Western Living Magazine
Kitchen Design Tip 1: A Little Practicality Can Be Beautiful
7 More Swoon-worthy Staircases
Great Spaces: Vancouver’s El Gato Gab Gab Cocktail Bar
Recipe: Lemon-Coconut Cream Pie
Recipe: Gingery Citrusy Sangria
Composed Winter Beet and Citrus Salad
Local Getaway Idea: Kingfisher’s Healing Caves Redefine Wellness and Escape
Editors’ Picks: Our Favourite Western Living Travel Stories of 2024
Winter Getaway Guide 2024: Wine, Bavarian Charm and Luxe Lodging Without the Skis
New and Noteworthy: 11 Homeware Picks to Refresh Your Space in 2025
Protected: The Secret Ingredient to Creating the Perfect Kitchen: Bosch
The Best Home Accessories Our Editors Bought This Year
Over 50% Sold! Grab Your Tickets to Our Western Living Design 25 Party Now
Join Us for Our First Western Living Design 25 Party!
Announcing the Finalists for the 2025 Western Living Design 25 Awards
Build in storage elsewhere in the kitchen—like a smartly designed pantry or island.
Upper cabinetry is useful but can make a space feel dark and closed in—so, is it possible to design a functional kitchen for a family of four with no upper cabinetry at all? Nancy Surby, principal of Nako Design, proves that the answer is yes via this Edmonton kitchen.
“Having a sizeable pantry really helps,” explains the designer, who opted for walk-in storage to make up for the lack of uppers. The pill-shaped island is surprisingly spacious, as well: it houses a dishwasher, space for garbage and recycling and hidden shelving behind curvilinear doors. “There’s a comfortable flow of walking around the island; no harsh angles,” says Surby. The result is a space that is bright and calming but also practical: the perfect combo for a busy household.
Are you over 18 years of age?