WL Design 25

WL Design 25 Winners 2025: Kitchen Noir

A moody black palette for this Calgary kitchen is perfect for a stylish young family.

By Kerri Donaldson /
Eymeric Widling

Photos by Eymeric Widling

This Calgary kitchen’s moody palette is unapologetically dramatic: matte black cabinets and ebony-stained oak and set a sophisticated tone while staying warm and inviting—ideal for stylish young homeowners adapting to life with a new baby. Designer Samantha Smiddy of Smiddy Stegman balances high-contrast, cost effective finishes here for splurge-y focal points elsewhere, like the quartzite fireplace surround.

While the kitchen is limited for natural light, a reeded backsplash window offers a creative solution to bring in illumination while providing privacy from nearby neighbours. Smiddy’s vision, as she describes in her submission, is “a fusion of contemporary boldness and family-oriented simplicity.” It’s a space that thrives on contrast: bold yet balanced, budget-conscious yet impactful. In a design world full of grey areas, sometimes leaning into the daring extreme is exactly what makes you stand out.

Project: Quartzite contemporary kitchen
Designer: Smiddy Stegman
Collaborators: Reverie Designs, Saville Homes
Location: Calgary

Meet all of the 2025 WL Design 25 winners here.

 

Kerri Donaldson

Kerri Donaldson

Kerri Donaldson is an assistant editor at Western Living (and sister mag Vancouver) where she writes about future design stars for the regular “One to Watch” feature and home design stories. Pitch her at [email protected].