Dramatic Reds Warm a Cool Canadian Kitchen
Kids ice skating outside are on view in this newly open space with a sensational banquette fabric and generous shelving
“They love red, and they didn’t want anything cookie-cutter,” says designer Frankie Castro, speaking of her clients’ initial desires for their kitchen. To deliver on that request, she and her husband and partner, John Bozic, introduced a bright red dragon print to a banquette area. The red accent is repeated, sparingly, throughout the new gray-toned kitchen, resulting in a look that’s both serene and surprising.
At the very top of the homeowners’ wish list was the ability to watch their sons play on a seasonal ice rink that gets erected each year in the backyard. The designers removed a wall to open the kitchen and dining spaces, which in turn provided abundant views of the outdoor skating shenanigans.
Flooring: brushed oak in Coho, Kentwood; paint: Ice Fog, Benjamin Moore
Flooring: brushed oak in Coho, Kentwood; paint: Ice Fog, Benjamin Moore
A generous spot for books was also high on the list. (One of the homeowners is an editor who, naturally, has amassed a significant collection.)
Pendant lights with unmatched shades illuminate the countertop. “We couldn’t decide which one we wanted,” Castro says. “The clients liked all three, so we just did one of each.”
At the other end of the kitchen, a diptych of two native women riding horses offers a composition with the perfect dash of color to tie into the rest of the space.
Pendant lights: Viola, Emilee and Lea, Nuevo; countertop: Misty Carrera, Caesarstone
Pendant lights with unmatched shades illuminate the countertop. “We couldn’t decide which one we wanted,” Castro says. “The clients liked all three, so we just did one of each.”
At the other end of the kitchen, a diptych of two native women riding horses offers a composition with the perfect dash of color to tie into the rest of the space.
Pendant lights: Viola, Emilee and Lea, Nuevo; countertop: Misty Carrera, Caesarstone
With two sons under 10, the clients felt a message center was a must. The designers created this one from a piece of blackboard that Bozic found in a high school dumpster. The couple outfitted a directional sconce at the top to turn this area into a standout feature.
Cabinets: Miralis; wall sconces: Torpedo, Restoration Hardware
Cabinets: Miralis; wall sconces: Torpedo, Restoration Hardware
Throughout the space, icy tones mimic the often frozen outdoor environment. They’re warmed by bronze hardware and well-placed red accents.
Backsplash: White Experience, Ceragres
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Kitchen at a Glance
Location: Ontario, Canada
Size: About 250 square feet (23 square meters)
Designers: Frankie Castro and John Bozic of design-build firm Square Footage
The long banquette flanks a vintage dining set, offering practicality and aesthetic interest.
Table and chairs: Refinished by Mango Reclaimed; banquette fabric: Dragon in Pigmentos, Designer Fabrics; pendant light: Finley, Crate & Barrel