Kitchen of the Month
Chevron floors, inky cabinets and warm brass make this kitchen feel luxe and layered.
A modern kitchen in Toronto by Gillian Green
Designer and architect Gillian Green shares her insights on updating a kitchen in an older home.
HOUSE & HOME: How did your architecture background factor in to the design?
GILLIAN GREEN: This house is grand and muscular in proportion, but the kitchen had been stripped of its historical details long ago. Our intention was to be respectful of the original design while adding new, modern elements. We incorporated blue-black cabinets to ground the white and light oak in the room. H&H: The kitchen looks out onto a beautiful garden. How did you bring the outdoors in? GG: The backyard was a bit of an unexpected gem — so lush and private. We wanted to have a seamless connection that flowed from the kitchen to the backyard, so we put in bifold doors; they open up completely for outdoor entertaining on summer nights.
H&H: What should clients think about before starting a renovation?
GG: You have to ask yourself: What will make your heart sing in the space? Then hold on to that idea as you go through the design and construction process. An architect can help you find that song and keep you in tune for all the decisions that need to be made.
H&H: Are you pleased with the kitchen design now that the project’s wrapped?
GG: I’ve kindly been invited to the house several times since completion, and I’m delighted to witness the space being fully used as we envisioned. A kitchen island chat, an intimate dinner, a house party with friends dancing in the backyard — this kitchen allows for it all.