2026 Kitchen Design Tip #6: Layered Lighting Brings a Kitchen to Life

Admiring this Vancouver kitchen renovation by Andrea Jae Studio, you’ll likely first be impressed by the muted pink cabinets, custom half-barrel slat wall or clever sliding storage in the peninsula. But there’s a vital, if inconspicuous, design choice here that allows those star elements to shine. Literally. Studio principal Andrea Ewanchyna explains that the natural light from the kitchen window, dimmable LEDs in the built-in shelving and a soft white paint to reflect ambient rays coming in from the living room all keep the kitchen bathed in a warm, welcoming and bright glow. When her team, along with contractor Condoworks and millworker Millwerks, removed the wall that originally separated the kitchen from the rest of the home, they opted for the partial slat wall to create a foyer.

“They needed some type of front entry, so that you don’t walk in like, ‘Hello, we’re in the kitchen!'” the designer says with a laugh. The feature also casts gorgeous shadows on the white oak floors when drenched in sun.Besides being strategically placed, all of the artificial lighting in this kitchen is dimmable, allowing the homeowners-a retired couple who love to cook-to increase or decrease levels throughout the day. “Nothing was put in just because it looked good.. it’s all there because it is functional for their lifestyle,” says Ewanchyna.

Pretty In Pink-ish

The cozy-coloured millwork is painted in Sherwin-Williams Mulberry Silk. It doesn’t scream pink, but it does add a gentle blush to an otherwise white-and-wood space. The “kit-kat” tile backsplash is Ames Tiles’ Nagoya in white.

Spice It Up

The pull-out pantry is a convenient place to store the couple’s spices and oils, and, thanks to a six-inch dummy panel directly below, opening the door won’t knock your mixing bowl off the counter.