Edible Vancouver Island Design 2022

WHAT DREAMS ARE MADE OF

WORDS DOROTHY HAWES PHOTOS JODY BECK

Recently, I’ve noticed several surveys oating around Facebook and Instagram asking people which room in their home they nd them selves spending the most time in. For me, the answer is de nitely the kitchen; it’s the epicentre, mission control room, Grand Central Station, or whatever you might call it, and it’s the heartbeat of the home. When we planned our recent kitchen renovation, it was important for me to not only think about the basics that I absolutely needed, but also consider elements that would make it my dream kitchen. ose who know me will attest to the fact that I love to cook, bake and entertain, and consequently, the kitchen is the hub, whether we are hanging out as a family or entertaining extended family and friends. However, even if your primary entertaining space is your living room or dining room, it seems inevitable that at some point your guests will end up in the kitchen! My daughter, Ashley, is an interior designer and, at the time of our renovation, she was working for a kitchen design company. Not only was it exciting to contemplate a new kitchen, but it was also a lovely opportunity to work with her in designing a space that worked well for our needs as a family to create an aura of warmth, functionality and beauty. Ashley’s philosophy is: “If you’re going to spend a lot of time in the kitchen, you really want to fall in love with the space. e number one goal is to create a beautifully aesthetic design while also making sure it is functional.” We knew it was time to update our 1990s kitchen with its dated lino ooring, green laminate countertops and tired appliances. We gutted the entire space and started from scratch, keeping some elements from the original layout but adding a sit-up peninsula. For me, this was an important feature in redesigning the kitchen, so I was insistent that we incorporate either an island or a peninsula into the layout. e beauty of any sit-up counter space is that it provides an additional social area for your family or guests. Our peninsula has become the hub for morning co ee, breakfast, lunch and especially happy hour; it also provides a perfect space for laying out drinks and “Is this where the world began? For surely it had begun in no other than a place like this. The kitchen, without doubt, was the centre of creation.” –Ray Bradbury in Dandelion Wine

12 DESIGN 2022 EDIBLE VANCOUVER ISLAND