A Dramatic Backsplash Pairs Up With Dark Cabinets
Thickly veined stone is the focal point of this high-contrast kitchen in Toronto
Erin Carlyle
October 3, 2017
Former Houzz Editorial Staff. Writing about the cost of renovation and what it takes to remodel. Former Forbes real estate reporter. Fascinated by cool homes, watching the bottom line.
Former Houzz Editorial Staff. Writing about the cost of renovation and what it takes... More
Photos by Valerie Wilcox
Kitchen at a Glance
Who lives here: A family of four, including two teenagers
Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Size: 210 square feet (19.5 square meters)
Backstory: This is the home of a custom builder and his family, who hired Frankie Castro of Square Footage to help them design their new residence in Toronto.
Scope of work: This home is a new build.
Style: The homeowners chose to go dark with the cabinet materials, backsplash and island. Keeping the back wall free of upper cabinets and going with white for the walls brightens the room.
Layout: The kitchen is adjacent to the family room and formal dining room. To unite the three spaces, the designer ran the oak floorboard material up the wall. “You see the wood detail that runs around,” Castro says. “That was kind of our tie-in factor to make these three rooms work together.”
Flooring and wall feature: 5-by-9/16-inch Oak in Stone City, Antiqued collection, Kentwood
Kitchen at a Glance
Who lives here: A family of four, including two teenagers
Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Size: 210 square feet (19.5 square meters)
Backstory: This is the home of a custom builder and his family, who hired Frankie Castro of Square Footage to help them design their new residence in Toronto.
Scope of work: This home is a new build.
Style: The homeowners chose to go dark with the cabinet materials, backsplash and island. Keeping the back wall free of upper cabinets and going with white for the walls brightens the room.
Layout: The kitchen is adjacent to the family room and formal dining room. To unite the three spaces, the designer ran the oak floorboard material up the wall. “You see the wood detail that runs around,” Castro says. “That was kind of our tie-in factor to make these three rooms work together.”
Flooring and wall feature: 5-by-9/16-inch Oak in Stone City, Antiqued collection, Kentwood
Here’s a closer look at the wall and ceiling panels, finished in the same material as the floor.
This photo also shows a special detail that helps warm the space: The cabinet above the fridge is lighted, creating a golden glow.
Bar stools: Faux leather metal counter stools, Bouclair; browse bar stools
This photo also shows a special detail that helps warm the space: The cabinet above the fridge is lighted, creating a golden glow.
Bar stools: Faux leather metal counter stools, Bouclair; browse bar stools
Cabinets: The black upper cabinets are a semi-lacquered material designed to retain a smooth, flat finish over the long haul. “When you scratch these, you can rub your hand against the scratch and the heat of your hand will make the material melt together again,” Castro says.
Island: The island base features the same wood veneer on the end as on the lower cabinets and the same black material as on the upper cabinetry. “We really wanted that island to be a little more monolithic” so that it would not compete with the backsplash, Castro says.
Lower cabinets: European laminate in Meteor Gray, Miralis; upper cabinets: semi-lacquered in Absolute Black Matte, Miralis; island countertop: 4600 Organic White, Caesarstone; chandelier: Crown Plana by Nemo, Casa Di Luce
Island: The island base features the same wood veneer on the end as on the lower cabinets and the same black material as on the upper cabinetry. “We really wanted that island to be a little more monolithic” so that it would not compete with the backsplash, Castro says.
Lower cabinets: European laminate in Meteor Gray, Miralis; upper cabinets: semi-lacquered in Absolute Black Matte, Miralis; island countertop: 4600 Organic White, Caesarstone; chandelier: Crown Plana by Nemo, Casa Di Luce
Backsplash: “We wanted something very strong and striking” for the backsplash, Castro says. “That’s the wow piece of that kitchen.” The backsplash is a single piece of quartz; the perimeter counter is in the same material.
Cabinet pulls: The designer chose capped bronze hardware for the cabinetry to bring some warm metal into the space.
Backsplash and countertop: Galloway quartz, Coastal collection, Cambria; cabinet pulls: Top Knobs
Cabinet pulls: The designer chose capped bronze hardware for the cabinetry to bring some warm metal into the space.
Backsplash and countertop: Galloway quartz, Coastal collection, Cambria; cabinet pulls: Top Knobs
Bench seating: Since the couple have teenage kids who are on their computers or phones nonstop — frequently in their bedrooms — they wanted to create a space in the common area where the kids would like hanging out. This welcoming bench area was Castro’s solution.
Open shelving: The designer added greenery on the shelves to keep the space from feeling cold.
Toss pillows: Pier 1 Imports; see more pillows and throws
Open shelving: The designer added greenery on the shelves to keep the space from feeling cold.
Toss pillows: Pier 1 Imports; see more pillows and throws
The kitchen has plenty of natural light thanks to all the windows. The ceiling is a tray style, finished in modern lines.
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@hsmeghan : The countertop/backsplash is quartz, which is a manufactured product. Cambria has something like 93% quartz (natural stone) mixed with resin and other components. So while the countertop is technically stone, it is not a natural slab like you might have thought. I hope that helps!
Very cool kitchen, but I love the backsplash gorgeous!
Beautiful kitchen. How did you install the hood on top of the quartz backsplash ? Do you need specific support ? Thank you