Our clients were an energetic and outgoing couple that loved life, laughter and their family including two well-loved Dachshund dogs. Their home on a lushly treed cul de sac in Manor Park boasts plenty of character, with pockets of rooms devoted to their artistic and musical passions. As a trained chef, the husband proudly and naturally commanded the lions share of the kitchen, leaving little room for his wife’s love of baking and crafting. Fine food, good wine and a myriad of guitars are at the root of their impromptu and casual gatherings. The original design request was to update the kitchen in functionality and appearance. With one look at the adjacent space which was not visible to the kitchen but commanded a stunning view with south facing windows - and this project morphed into combining two separate spaces into one. We opened up the kitchen to incorporate the sunroom and create one large open concept sun-filled happy space with direct access to the rear yard and seating areas. The kitchen was designed to act as one space with clearly delineated zones, where each person could cook autonomously while being together. Additionally, we maintained a soft seating lounge area and a desk for crafting in natural light. At the heart of the kitchen is a 6’ x 8’ solid black cherry island which serves as the social hub for gatherings. We used different materials and textures in each zone to clearly represent the two uniquely individual and dynamic personalities of this couple. A black and white glass mosaic tile backsplash speaks to the glass fused hobby that is created in the same space while creating a dramatic statement of a playful artistic expression. The custom designed wine niches introduce abstract rectilinear forms. The use of rich materials, two-toned cabinets, custom floating black cherry shelving and a classic colour palette of black and white act as a backdrop or canvas, which intentionally allows room for each personal expression to shine. We doubled the storage capacity within the kitchen which is still discreet and still allows for an abundance of glass front interior lit cabinets to showcase their treasured collections.