Kitchen of the Month An elegant kitchen in Saskatoon by Trevor Ciona and Curtis Elmy
Book-matched marble and warm oak cabinets add spice to a showhome kitchen in Saskatoon.
Curtis Elmy and Trevor Ciona of Atmosphere Interior Design on creating a unique kitchen that stands the test of time.
HOUSE & HOME: What do you need to keep in mind when designing a showhome kitchen?
CURTIS ELMY: A showhome needs to be both one of a kind and relatable; people have to be able to imagine themselves living here. We chose this paint colour because everyone loves grey. In a new-build, we use elements that look like they’ve been curated over a period of time, and we incorporate details that are hard to replicate like the custom range hood.
H&H: Did the new owners request any changes?
TREVOR CIONA: Our clients moved here from Ottawa and said this house made them feel immediately at home because it was so detailed. They kept the kitchen exactly the way we designed it. We mixed metals, which gives the space more longevity — they won’t tire of things as quickly.
H&H: That full-height marble backsplash is so striking; why did you choose it?
CE: It’s hard to make kitchens look distinctive; you have to ask yourself, is it going to be about the cabinets or the stone? Once we saw the Calacatta Cielo marble, there was no turning back.
It’s a big-ticket item, but it’s what makes the kitchen truly unique. Because it’s a busier stone, we toned down everything else around it. There’s also a bit of gold in it that ties in with the warm tone of the cabinets.
H&H: What advice would you give to someone who wanted a similar look in their own kitchen?
TC: Don’t be afraid to paint things a bold colour. People worry about kitchens being too dark, and even though there’s no white in this kitchen, it still has a light, airy feel because of how the light reflects off the different finishes like the polished marble backsplash and brass lighting. You don’t always have to do light colours.