Welcoming the family

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Creating an eating area and opening up the space ensure this new kitchen is family-friendly

View of a kitchen which features white quartzite cabinetry, countertop, cuisine classique, interior design, kitchen, real estate, room, white, brown — View of a kitchen which features white quartzite countertops, walnut cabinetry, limestone tiled flooring, appliances, lighting.

View of a kitchen which features white quartzite cabinetry, ceiling, countertop, cuisine classique, daylighting, floor, home, house, interior design, kitchen, real estate, room, window, white

View of a kitchen which features white quartzite chest of drawers, drawer, furniture, product design, table, wood stain, brown, gray

View of a kitchen which features white quartzite cabinetry, countertop, cuisine classique, furniture, hardwood, home appliance, kitchen, kitchen appliance, kitchen stove, room, under cabinet lighting, wood stain, brown

View of a kitchen which features white quartzite drawer, floor, furniture, hardwood, shelf, table, wood, wood stain, white, brown

Quite apart from having an outdated appearance, many older-style kitchens tend to shut the cook behind closed doors, isolated from the rest of the family in a space that is often a little gloomy and not at all functional.

The owners of this kitchen decided it was time to address these issues, so they called on designer Cathy Stathopoulos of B & G Cabinet.

Their existing kitchen was dark, with only one window and a glass sliding door to the garden, and was shut off from living spaces.

"Our aim was to create a kitchen with a contemporary feel, and with extra space for seating and eating. It had to be functional, and spacious enough to become a gathering place for family and friends," says the designer.

For a more modern look, cabinets are made from solid walnut in a flush batten style and finished in a toffee stain. Brazilian quartzite, a natural stone with a linear pattern that has the soft appearance of marble and the durability of granite, was used for the backsplashes, the island and perimeter countertops.

The new L-shaped kitchen has a large, central island where meals can be prepared and most of the cooking done. When the owners want to watch the television in the family room at the end of the kitchen, they can retract the hood over the cooktop on the island so it doesn't interfere with their viewing.

To provide additional cooking capacity, a second oven is built into the back wall of the kitchen, together with a plumbed coffee center and a small countertop area between.

One of the owners' requests was to have an eating area on the island. To fit this into the width of the kitchen, without compromising the generous island's proportions, a small section was raised to form a breakfast bar.

At the end of the kitchen, where it intersects with the family living area, cabinetry drops down to form bench seating for a dining table.

To bring in more natural light, the original window and door were replaced with windows along the full width of the wall overlooking the garden, and a skylight was added over the dining area. From the sink and dishwasher, forming the clean-up zone below the windows, there are now garden views.