Armed with a wishlist

a mile long, Toronto homeowners Meghan Mann and Mike Shannon took the renovation plunge last year. With the help of designers Vanessa Kwan and Ingrid Oomen of Qummunicate, they transformed their dysfunctional, dowdy kitchen into a stylish dream and fit everything they wanted into

its compact 198-square-foot space. The open-concept design now features a work station, an eat-in nook and a peninsula that overlooks the dining area. Its classic-chic look with a contemporary edge not only complements the young couple’s style but also suits the 1910 house’s traditional architecture and its up-and-coming west Toronto neighbourhood’s trendy vibe.

DESIGN, Qummunicate, qummunicate.com; CONTRACTING, Vano & Sons Contracting; Pure White OC-64 CABINETRY PAINT, Benjamin Moore; Iron Ore SW 7069 DOOR & WINDOW FRAME PAINT, Sherwin-Williams; Super White quartzite COUNTERTOPS, SINK, Asia Marbles; BACKSPLASH TILES, Lowe’s; Bosch REFRIGERATOR, Best Buy; Bosch RANGE, Faulkner’s Appliance Centre; Ancona RANGE HOOD, Costco; Bosch DISHWASHER, Hudson’s Bay; FAUCETS, Taps Bath Centre; Eames DINING CHAIRS, Morba; BANQUETTE CUSHION FABRIC, Designer Fabrics; BANQUETTE CUSHION SEWING, New Hope Upholstering; STOOLS, Artefac; DESK CHAIR, Elte; FLOORING, Alliance Floor Source; cowhide RUG, sheepskin THROWS, IKEA; PENDANT LIGHTS, Union Lighting and Furnishings; CHANDELIER, Sam the Chandelier Man; CABINETRY & BANQUETTE HARDWARE, Upper Canada Specialty Hardware; yellow TOSS CUSHION, Elte Market; BOWL (on counter), Elte.

Cork flooring and a cowhide rug warm up the stark black and white palette. OPPOSITE The black faucets and window frame above the sink create contrast yet establish continuity with the blackpainted door at the back of the room. The dark elements,...

ABOVE The kitchen was designed with family-friendly functionality top of mind: The white quartzite countertops are aesthetically similar to marble but are more durable and require less maintenance; the six-inch-square ceramic tiled backsplash, with its...

LEFT A white-painted corkboard displaying colourful children’s artwork gives the eat-in area a healthy dose of personality and fun. “Pin boards are a common trick I like to use in the kitchens I design,” says Vanessa. “Not only do parents love to...

OPPOSITE Opening up the 11-by18-foot kitchen to the rest of the main floor and replacing the back wall with a glass-panelled door and sidelights were the first steps in creating a more airy and light-filled space. The kitchen has a timeless aesthetic,...