California-ish kitchen

Designer: Samantha Williams, principal, Ederra Design Studio, Pasadena

“I took a look at pictures of Meghan’s [previous] apartment in Toronto to get a sense of her style,” said Williams, “and I noticed that things were generally pretty white and light with a lot of simple materials — nothing too fussy, but with some antiques mixed in.”

Her goal for the kitchen: create a “buttoned-down” timeless English look with a relaxed Californian vibe. “We thought the combination of rich, navy blue cabinets with pretty, classic brass hardware … combined with simple elements like the subway tile, light countertops and succulents would make it feel comfortable and Californian.”

Williams envisions gray-washed, reclaimed oak in a herringbone pattern for the flooring for a relaxed, laid-back style with traditional English appeal. “A vintage rug in a bold palette adds life to the space and would help brighten dreary London days,” said Williams.

To add layers of vibrancy and a touch of California, Williams accessorized with succulents, loose, hand-cut flowers and driftwood. “I felt like it would be a nice reference to the beach and the outdoors which we love so much in Southern California.”

Get the look: All lighting: Visual Comfort; tile: Walker Zanger; cabinet hardware: Forge Hardware Studio; faucet: WaterStone; stool: Arteriors.