Kitchen – Open Sightlines & Integrated Design Within the Main Floor | Toronto This view highlights how the kitchen was designed to work seamlessly within the open-concept main floor, maintaining clear sightlines to adjacent living areas while remaining highly functional. Rather than feeling enclosed, the kitchen reads as an integrated part of the home’s overall layout—supporting connection, movement, and everyday use. The custom slab-door cabinetry reinforces a clean, modern aesthetic, allowing the architecture and proportions of the space to take priority. Careful alignment of cabinetry, appliances, and circulation paths ensures the kitchen feels organized and intentional, even when viewed from surrounding rooms. As part of the full-home transformation and second floor addition, this kitchen reflects Cedarstone Group Inc.’s design-build philosophy: holistic planning across floors and spaces, ensuring that the kitchen functions not just as a room, but as a central component of how the home lives and flows.

THE PROBLEM Our clients fell in love with the this home and its beautiful, secluded surroundings the first time they saw it. Over time however, the split living space on the main floor proved to be not as functional as they wanted it to be for their family nor did it provide a great connection to the outdoor space that they loved so much. THE SOLUTION The solution, while clear, was not simple. To remove the main load bearing wall shared by these two rooms took a considerable amount of framing and the introduction of new structural components to merge two unique rooflines. The removal of the wall created an eat-in kitchen with a wall of windows and an open concept living area. One of the main features and highlights of this space is a uniquely designed banquette that is a custom built-in extension of the island offering both seating at the island as well as a place for an actual dining table. The new layout also offered ample spacing for cooking, plenty of preparation space as well as a coffee and tea area for the family's assortment of favorite beverages. Custom cabinetry adorns the walls alongside a neutral and class backsplash, new white oak floors, updated entryway and hallway pantry closet.

The main objective for this project was to create a beautiful outdoor cooking and entertaining space. The clients wanted the new space to have an open concept while being protected from the elements year round. Stylistically they wanted the design to have a Pacific Northwest feel, to blend with the existing house and work well among their natural, forested backyard. We needed to include a BBQ, smoker, sink, refrigerator, gas fireplace and wall mounted heater as well as a large screen TV. The details were going to be a main focus for the design process, as we knew this would ensure the cohesive blend of function and aesthetic appeal. One of the main challenges was working with the existing deck. The 1000 SF deck needed new decking and guardrails as well as some framing repair. We were worried that the existing deck structure would not support the weight of the new construction. Another challenge we faced was designing the roof planes to aesthetically blend with the existing house. The layout of the first and second floor had us working through multiple design revisions until we landed on the final stepped roof structure. We designed the new roof to be supported by the house and columns set directly on the ground, thereby minimizing weight added to the existing deck. This allowed us to use the deck to support the lighter components, including the kitchen and BBQ area. Oversized beams, exposed raw wood rafters, and sealed car decking worked well with the new cedar deck surface. Stainless steel cabinetry and appliances are accented by solid surface countertops and small mosaic backsplash. All colors were selected to fall within the natural hues of the seasonally changing foliage surrounding the clients’ property. Maintaining the same footprint of the existing deck, we used the angles to our advantage and created additional seating with a custom built storage bench. New powder coated posts and cable guardrails were topped with an LED lined wood handrail. A decorative chandelier and subtle metal pendants provide ambient light. An electric heater mounted to the inside of one of the beams as well as the gas fireplace provides ample heat for colder months. The clerestory windows between the two roof planes provide additional light to the space while protecting against the elements. The gas fireplace and cultured stone wrapped chimney is a visual anchor and centerpiece for the deck. The chimney provided an opportunity to hide one of the supporting columns as well as a protected space for the wall mounted TV and soundbar. The cabinetry layout was selected to offer plenty of storage and special features including a pull out garbage and recycling center, drawers for dishes and utensils, and a concealed paper towel holder.

This mountain vacation residence places the living and sleeping space for a family of three on the main level with guest bedrooms, recreation rooms, and garage below. The sloped site allows approach and entry on the main level, achieving the appearance of a one-story house. The scheme is an L-shaped, open-plan building containing primary living space covered with a shed roof. This configuration forms a “courtyard” facing southeast, which contains the main entry. Intersected with the shed roof component the mudroom, bedroom, and master closet and bath are contained in “cabins” of stone with arced roofs. The roof support at the northwest corner has been eliminated to allow a sliding glass system which, when open, voids the corner of the family room. This allows the living space to extend onto an elevated concrete terrace overlooking the view. The result is a living environment that distinguishes public from private uses with form and space, provides outdoor areas of contrasting characteristics in a place of sharp seasonal contrast, and creates an image that blends with the landscape.

The main objective for this project was to create a beautiful outdoor cooking and entertaining space. The clients wanted the new space to have an open concept while being protected from the elements year round. Stylistically they wanted the design to have a Pacific Northwest feel, to blend with the existing house and work well among their natural, forested backyard. We needed to include a BBQ, smoker, sink, refrigerator, gas fireplace and wall mounted heater as well as a large screen TV. The details were going to be a main focus for the design process, as we knew this would ensure the cohesive blend of function and aesthetic appeal. One of the main challenges was working with the existing deck. The 1000 SF deck needed new decking and guardrails as well as some framing repair. We were worried that the existing deck structure would not support the weight of the new construction. Another challenge we faced was designing the roof planes to aesthetically blend with the existing house. The layout of the first and second floor had us working through multiple design revisions until we landed on the final stepped roof structure. We designed the new roof to be supported by the house and columns set directly on the ground, thereby minimizing weight added to the existing deck. This allowed us to use the deck to support the lighter components, including the kitchen and BBQ area. Oversized beams, exposed raw wood rafters, and sealed car decking worked well with the new cedar deck surface. Stainless steel cabinetry and appliances are accented by solid surface countertops and small mosaic backsplash. All colors were selected to fall within the natural hues of the seasonally changing foliage surrounding the clients’ property. Maintaining the same footprint of the existing deck, we used the angles to our advantage and created additional seating with a custom built storage bench. New powder coated posts and cable guardrails were topped with an LED lined wood handrail. A decorative chandelier and subtle metal pendants provide ambient light. An electric heater mounted to the inside of one of the beams as well as the gas fireplace provides ample heat for colder months. The clerestory windows between the two roof planes provide additional light to the space while protecting against the elements. The gas fireplace and cultured stone wrapped chimney is a visual anchor and centerpiece for the deck. The chimney provided an opportunity to hide one of the supporting columns as well as a protected space for the wall mounted TV and soundbar. The cabinetry layout was selected to offer plenty of storage and special features including a pull out garbage and recycling center, drawers for dishes and utensils, and a concealed paper towel holder.

THE PROBLEM Our clients fell in love with the this home and its beautiful, secluded surroundings the first time they saw it. Over time however, the split living space on the main floor proved to be not as functional as they wanted it to be for their family nor did it provide a great connection to the outdoor space that they loved so much. THE SOLUTION The solution, while clear, was not simple. To remove the main load bearing wall shared by these two rooms took a considerable amount of framing and the introduction of new structural components to merge two unique rooflines. The removal of the wall created an eat-in kitchen with a wall of windows and an open concept living area. One of the main features and highlights of this space is a uniquely designed banquette that is a custom built-in extension of the island offering both seating at the island as well as a place for an actual dining table. The new layout also offered ample spacing for cooking, plenty of preparation space as well as a coffee and tea area for the family's assortment of favorite beverages. Custom cabinetry adorns the walls alongside a neutral and class backsplash, new white oak floors, updated entryway and hallway pantry closet.

Balanced on the East River between the Brooklyn and Manhattan Bridges, this cardboard box factory was the tallest reinforced concrete structure in the world when it opened in 1914 and now houses 124 loft apartments. The primary components for this renovation were manufactured in Brooklyn. One end of the living space is adorned by cabinetry produced by Dado Woodworking in Red Hook (south) and hand painted on site. At the opposite end, the space is modified by double action folding steel doors fabricated by Argosy Designs in Greenpoint (north).

This mountain vacation residence places the living and sleeping space for a family of three on the main level with guest bedrooms, recreation rooms, and garage below. The sloped site allows approach and entry on the main level, achieving the appearance of a one-story house. The scheme is an L-shaped, open-plan building containing primary living space covered with a shed roof. This configuration forms a “courtyard” facing southeast, which contains the main entry. Intersected with the shed roof component the mudroom, bedroom, and master closet and bath are contained in “cabins” of stone with arced roofs. The roof support at the northwest corner has been eliminated to allow a sliding glass system which, when open, voids the corner of the family room. This allows the living space to extend onto an elevated concrete terrace overlooking the view. The result is a living environment that distinguishes public from private uses with form and space, provides outdoor areas of contrasting characteristics in a place of sharp seasonal contrast, and creates an image that blends with the landscape.

The main objective for this project was to create a beautiful outdoor cooking and entertaining space. The clients wanted the new space to have an open concept while being protected from the elements year round. Stylistically they wanted the design to have a Pacific Northwest feel, to blend with the existing house and work well among their natural, forested backyard. We needed to include a BBQ, smoker, sink, refrigerator, gas fireplace and wall mounted heater as well as a large screen TV. The details were going to be a main focus for the design process, as we knew this would ensure the cohesive blend of function and aesthetic appeal. One of the main challenges was working with the existing deck. The 1000 SF deck needed new decking and guardrails as well as some framing repair. We were worried that the existing deck structure would not support the weight of the new construction. Another challenge we faced was designing the roof planes to aesthetically blend with the existing house. The layout of the first and second floor had us working through multiple design revisions until we landed on the final stepped roof structure. We designed the new roof to be supported by the house and columns set directly on the ground, thereby minimizing weight added to the existing deck. This allowed us to use the deck to support the lighter components, including the kitchen and BBQ area. Oversized beams, exposed raw wood rafters, and sealed car decking worked well with the new cedar deck surface. Stainless steel cabinetry and appliances are accented by solid surface countertops and small mosaic backsplash. All colors were selected to fall within the natural hues of the seasonally changing foliage surrounding the clients’ property. Maintaining the same footprint of the existing deck, we used the angles to our advantage and created additional seating with a custom built storage bench. New powder coated posts and cable guardrails were topped with an LED lined wood handrail. A decorative chandelier and subtle metal pendants provide ambient light. An electric heater mounted to the inside of one of the beams as well as the gas fireplace provides ample heat for colder months. The clerestory windows between the two roof planes provide additional light to the space while protecting against the elements. The gas fireplace and cultured stone wrapped chimney is a visual anchor and centerpiece for the deck. The chimney provided an opportunity to hide one of the supporting columns as well as a protected space for the wall mounted TV and soundbar. The cabinetry layout was selected to offer plenty of storage and special features including a pull out garbage and recycling center, drawers for dishes and utensils, and a concealed paper towel holder.

THE PROBLEM Our clients fell in love with the this home and its beautiful, secluded surroundings the first time they saw it. Over time however, the split living space on the main floor proved to be not as functional as they wanted it to be for their family nor did it provide a great connection to the outdoor space that they loved so much. THE SOLUTION The solution, while clear, was not simple. To remove the main load bearing wall shared by these two rooms took a considerable amount of framing and the introduction of new structural components to merge two unique rooflines. The removal of the wall created an eat-in kitchen with a wall of windows and an open concept living area. One of the main features and highlights of this space is a uniquely designed banquette that is a custom built-in extension of the island offering both seating at the island as well as a place for an actual dining table. The new layout also offered ample spacing for cooking, plenty of preparation space as well as a coffee and tea area for the family's assortment of favorite beverages. Custom cabinetry adorns the walls alongside a neutral and class backsplash, new white oak floors, updated entryway and hallway pantry closet.

THE PROBLEM Our clients fell in love with the this home and its beautiful, secluded surroundings the first time they saw it. Over time however, the split living space on the main floor proved to be not as functional as they wanted it to be for their family nor did it provide a great connection to the outdoor space that they loved so much. THE SOLUTION The solution, while clear, was not simple. To remove the main load bearing wall shared by these two rooms took a considerable amount of framing and the introduction of new structural components to merge two unique rooflines. The removal of the wall created an eat-in kitchen with a wall of windows and an open concept living area. One of the main features and highlights of this space is a uniquely designed banquette that is a custom built-in extension of the island offering both seating at the island as well as a place for an actual dining table. The new layout also offered ample spacing for cooking, plenty of preparation space as well as a coffee and tea area for the family's assortment of favorite beverages. Custom cabinetry adorns the walls alongside a neutral and class backsplash, new white oak floors, updated entryway and hallway pantry closet.

Balanced on the East River between the Brooklyn and Manhattan Bridges, this cardboard box factory was the tallest reinforced concrete structure in the world when it opened in 1914 and now houses 124 loft apartments. The primary components for this renovation were manufactured in Brooklyn. One end of the living space is adorned by cabinetry produced by Dado Woodworking in Red Hook (south) and hand painted on site. At the opposite end, the space is modified by double action folding steel doors fabricated by Argosy Designs in Greenpoint (north).

This new build home was created for a young Vancouver family that wanted a relaxed yet sophisticated feel to match their lifestyle. This space was designed with focus on the open concept between the living and kitchen spaces; which is truly the heart of the home and designed for a growing family. This home takes inspiration from the relaxed farmhouse feel and the “hustle n bustle” of Singapore.

The main objective for this project was to create a beautiful outdoor cooking and entertaining space. The clients wanted the new space to have an open concept while being protected from the elements year round. Stylistically they wanted the design to have a Pacific Northwest feel, to blend with the existing house and work well among their natural, forested backyard. We needed to include a BBQ, smoker, sink, refrigerator, gas fireplace and wall mounted heater as well as a large screen TV. The details were going to be a main focus for the design process, as we knew this would ensure the cohesive blend of function and aesthetic appeal. One of the main challenges was working with the existing deck. The 1000 SF deck needed new decking and guardrails as well as some framing repair. We were worried that the existing deck structure would not support the weight of the new construction. Another challenge we faced was designing the roof planes to aesthetically blend with the existing house. The layout of the first and second floor had us working through multiple design revisions until we landed on the final stepped roof structure. We designed the new roof to be supported by the house and columns set directly on the ground, thereby minimizing weight added to the existing deck. This allowed us to use the deck to support the lighter components, including the kitchen and BBQ area. Oversized beams, exposed raw wood rafters, and sealed car decking worked well with the new cedar deck surface. Stainless steel cabinetry and appliances are accented by solid surface countertops and small mosaic backsplash. All colors were selected to fall within the natural hues of the seasonally changing foliage surrounding the clients’ property. Maintaining the same footprint of the existing deck, we used the angles to our advantage and created additional seating with a custom built storage bench. New powder coated posts and cable guardrails were topped with an LED lined wood handrail. A decorative chandelier and subtle metal pendants provide ambient light. An electric heater mounted to the inside of one of the beams as well as the gas fireplace provides ample heat for colder months. The clerestory windows between the two roof planes provide additional light to the space while protecting against the elements. The gas fireplace and cultured stone wrapped chimney is a visual anchor and centerpiece for the deck. The chimney provided an opportunity to hide one of the supporting columns as well as a protected space for the wall mounted TV and soundbar. The cabinetry layout was selected to offer plenty of storage and special features including a pull out garbage and recycling center, drawers for dishes and utensils, and a concealed paper towel holder.

Designed in parallel to the Peconic House project, we were asked to create a guest house for the client, so that family had a home base during construction of the main house. Inspired by an actual barn structure the family had visited in Connecticut, this faux historic creation would be aesthetically counterpoint the modern, beach-inspired main house structure. As a matter of standard practice, we also set out to insure this would be a highly sustainable home in its own right. The white oak, heavy timber structural components were completely milled and pre-fit offsite before being trucked to the site and assembled by a team of Vermont-based barn-builders in a matter of days. All structural assemblies and fasteners were made from custom-milled, solid wood elements assembled in the same manner it was done centuries ago. Reclaimed barn wood interior walls conceal high-tech super-insulated SIPs wall panels, clad on the outside by unfinished white cedar shingles which will naturally patina in the salted air of the Hamptons. Successfully completed within the prescribed timeframe, the client’s family was able to spend an entire year in the Peconic Barn while the main house was under construction.

Designed in parallel to the Peconic House project, we were asked to create a guest house for the client, so that family had a home base during construction of the main house. Inspired by an actual barn structure the family had visited in Connecticut, this faux historic creation would be aesthetically counterpoint the modern, beach-inspired main house structure. As a matter of standard practice, we also set out to insure this would be a highly sustainable home in its own right. The white oak, heavy timber structural components were completely milled and pre-fit offsite before being trucked to the site and assembled by a team of Vermont-based barn-builders in a matter of days. All structural assemblies and fasteners were made from custom-milled, solid wood elements assembled in the same manner it was done centuries ago. Reclaimed barn wood interior walls conceal high-tech super-insulated SIPs wall panels, clad on the outside by unfinished white cedar shingles which will naturally patina in the salted air of the Hamptons. Successfully completed within the prescribed timeframe, the client’s family was able to spend an entire year in the Peconic Barn while the main house was under construction.

Designed in parallel to the Peconic House project, we were asked to create a guest house for the client, so that family had a home base during construction of the main house. Inspired by an actual barn structure the family had visited in Connecticut, this faux historic creation would be aesthetically counterpoint the modern, beach-inspired main house structure. As a matter of standard practice, we also set out to insure this would be a highly sustainable home in its own right. The white oak, heavy timber structural components were completely milled and pre-fit offsite before being trucked to the site and assembled by a team of Vermont-based barn-builders in a matter of days. All structural assemblies and fasteners were made from custom-milled, solid wood elements assembled in the same manner it was done centuries ago. Reclaimed barn wood interior walls conceal high-tech super-insulated SIPs wall panels, clad on the outside by unfinished white cedar shingles which will naturally patina in the salted air of the Hamptons. Successfully completed within the prescribed timeframe, the client’s family was able to spend an entire year in the Peconic Barn while the main house was under construction.

The main objective for this project was to create a beautiful outdoor cooking and entertaining space. The clients wanted the new space to have an open concept while being protected from the elements year round. Stylistically they wanted the design to have a Pacific Northwest feel, to blend with the existing house and work well among their natural, forested backyard. We needed to include a BBQ, smoker, sink, refrigerator, gas fireplace and wall mounted heater as well as a large screen TV. The details were going to be a main focus for the design process, as we knew this would ensure the cohesive blend of function and aesthetic appeal. One of the main challenges was working with the existing deck. The 1000 SF deck needed new decking and guardrails as well as some framing repair. We were worried that the existing deck structure would not support the weight of the new construction. Another challenge we faced was designing the roof planes to aesthetically blend with the existing house. The layout of the first and second floor had us working through multiple design revisions until we landed on the final stepped roof structure. We designed the new roof to be supported by the house and columns set directly on the ground, thereby minimizing weight added to the existing deck. This allowed us to use the deck to support the lighter components, including the kitchen and BBQ area. Oversized beams, exposed raw wood rafters, and sealed car decking worked well with the new cedar deck surface. Stainless steel cabinetry and appliances are accented by solid surface countertops and small mosaic backsplash. All colors were selected to fall within the natural hues of the seasonally changing foliage surrounding the clients’ property. Maintaining the same footprint of the existing deck, we used the angles to our advantage and created additional seating with a custom built storage bench. New powder coated posts and cable guardrails were topped with an LED lined wood handrail. A decorative chandelier and subtle metal pendants provide ambient light. An electric heater mounted to the inside of one of the beams as well as the gas fireplace provides ample heat for colder months. The clerestory windows between the two roof planes provide additional light to the space while protecting against the elements. The gas fireplace and cultured stone wrapped chimney is a visual anchor and centerpiece for the deck. The chimney provided an opportunity to hide one of the supporting columns as well as a protected space for the wall mounted TV and soundbar. The cabinetry layout was selected to offer plenty of storage and special features including a pull out garbage and recycling center, drawers for dishes and utensils, and a concealed paper towel holder.

Designed in parallel to the Peconic House project, we were asked to create a guest house for the client, so that family had a home base during construction of the main house. Inspired by an actual barn structure the family had visited in Connecticut, this faux historic creation would be aesthetically counterpoint the modern, beach-inspired main house structure. As a matter of standard practice, we also set out to insure this would be a highly sustainable home in its own right. The white oak, heavy timber structural components were completely milled and pre-fit offsite before being trucked to the site and assembled by a team of Vermont-based barn-builders in a matter of days. All structural assemblies and fasteners were made from custom-milled, solid wood elements assembled in the same manner it was done centuries ago. Reclaimed barn wood interior walls conceal high-tech super-insulated SIPs wall panels, clad on the outside by unfinished white cedar shingles which will naturally patina in the salted air of the Hamptons. Successfully completed within the prescribed timeframe, the client’s family was able to spend an entire year in the Peconic Barn while the main house was under construction.