Megan decided to preserve many of the home's original Victorian architectural details, such as the arched windows and cast iron radiators, and contrast them with the more contemporary-looking kitchen. “I really wanted it to be minimal, clean, welcoming and very functional,” she says. The old kitchen was at the back of the house, so Megan renovated the entire main floor to create a more fluid, open-concept space. She removed the iced oak front cabinets but kept the abundance of storage. She didn't want any unpleasant visual interruptions, so she ditched the stovetop in favor of a sleek Bosch gas cooktop and KitchenAid wall oven/microwave combo. One of the hallmarks of Megan's designs is layering texture in her spaces, and she incorporates handmade Crescent zellige tiles sourced from Morocco using them for the backsplash. “They have a real personality because no two are the same,” she says. “We also took it all the way to the ceiling, so the line of sight really goes up.” A custom milled wood peninsula serves double duty as Megan's kitchen island and her workspace.
What's the secret weapon she uses to stay on budget? IKEA cabinet. “I obviously wanted the kitchen to look upscale and custom, so finding that balance was important,” she says. Megan selected IKEA spare slab-front cabinets with a velvety matte soft-touch finish and custom accents used strategically to enhance the overall effect. The wooden pantry shelves, custom-built by factory workers, are equipped with lighting to make nighttime cooking more functional. The cookbook shelf was Megan's way of adding her personality to the space.
The overall impression of the kitchen is bright, clean, and minimalist, rather than austere. “Whenever I host a party, it's the place everyone wants to go,” she says. “It’s really the heart of the house.”
place: Trinity Bellwoods neighborhood in Toronto, Canada
