A fi ne balance

A fine balance

Designer Jennifer Backstein creates a swoon-worthy kitchen with the right mix of panache and practicality

As a designer, I’m often tasked with creating stylish interiors that support very specific lifestyles. For this kitchen project, the homeowners specifically requested a contemporary, liveable and storagesufficient space. The kitchen needed to be practical while meeting a high standard of aesthetic.

The kitchen’s overall tone and style complement the home’s existing vibe – it’s important to have a cohesive look throughout the house. Since a bold, black and white colour palette is predominant throughout the openconcept floorplan, I chose classic white walls in the kitchen, punctuated by darker details such as in the kitchen island. Complementary hints of blush and blue soften the starkness of black and white. Gold metal details and textural wood add warmth and depth to this modern space.

At the heart of the kitchen is an oversized, 10-by-5-ft. central island – a bonafide powerhouse. Aside from its arresting dark finish, this highly functional piece shoulders the bulk of the workload, doing triple duty as an area for food preparation, serving and entertaining. The countertop is a

Jennifer Backstein is Creative Director and Principal Designer for Jennifer Backstein Interiors. The firm offers a diverse range of full scale design services in the GTA and across Canada. jenniferbacksteininteriors.com

DESIGN TIPS

Is your kitchen big enough for an island? A kitchen island should measure at least three ft. wide by four ft. long. Anything smaller won’t accommodate seating, integrated appliances or storage. Also, ensure you leave a fourft. buffer zone around the island to allow for traffic flow.

Make your island pop by using a contrasting colour. We created a stand-out focal point in this kitchen by opting for a dark-stained wood for the island, against an otherwise white palette for the cabinetry, countertops and light flooring.

white marble with warm grey veining, which adds some subtle movement. This island also features custom storage tailored to the homeowners’ cooking style and storage needs, featuring drawers with custom interior organizers.

Mixed metals play a significant role in the kitchen’s aesthetic, warming it up and adding touches of interest that draw the eye. Visible from the living and dining area behind the kitchen island, a custom-made oversized range hood features mixed-metal accents and is flanked by satin brass sconces. Polished brass cabinet pulls boast an intricate knurling detail, while top-of-the-line stainless steel kitchen appliances satisfy the chef’s practical needs and discerning tastes.

The space offers enough integrated storage to conceal the daily clutter and activity typical of a family kitchen, allowing for an effortlessly bright and airy kitchen that flows seamlessly into the adjoining living and dining areas.

Custom TABLE by JBI (Jennifer Backstein Interiors), Carrocel Interiors and Accurate Woodwork | KITCHEN CHAIRS with custom upholstery by JBI | Stainless-steel kitchen APPLIANCES by Wolf and Miele | Lights by Elte | Custom WINDOW COVER by JBI | HARDWARE by Vesta Fine Hardware