Kitchen Crush: We Love This Scandinavian-Inspired Look

An open-concept mid-century kitchen becomes the focal point of the home.

It’s more than just location that makes this kitchen in designer Denise Ashmore’s Vancouver home such an attention grabber. Yes, it’s in a prime spot in the open-concept space—“Sitting at the island you can see down to the front door out to the park, and you are still completely connected to the back yard, too,” Ashmore explains—but the warmth inherent in the design is what really speaks volumes. Rich walnut, luxuriously soft marble and plenty of natural sunlight give the space a linger-all-day vibe.

There are mid-century-inspired bar stools that pair perfectly with the walnut on the island, and a palette of wood and white in keeping with a Scandinavian-inspired design. But there’s an industrial layer that keeps this kitchen from being a classic study in modernism: note the iron-framed windows and exposed fir beams, which offer warm contrast to a heated concrete floor. And designed with plenty of storage in mind, it’s as practical as it is beautiful. Wooden millwork is paired with a set of lacquered cabinets, and, tucked to the side, a butler’s pantry offers ample space for stowing groceries and wine.

All in all, it’s the perfect setting for entertaining, which Ashmore and her husband (and their two kids) do frequently. “We’ll open up the back doors on a sunny day,” she says, “and with everyone coming in and out, it’s like the kitchen extends right outside.”

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Source List

Designer, Project 22 Design, Denise Ashmore, Vancouver, project22design.com.Mid-Century Geo Wood Kilim rug, West Elm, Vancouver and Calgary, westelm.ca. Fritz Hansen Series 7 chairs by Arne Jacobsen, Inform Interiors, Vancouver, informinteriors.com. Dining table, screen wall, bench, wall storage unit, custom by Alex Goldie Custom Furniture, Vancouver, alexgoldiecustom.com. David Weeks Cross Cable Chandelier, Spencer Interiors, Vancouver, spencerinteriors.ca. Benjamin Moore paint, Pacific Paint and Wallpaper, Victoria, pacificpaint.benmoorepaints.com; Coast Decorating Center, Vancouver, coastpaint.com; West Hillhurst Paint and Design, Calgary, westhillhurstpaint.com; ColourSpec North Decorating Inc., Edmonton, paintedmonton.com. Polished concrete floor, Concrete Melody, New Westminster, concretemelody.com. Fritz Hansen Series 7 chairs, Artemide Cuma 20 LED wall sconce, Artemide ceiling light fixtures, Gabriel Ross, Victoria, grshop.ca; Inform Interiors, Vancouver, informinteriors.com; Le Belle Arti, Calgary and Edmonton, lebellearti.com. Libeco linen table runner, Bacci’s, Vancouver, baccisvancouver.com. Dining table, screen wall, walnut wall paneling and shelves, walnut cabinets and island, custom by Alex Goldie Custom Furniture, Vancouver, alexgoldiecustom.com. David Weeks Cross Cable chandelier, Spencer Interiors, Vancouver, spencerinteriors.ca. Benjamin Moore paint, Pacific Paint and Wallpaper, Victoria, pacificpaint.benmoorepaints.com; Coast Decorating Center, Vancouver, coastpaint.com; West Hillhurst Paint and Design, Calgary, westhillhurstpaint.com; ColourSpec North Decorating Inc., Edmonton, paintedmonton.com. Kolbe VistaLuxe Collection sliding doors and windows, Kolbe Gallery, Vancouver, kolbe-kolbe.com; Westside Window and Door, Calgary, kolbe-kolbe.com. Allies framed art, Ray Marasigan, Vancouver, 604-733-7081. Skylights, Columbia, Burnaby, columbiaskylights.com. Grass matte white lacquer parallel lift cabinets and flap system, E.Roko Distributors, across B.C. and Calgary, eroko.ca. Ceramic and glassware on wall shelves and countertop below, homeowner’s own. Caesarstone Concrete quartz backsplash and countertop, brushed and honed Statuarietto Marble island countertop, Bordignon Marble and Granite, Coquitlam, bordignon.ca. Franke sinks, Cantu Bathrooms and Hardware, Vancouver, cantubathrooms.com. Blanco faucets, Emco Ensuite showrooms, across the West, emcoltd.com. Potted plant, West Elm, Vancouver and Calgary, westelm.ca. Wolf Gas cooktop, Trail Appliances, across the West, trail-appliances.com. Le Creuset Dutch oven, Hudson’s Bay, across the West, thebay.com. Blackcreek Mercantile and Trading Co. Blackline Collection boards, Provide, Vancouver, providehome.com. Linnea cabinet handles, Bradford Decorative Hardware, Vancouver, bradfordhardware.com. Pappelina Odd Rug, Orling and Wu, Vancouver, orlingandwu.com. Melamine mint green nesting bowl, homeowner’s own. Walnut bar stools, Fullhouse Modern, Vancouver, fullhousemodern.com. Vase holding flowers, Winners, across the West, winners.ca. Alessi Cactus bowl, Designhouse, Vancouver, designhouse.ca.