Brian McCourt, who also looked after contracting, happily stepped in to update Jennifer’s leaky and dysfunctional 19th-century home for her busy life.
The former galley kitchen, in particular, looked more like a hallway than the heart of the home. What Jennifer really needed was an open space where she could “cook, hang out, and nourish her family and friends,” says Trish. Conveniently, an existing extension at the back of the house was perfectly suited for this kind of activity. With the help of a few handy community helpers, Brian knocked down some walls and, just like that, the kitchen and living room were neighbors.
Preserving the home’s rustic country vibe meant installing a hearth-style vent hood, French inlayed slate floors strong enough to withstand the wear and tear of daily traffic, and matte white appliances that felt “friendlier than stainless steel,” says Tommy. Large-scale vintage lantern pendants were a splurge, but just right for illuminating the island where Jennifer bakes cookies with her grandkids, who live nearby.
Now, guests can help themselves at the built-in bar and there are plenty of seats to accommodate everyone. Jennifer’s collected treasures pepper the room, and every inch of the home feels as special as its owner.
Bringing together three designers with different styles can be a recipe for disaster, but in this case, the only hot debate was the cabinet color. “Every other decision was easy-breezy,” says Trish, whose pick, a gray-toned olive green, eventually won out. Tommy’s idea to clad the island and case the fridge and cabinets in the same chevron walnut used for the perimeter counters, for instance, was a unanimous hit. “It anchors the other design elements and connects the workspace with the lounge areas,” says Tommy (right).
Two lantern pendants brighten the kitchen. “We debated doing three over the island but opted for some breathing room,” says Brian.
The hardware and polished brass faucet are a warm contrast to the room’s white envelope and dark slate floors.
Plenty of open shelving was perfect for homeowner Jennifer, who’s an avid collector. “Nobody collects things they want to hide,” says Tommy.
The white brick veneer wall treatment adds a historical vibe. “There’s no exposed drywall anywhere in this room except for the ceiling,” says Brian.
In the living room, a sectional and armchair offer a range of places to chat.
Patrick Biller
House & Home March 2021
Tommy Smythe, Trish Johnston & Brian McCourt