5 Design Decisions That Elevated The Garden Ave Kitchen
Go behind the scenes to see how intentional design choices turned a once-disjointed kitchen into a warm, cohesive heart of the home.
Before: Project Garden Ave Kitchen
When we first visited this home on Garden Ave, it was clear the kitchen wasn’t living up to its potential. The layout felt cramped and disconnected, and the back door - used as a primary entrance - opened directly into the kitchen with nowhere to land. It lacked flow, storage, and any real sense of welcome.
Rather than moving around the existing structure, we reimagined it entirely. What followed was a series of thoughtful design choices - each one rooted in both function and feel - that transformed the kitchen into a space that works beautifully and feels distinctly layered and considered.
Here are five of those decisions, and why they mattered.
(1) A Mid-Height Backsplash That Balances Function and Elegance
Rather than having a curbed backsplash (4-6” high) or all the way to the ceiling, we opted for a mid-height installation.
It’s a less conventional choice - but here, it was exactly the right one. This tailored approach gave the space a softer visual transition and allowed the wall above to breathe.
We finished the stone edge in a Dupont profile - a subtle curve that adds softness and polish. It's one of those tiny details that most wouldn’t think to request, but that instantly signals custom.
(2) Sconces That Set the Tone
Lighting is never an afterthought in our projects - it’s foundational. While pot lights offer general illumination, we layered in two styles of wall sconces to create warmth, intimacy, and visual rhythm.
The effect? A subtle nod to hospitality design that brings a restaurant-like charm to the space. It’s also highly functional - task lighting where you need it most, and a beautiful interplay with the mixed metal finishes used throughout.
(3) Custom Furniture with a Purpose
We struggled to find a dining table that worked with the tight footprint of their eating area. So we designed one.
The custom table features an obtuse triangular shape, allowing us to fit four seats comfortably without overwhelming the space. Paired with a built-in banquette, it reinforces the feel of a cozy dining nook - again, drawing from the warmth and intimacy of a favourite bistro.
Every inch was considered. Every decision had a purpose.
(4) Bringing the Outdoors In with Wallpaper
To give the dining nook added depth and personality, we installed wallpaper above the banquette. The chosen pattern - a nod to the leafy streets of Toronto’s Roncesvalles neighbourhood - echoes the nature just outside their door.
The palette of the whole space pulls from the outdoors - walnut, oak, sky blue, and soft greens, complementing the paper and natural light. The result is layered and organic. Elevated, without ever feeling overdone.
(5) Millwork That Mixes It Up - Intentionally
This kitchen features two tones of cabinetry - a warm wood finish alongside a soft painted hue - and two door styles: slab fronts and classic shaker.
Mixing profiles and finishes is an advanced design move. Done right, it creates interest and depth while still feeling cohesive. We took it a step further by carefully considering hardware placement. Instead of centreing knobs or placing them in the corners by default, we adjusted based on hand-feel, alignment, and visual flow.
And yes - we mixed knobs and handles too.
The Takeaway: Customization is in the Details
What makes a kitchen feel truly elevated isn’t just high-end finishes or trendy colours. It’s the decisions behind the design - how each element is tailored to the home, the clients, and how they live.
The Garden Ave kitchen is a perfect example of how thoughtful design choices can transform a space that wasn’t working into one that feels effortless.
Ready to rethink your home?
If you're dreaming of a space that works beautifully and feels distinctly yours, we’d love to help. Get in touch to learn more about how full-service design can simplify your renovation - and elevate your everyday life.