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Traditional style meets contemporary design in this open-plan family kitchen

View of the kitchen & dining area ceiling, countertop, flooring, hardwood, interior design, kitchen, living room, real estate, room, gray, black, brown — View of the kitchen & dining area

Broad view of the kitchen area of this cabinetry, ceiling, countertop, cuisine classique, interior design, kitchen, real estate, black, gray

The living area, viewed from the kitchen - countertop, interior design, living room, real estate, white, brown

View of the kitchen area of this home cabinetry, ceiling, countertop, cuisine classique, floor, flooring, hardwood, interior design, kitchen, laminate flooring, room, wood, wood flooring, gray, black

View of the kitchen's cooking area - View cabinetry, ceiling, countertop, cuisine classique, flooring, hardwood, interior design, kitchen, room, gray, black

Broad view of this contemporary kitchen - Broad cabinetry, ceiling, countertop, cuisine classique, flooring, interior design, kitchen, real estate, room, brown, gray

View of the kitchen area - View of countertop, interior design, kitchen, real estate, room, gray, brown

Many of us want to retain the architectural styles of bygone eras when designing our homes, but this doesn't always work in harmony with our busy, modern lifestyles.

The owners of this Spanish colonial revival home wanted to retain its traditional character, yet still have a modern, free-flowing interior.

Architect Michael Eserts from KAA Design Group says the same consideration for the house as a whole was brought to the kitchen and breakfast area. There are no barriers between the family room and kitchen, and kitchen and breakfast area.

"We are always experimenting with this because people love the look of the old 1920s Spanish homes, however they want to live their life in a more contemporary way," he says.

The multi-level kitchen island is a natural gathering place in the kitchen and was designed for both food preparation and informal dining. Lower levels are provided for the children to take part in these activities as well.

The owners were keen for low-maintenance, durable surfaces so it was decided to use granite countertops. Their honey hues contribute to the warm color palette of the kitchen.

Distressed wood features prominently in the kitchen cabinetry and floors. "Some people like to have stone on their kitchen floors, but with such an open space we wanted to make it read as one area. Keeping the same floor surface gives the appearance of a larger space," says Eserts.

One of the challenges of designing such an open-plan kitchen was having only one wall for appliances and high storage.

Broad view of this contemporary kitchen cabinetry, ceiling, countertop, cuisine classique, flooring, interior design, kitchen, real estate, room, brown, gray — Broad view of this contemporary kitchen

"We put the must-haves, such as the cooktop and refrigerator, against the wall and incorporated other elements, such as sinks and low appliances, into the peninsula and island."

A tiled backsplash in tumbled marble is the focal point of the kitchen. "In the old days the cooktop was an important part of the kitchen. Just as you might celebrate a fireplace in a living room, we have celebrated the cooktop in this kitchen," says Eserts.

Natural light pours into the kitchen from large windows beyond the family room that look out onto the outdoor courtyard and swimming pool.

Recessed fittings provide dedicated task lighting, while decorative lights above the countertops add to the overall aesthetic.