ARCHITECTURE AND DESIGN: SMOOTH TRANSITION

Stainless-steel drawer fronts near the cooktop add bling, and matching finishes on the range hood trim and drawer pulls unite disparate materials.

Frosted-glass insets at the top of the cabinets and corner shelves near the cooktop add storage and interest. A milk finish on the white cabinets gives them sheen and depth.

White marble on the island keeps the cabinetry from appearing heavy. Simple drawer pulls project a vintage look. Storage in the island makes it easy for the Dearsley children to access essentials.

The fridge wall includes two refrigerators, as well as everyday and seasonal storage. A rolling ladder allows access to upper cabinets.

As vice president of sales for Downsview Kitchens, a Toronto—area cabinetry company, Russell Dearsley spends a lot of time in beautiful kitchens around the world. When it came time to design a kitchen for his own home, he needed an elegant yet efficient space that would stand up to the everyday use of his family, which includes his wife, interior designer Dina Mati, and two active children, ages 8 and 11. He also wanted the kitchen to function as a design lab and showroom where he could tty new ideas and materials. Tossing out the standard kitchen that came with their new home, Russell and Dina tweaked the floor plan to make the room their own. Russell tackled space planning and the big picture; Dina focused on the fine finishes and distinctive details. “I make frequent trips to Europe and believe that a transitional style is where the high-end market is headed," Russell says. "It's a very sophisticated look, but one that is timeless, too. "Key to the look, he says, is a deft mix of materials-in this case, off-white perimeter cabinetry, a dark walnut island and storage wall, and polished-nickel and stainless-steel accents, which add sparkle and sophistication. The long marble-topped island serves as the 2.4x17-fopot room's visual anchor and provides both prep space and storage. The family opted to forgo a sink in the island to make the space function better as a buffet for entertaining the avid cooks host weekly meals for extended family. To keep the range wall symmetrical, they eliminated a walk-in pantry from the floor plan, instead using the wall space to house a coffeemaker and appliance garage. "W'e didn‘t feel we needed a walk-in pantry with all ofthe storage we were planning," Russell says.

The couple also added a bay window and curved built-in banquette between the kitchen and adjacent family room. "We eat there, the kids do homework, and we play games there," Russell says. Opposite the banquette, a tall wall of cabinetry provides ample storage, and its rolling ladder—reminiscent of vintage libraries—is a conversation piece but also highly practical. "With ceilings getting higher and higher, it’s almost a necessity these days," he says.

The kitchen has more than rnet expectations—those of both the family and discriminating clients. "The space works very well for us,“ Russell says. As hoped, it has also served as inspiration for others. "I’ve had people come to me and say, ‘I want your kitchen,' right down to the island chairs. lt’s a huge compliment and a real measure of the kitchen’s success."