Inside A Rustic, Mid Century-inspired Kitchen By Collective Studio

Krista Ricciatti and Tom Redman bought a 2,000-square-foot mid-century house in Guelph, Ont., in 2021 — they were looking for more room and a quiet setting to bring up their daughter, Mara.

Renovating their combined small kitchen and living room meant extensive structural work, so they called on Alana Firestone and Jordy Fagan of Collective Studio to tweak the floor plan and deploy their signature mix of textures, organic shapes and soft colors for a redo. Keep reading to tour this rustic, mid century-inspired kitchen and breakfast banquette!

The renovated kitchen allows for more light to enter the space, giving it a brighter feel. Creamy V-groove panelling helps break up a long stretch of wall and is contrasted by soapstone counters and a white oak island with turned legs. The unlacquered brass faucet will patinate over time, while the soapstone counters look naturally aged.

“We didn’t want anything to feel stark or new,” says designer Alana Firestone (left) pictured with Jordy Fagan.

Shelves inset on either side of the custom niche provide great storage. “It’s nice to hide everything away yet have easy access to the things we need,” adds Krista. “It’s easily one of my favorite parts of the kitchen.”

Krista wanted a walk-in pantry, but it didn’t fit into the new layout. Instead, a built-in hutch with an antique look houses the appliance garage, linens and dishware. “The unit has grasscloth details on the doors and a patterned wallpaper on the interior; it looks like an antique piece,” says Alana.

The white oak island has whimsical turned legs while white flush-mount light fixtures make the ceiling feel higher. “The old layout cut off access to the backyard and the beautiful view,” says Krista, so Alana and Jordy’s design involved removing the back wall and installing five windows, a sliding door and a cosy breakfast nook.

“We opened up this part of the house to create a more modern flow for this young family,” says Jordy.

Keep scrolling for elements of the look!

Lily Pull in Honey Bronze, $60.57, Top Knobs

Soapstone Countertop in Stormy Black, $150/sq. ft, Greensville Soapstone Company

Rey Chair in Grape red by Hay, $845, Design Within Reach

Spotlight Volumes D Series Wall-flushmount light fixture in Vanilla by Lukas Peet for A-N-D, $725, Lumens

Engineered Hardwood Flooring in Hearthstone, $10/sq.ft, Terra Legno

Dash Three Hole Gooseneck Kitchen Faucet with Metal Lever Handles and Spray in Brass by Waterworks, $2590, Gingers

36″ Pro Harmony Gas Freestanding Range by Thermador, Tasco Appliances

Lee Jofa Poppy Sprig wallpaper in Aqua by GP&J Baker, $360/roll, Kravet Canada

Island Raffia wallpaper in Bermuda Grey, pricing upon request, Phillip Jeffries

Lola Round Concrete Dining Table in Ivory by Mermelada Estudio, $1699, CB2

Brookline knob in Honey Bronze, $7.35, Top Knobs

Simply White (OC-117) cabinet paint, Benjamin Moore