How do you create a sense of character in a new-build kitchen? Just ask designers Curtis Elmy and Trevor Ciona of Atmosphere Interior Design, who created a luxe yet traditional gathering place for a Saskatoon family. They added book-matched marble and warm oak cabinets to spice up the space and make it truly unique. “In a new-build, we use elements that look like they’ve been curated over a period of time, and we incorporate details that are hard to replicate,” says Curtis. Scroll down to tour this striking showhome kitchen!
This new-build kitchen design is spot-on for the owners who bought the showhome: a doctor, her husband and their two sons from Ottawa. They’ve embraced Curtis and Trevor’s vision of a distinctive kitchen that looks detailed but edited. “Once we saw the Calacatta Cielo marble, there was no turning back,” says Curtis. “It’s a big-ticket item, but it’s what makes the kitchen truly unique.”
A custom vent hood with metal straps is a dramatic focal point. “We mixed metals, which gives the space more longevity — they won’t tire of things as quickly,” says Trevor.
“Don’t be afraid to paint things a bold color,” advises Trevor (right). “People worry about kitchens being too dark, and even though there’s no white in this kitchen, it still has a light, airy feel because of how the light reflects off the different finishes like the polished marble backsplash and brass lighting. You don’t always have to do light colors.”
“Layers of lighting are really important to us,” says Trevor. “At night, this kitchen is bathed in a beautiful glow.”
A composite, concrete-look counter adds industrial edge. “It’s not a large enough kitchen to need a prep sink in the island, and it’s nice to have an uninterrupted work surface,” says Trevor.
“Island facings are often overlooked,” says Curtis. “We used a shiplap treatment and gave the counter a stepped bevel for extra detail.”
