A Modern Classic

The home looks beautiful from the outside and entryway. New flooring has been installed, bedrooms were renovated, the front yard was landscaped — and yet, the family room and kitchen remain firmly in the 1980s. This was the problem for the homeowners in this North Toronto home, who had put off updating their adjoined kitchen and family room, both due to expense and hassle. Luckily, BiglarKinyan Design Partnership stepped in to offer their services while the family went away on a two-week holiday, ensuring that they weren’t inconvenienced in the slightest and creating a beautiful space to which to return.

The kitchen was awash in classic 1980s white cabinetry, glass blocks and track lighting that all screamed “outdated!” The homeowners were ready to upgrade to match their kitchen to the rest of their classically modern home.

The kitchen (as well as the family room) looked out onto the deck, backyard and pool, but hardly made the most of the view. The cooktop on the island was inconveniently placed, and though the space was large enough for an eat-in table, the family never felt compelled to spend much time in the room.

Professional-grade stainless steel appliances, dark maple cabinetry, granite countertops … the list goes on. BKDP created a cook’s dream kitchen with all possible amenities, in a timeless design that complemented the other main floor rooms. Aluminum cabinetry hardware was carefully selected to reflect the shape of the modular cabinets; on areas with a horizontal feel, wire plasma pulls were used; on areas that seemed more vertical, square pulls were employed. Modular cabinetry, designed by BKDP and supplied by Kitchen & Company (www.kitchenandcompany.ca); cabinetry hardware, Aluminum wide Plaza pulls and knobs.

The L-shaped maple butcher block was shipped from Michigan and lacquered with a water-based finish to ensure no volatile organic compounds (VOCs) would be emitted. In the interest of symmetry, the cabinetry on either side of the fridge is the same size as the appliance, giving the impression of more space. The family and friends can pull stools up to the butcher block to eat or chat while helping to make dinner, one of the homeowners’ priorities with the renovation. Fridge, Sub-Zero 650; oven, Dacor Millennia 30” convection oven; microwave, Dacor 1.5CUFT convection microwave.

Custom-designed doors made from Douglas fir lead out to the deck. The material has inherent water resistance, and the grain is similar to that of the newly stained flooring. The ceiling’s lighting was strategically placed to bring out the patina of the cabinetry’s wood via low voltage halogen pot lights, while the modern chandelier over the dinette keeps the cubic look of the kitchen while maintaining warmth with a canvas insert. Chandelier, Royal Lighting; wine fridge, GE Monogram.

The transition of the kitchen into a gorgeous, welcoming room was completed with any structural changes at all – as can be seen from this image, which takes the view from the family room, the walls made the space seem smaller, but the designers worked around this to create the illusion of space. On the other side, the family room was dark and tired-looking, with disorganized shelves surrounding an impractical fireplace.

Using the same kind of modular cabinetry as in the kitchen, BKDP reconfigured the space and modernized the shelving unit and fireplace. A coat of Benjamin Moore’s Inuksuk on the walls and Cloud White on the trim, the same palette as the kitchen, helps to tie the rooms together. Details like the glass beads in the fireplace add hits of design splendour. Fireplace, Montego 38L with ribbon burner, glass beads and BKDP custom trim.

Though the family used the same furniture as before, it has taken on an entirely new image in this new space. The red oak flooring, as in the kitchen, was not replaced but refinished for environmentally friendliness. The golden brown stain is neutral and classic, in keeping with the rooms' timeless style.

Now the homeowners' kitchen and family room feels open, welcoming and spacious, exactly the look they sought to achieve. The high-end touches, like the granite countertops and stainless steel appliances, do not detract from the coziness that envelops the space, bringing family and friends together to enjoy a movie or a meal.

About the Decorator:

BiglarKinyanDesign Partnership is a design and construction firm that specializes in creating extraordinary architectural interiors including designer kitchens and bathrooms. Our designs are timeless and catered specifically to each of our client's unique styles and needs. We design and manage each project to ensure excellence and a hassle-free experience for our clients. We work exclusively with specialized construction professionals and are on-site to oversee construction. At BKDP, we listen to what you want, starting from an in-house consultation through to design development, and construction phases until completion to your absolute satisfaction. Visit the company’s website for more information.