If there is one place in our home where we went all out, it’s the kitchen. As a food blogger and registered dietitian, I practically live here, so it was important that the space be both beautiful and highly functional. Below I’ll walk through the details of what we chose and why — including my favourite features.
SHOP MY KITCHEN
Charles and I spent a lot of time in the design phase to make sure everything worked for how we cook and live. We didn’t rush the process, and it paid off — the kitchen functions perfectly and feels timeless. I’m genuinely in love with it and wouldn’t change a thing.
Cabinetry
Norelco designed our cabinetry and did an incredible job. Choosing the right white was surprisingly difficult — many samples were too warm or too pink — but we landed on Benjamin Moore Simply White. We selected a simple shaker profile with a subtle curved detail inside the frame to soften the look and avoid an overly modern feel. Late in the process I added glass doors flanking the range for the upper cabinets; they broke up the expanse of cabinetry and let me display my favourite white pieces.
Norelco’s attention to detail and customer service made the design process easy and enjoyable. They later designed our office as well, and we were thrilled with their work.
Range & Hood Fan
We cook a lot, so kitchen workflow was a top priority. One of the best changes we made was widening the gap between the island and the stove to six feet — it gives plenty of room to work and avoids conflicts when the dishwasher or oven is open. Charles pushed for this layout and he was right.
We installed an 8-burner Fisher & Paykel range with dual ovens. Its slightly industrial look and traditional dial controls appealed to me. The custom hood fan, also coordinated through Norelco, complements the range and keeps the work area comfortable when we’re cooking big meals.
Dishwasher
Because we do a lot of dishes, we chose drawer-style dishwashers from Fisher & Paykel. They look clean and modern, and having two independent drawers is very practical for separate loads. They perform well and make daily cleanup easier.
Fridge
We installed dual Fisher & Paykel fridges integrated with cabinet faces by Norelco. While it may have seemed excessive at first, the extra capacity is useful for my work and for family life. The fridges aren’t too deep, so items don’t get lost in the back, and we have a generous pull-out freezer below. I can already tell the additional space will be appreciated as the kids grow and eat more.
We matched the fridge hardware to the rest of the kitchen using Emtek’s Spindle appliance pulls in brass, which add a refined, classic touch.
Lighting
Lighting took a lot of thought. After several rounds of fixtures, we landed on pendants that make a statement over the island and are the 17″ versions we placed about four feet apart. Our island is 8′ x 5′ and that spacing frames it nicely. Charles also insisted on many recessed LED pot lights; initially I thought it was overkill, but the result is excellent. We chose energy-efficient fixtures that produce a warm, natural light. Good lighting sets the mood and makes a space feel welcoming and functional.
Counters
We wanted the look of veined marble without the maintenance, so we chose Silestone Statuario by Cosentino. It has subtle marbling, resists stains much better than Carrera marble, and is durable for daily use. While it can mark if left in contact with strong stains like turmeric or red wine, those marks don’t tend to be permanent.
On the island we went with a thicker 2.5″ edge, while the perimeter counters are a standard thickness. The thicker island top gives the space added presence and anchors the open-concept main level.
Hardware
I went back and forth on hardware but ultimately switched from polished nickel to warm brass, which I love. We used Emtek’s French Antique Brass Cup Pulls and Norwich knobs in French Antique Brass. The brass warms up the white cabinetry and feels classic and inviting.
Flooring
We installed Shaw Castlewood Oak in Tapestry engineered hardwood. The wide plank, lighter tone, and visible grain make it forgiving and practical while still elegant. It hides wear well and suits the kitchen’s overall aesthetic.
Tile
For the backsplash we chose Fireclay Tile’s Frost 3×5″ tiles with Alabaster grout. The warm white and crackled finish create a timeless, textured backdrop that complements the rest of the kitchen.
Sink and Faucets
I wanted a farmhouse sink and chose Kohler’s Whitehaven Smart Divide large double-bowl sink with an offset divider — it gives the best mix of capacity and function. I prefer a divided sink for rinsing vegetables or draining while still having another basin available. Our faucets are from Kohler’s Artifacts collection in polished nickel, which offers a warm, refined finish. We also added a pot filler from the same collection, which is convenient when cooking with large pots.
Stay tuned — I’ll share a follow-up post about the design choices that made our kitchen especially functional and family-friendly.
xo
Tori