Kitchens & Baths

IT’S BEEN about 18 months since the dust settled on my kitchen renovation. I wish I could tell you I got it all right, but there are a few things I wish I could go back and do over. Don’t get me wrong — I absolutely love so much about my new space. It looks exactly how I hoped it would, from the tiled brick floors to the warm cedar cabinets. The improved layout includes a new table and banquette where our family gathers to eat meals and where our kids do their homework. It was one of the things missing from our former kitchen. I also love the fabrics I chose for this area including the Knoll material on the seat cushion and the Josef Frank pattern on the…

1 PERSONALIZATION Refining its craft for more than 50 years, Canadian-owned Merit Kitchens combines standard and custom cabinets, providing the best of both worlds: personalization without the high price. Vista Slab door front in Dahlia; Industry Slab door front in High-gloss Chalk. 2 DETAIL-ORIENTED Beautifully constructed cabinets and customdesigned integrated storage solutions are tailored to how you use your kitchen — and are all part of the Merit Kitchens package. FROM LEFT: Beckham Flat door front in Haze; Beckham Flat drawer front in Wicker stain. 3 DESIGN-FORWARD OPTIONS Choose from a curated range of door styles and finishes. Sleek, modern profiles to warm transitional classics are offered in quality materials and custom colours. Beckham Flat door front in Haze. 4 PRECISION-CRAFTED From design collaboration to installation and delivery, Merit Kitchens blends…

HOUSE & HOME: What’s your studio’s design ethos? ANNE-MARIE BUEMANN: We call our design philosophy “Compelling Minimalism,” and our approach is rooted in Danish values and design heritage infused with the spirit of Japan. H&H: We love the Japandi vibe in your kitchen! What elements of Danish and Japanese design came together to bring home the look? AMB: The kitchen is designed by my Danish studio, OEO Studio, and we’ve worked with clients in Japan since 2011, so Japanese design is a natural part of our DNA now. Both cultures have an almost humble and more austere approach to design. Neither Japanese nor Danish design is flashy or opulent — it’s more grounded. In my kitchen, you could say that form follows function; every detail has been carefully considered. H&H:…

Canyon Lake Tile “I love this Ann Sacks tile collection so much that I used it in my own home. I just converted an underutilized closet in my studio into a bathroom, and the shower walls are clad in a pattern of Canyon Lake tile. In another kitchen, I used Antique White squares in an offset pattern and added two layers of the rectangle tile at the bottom in a soldier course pattern for a pretty border.” Castia Bathroom Faucet “I love how this bathroom faucet uses the most delicate details to create a big statement. A beautiful rim of knurled metal encircles the base of the handles, a nod to classic hardware design. On the levers, there are chic H and C stamps for the temperature controls.” Embra One-light…

HOUSE & HOME: What’s the first thing you do when you walk into someone’s kitchen? JEN ROWE: I look for the dishwasher! When a homeowner is showing me around and sharing their struggles, I can gauge if the things they use most frequently are near the dishwasher. If not, that’s a flag for me. H&H: Do most people have the same trouble zones? JR: While a lot of people struggle with similar things, it does vary depending on lifestyle, size of the household and layout of the space. If it’s a family with small children, the snack area or kids’ dishware is often hard to keep organized. Other times, with families that cook a lot, the spices and pantry are hard to navigate. On the other hand, if it’s a…

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