Warm, Organic and Bright Kitchen in an Open-Plan Space
A neutral palette with dark accents ties together the kitchen with adjacent dining and family rooms in a new home
Composed in a palette of warm white oak, elegantly veined quartz, subtly textured plaster and contrasting oil-rubbed bronze, this Canadian kitchen is airy and inviting. As part of an open floor plan, the room’s design also feels cohesive with the adjacent dining and family room areas. Interior designer Megan Stimpson worked with the family of three that bought this new home in Calgary, Alberta, tailoring it to suit their personal style.
This view from the back of the house shows all the spaces within the open floor plan. The family room is in the foreground, with the kitchen at the back and the dining area between the two. The staircase and front entry are located past these spaces on the left.
The kitchen’s work area is in a galley configuration between the range wall and the island. The wall of cabinets in the background is packed with pantry storage. On it, from left, is a panel-front refrigerator and cabinets housing a mix of pullout and adjustable shelving. On the right, a few open shelves add visual breathing room.
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A large kitchen island serves as a family hub. At 9½ by 4¾ feet, it accommodates the sink, the dishwasher, a microwave drawer, a beverage fridge, storage and seating that wraps a corner.
The countertop cabinet on the right is outfitted for dishes and glassware. Its location within easy reach of the dishwasher makes unloading efficient.
The countertop cabinet on the right is outfitted for dishes and glassware. Its location within easy reach of the dishwasher makes unloading efficient.
On the range wall, which is mostly free of cabinets, the homeowners opted to use the countertops’ softly veined quartz as the backsplash material. This gives the wall a more polished, minimalist look than tile would have.
While the range wall is clean and neutral, it also has visual interest. “Topping off a slab backsplash with a small ledge creates a nice delineation between the backsplash and the wall. It’s a decorative rail that makes the kitchen feel more curated,” Stimpson says. “It’s also a great spot to place things like salt and pepper shakers, oils and artwork.” The ledge material is the same quartz material and is 3 inches deep.
While the range wall is clean and neutral, it also has visual interest. “Topping off a slab backsplash with a small ledge creates a nice delineation between the backsplash and the wall. It’s a decorative rail that makes the kitchen feel more curated,” Stimpson says. “It’s also a great spot to place things like salt and pepper shakers, oils and artwork.” The ledge material is the same quartz material and is 3 inches deep.
To break up the wall in a balanced way, Stimpson extended the backsplash 20 inches above the countertop. Above the ledge, the wall and range hood have a custom plaster finish that adds subtle texture.
The ledge extends to meet the bottom of the open shelves. “The homeowners wanted a tucked-away spot for their coffee maker,” Mahal says. The area under these shelves is the designated spot for it.
The ledge extends to meet the bottom of the open shelves. “The homeowners wanted a tucked-away spot for their coffee maker,” Mahal says. The area under these shelves is the designated spot for it.
The lower cabinet storage around the range has drawers for pots and pans, cooking utensils, baking supplies and spices.
Stimpson considered how the kitchen would look from every angle — especially important in an open floor plan. “We used a waterfall edge on the island because it gives the kitchen a nice feel as you enter into the space,” she says. “It’s very simple yet sophisticated.”
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Before the family bought the home, the designated selections for the hardware, faucet and lighting had been in soft gold tones. The new owners instead opted for oil-rubbed bronze for a bolder, high-contrast look.
“The oil-rubbed bronze plays off other elements like the staircase spindles and the doorknobs in the house,” Stimpson says. “Their lighting choices are also more transitional and refined than what we had planned. It’s all very cohesive.”
“The oil-rubbed bronze plays off other elements like the staircase spindles and the doorknobs in the house,” Stimpson says. “Their lighting choices are also more transitional and refined than what we had planned. It’s all very cohesive.”
The designer helped her clients find a sink that would play off their darker selections. It’s Silgranit, a composite material made from up to 80% natural granite and acrylic resin. “I recommend these sinks a lot because they are really, really durable,” Stimpson says.
Sink: Silgranit in Anthracite, Blanco
Sink: Silgranit in Anthracite, Blanco
Because of its close proximity to the kitchen, the dining area can feel like a casual eat-in kitchen space. But because it occupies its own area, it also can provide a formal dining experience.
The style of the dining area is cohesive with the kitchen. The oil-rubbed bronze light fixture and black chairs bring dark contrast to the space.
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The style of the dining area is cohesive with the kitchen. The oil-rubbed bronze light fixture and black chairs bring dark contrast to the space.
Not sure where to start on your home project? Learn the basics
The family room’s black light fixtures and white oak built-ins and mantel continue the cohesive feel. The warm off-white walls, which continue throughout the first floor, do as well.
“The open layout of these spaces makes them really family-friendly and great for communication,” Stimpson says. Another advantage of the open plan is the ability to enjoy the glow of the family room’s fireplace from the dining room and kitchen. During Calgary’s long, dark winters, the cozy off-white and wood palette will comfort the family like a hug.
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“The open layout of these spaces makes them really family-friendly and great for communication,” Stimpson says. Another advantage of the open plan is the ability to enjoy the glow of the family room’s fireplace from the dining room and kitchen. During Calgary’s long, dark winters, the cozy off-white and wood palette will comfort the family like a hug.
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Kitchen at a Glance
Who lives here: A couple and their child
Location: Calgary, Alberta
Size: 192 square feet (18 square meters); 12 by 16 feet
Designer: Megan Stimpson of Alykhan Velji Designs
Builder: Sukhman Mahal of Bright Custom Homes
The design came together in a somewhat unconventional way. Sukhman Mahal, co-owner of Bright Custom Homes, began the build as a spec house. The design process with Stimpson was well underway before the family bought the home. “From the beginning, we wanted transitional style that would be timeless and have wide appeal,” Stimpson says. “The layout of the space is long and quite narrow. We used the same wood tones and wall paint within the open floor plan to keep things simple, bright, neutral and cohesive.”
Because construction was still in progress when the house sold, the new owners had the opportunity to tweak the finishes to suit their personalities. The room already had white oak cabinetry, off-white quartz countertops and antique oak engineered flooring. However, they were able to change the backsplash, lighting, faucet and cabinet hardware selections.
Wall color: White Dove, Benjamin Moore; flooring: 7½ -inch Wildwood Antique Oak planks in Istanbul, Magna Hardwood Floors
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