The Heart of the Home: Dream kitchens designed to be lived In

A well-designed kitchen looks beautiful and supports the way a household lives, gathers, and moves through the day. From hurried weekday breakfasts before school to late-night snacks, homework on the island, and kitchen party conversations, this space truly becomes the focal point of a home.

Every renovation starts with a vision and careful planning. Working with a designer or contractor will help bring that vision to life within your budget and ensure you get the necessary permits in place before you begin. Whether you’re ready to renovate or simply collecting inspiration, these local kitchen companies offer ideas to spark your own dream space.

The Wright Kitchen Done Right

The Wright Kitchen understands that this room is the heart of a home, and no two designs are the same. They recently worked with a client who purchased an older house with the intention of renovating and personalizing the space. The original kitchen was disconnected from separate dining and family rooms, and their goal was to achieve a more functional flow for their young family.

“The client wanted a more classic and timeless kitchen, which happened to be on trend at the moment,” says Nicole Jenkins, Designer at The Wright Kitchen. “We achieved this by pairing creamy white and medium wood tone cabinetry, choosing to finish exposed cabinet ends with two-inch wide columns. Taj Mahal Quartzite counters were used to add texture, depth and warmth, and we mixed in polished nickel handles and knobs to infuse character into the space.”

There are a lot of little decisions that go into a kitchen renovation. An experienced designer can guide clients through the process. “One of my favourite details in this kitchen is the mitered stone apron front sink,” Jenkins notes. “I also love the soft texture and shape of the curved drywall hood.”

Chervin Kitchen & Bath Showstopper

This renovation is rooted in collaboration and thoughtful design. Working alongside West Oak Interiors and Ledgerock Custom Homes, Chervin Kitchen and Bath brought the homeowner’s vision to life: a timeless, elegant space inspired by traditional European charm rather than fleeting trends.

“We are especially proud of how we were able to reflect the homeowner’s goals,” explains Paula Lang, Cabinetry Designer at Chervin Kitchen and Bath. “I love working on projects where people choose what they love, not what others would want. Tell me what inspires you, and let’s turn that vision into something truly unique.”

Lang says the custom treatments took this project from “nice” to “luxurious”. The kitchen includes clever and discreet functionality. Every detail, from the backsplash to the limestone and plaster range hood, and from the marble counter tops to the walnut cabinetry, brings rich, earthy tones throughout the space. “Design for a balance between beauty and livability. Choose materials and design elements that you love because those elements will be timeless to you forever.”

K Design for Your Designs

When a client asked for a family-friendly renovation, K Design Custom Cabinets delivered. The goal was a warm, inviting kitchen where the homeowner could cook and bake with her young children and make memories gathering for family meals.

Standout features include natural rift-cut oak, which creates a cozy environment with a hint of Scandinavian inspiration, white oak rollouts in the pantry for easy ventilation of root vegetables, and spill ledges under the ceramic farm sinks to protect the cabinets.

“One unique solution was concealing the electrical outlets in the bottom of the upper cabinets,” explains Karolina Bartosz, Designer at K Design Custom Cabinets. “This kept the backsplash clean and seamless.” Another thoughtful detail is the built-in dog feeding station, complete with a water dispenser.

Bartosz advises homeowners to “create a folder with your favourite photos and ideas, then trust your designer to turn them into an aesthetically pleasing and functional space.”

By Nicole Hilton