As this new build townhouse was purchased just a few months before its scheduled completion, most of the finish selections were already in place. Our contribution really all started with the kitchen backsplash . . .

At the rear of the first floor is the great room. The clients decided that instead of having a TV area here they would use this space as their formal dining area: this demanded that we add some glam to the open kitchen. Among the few changes possible was the backsplash, so instead of the marble tiles originally specified, we selected an iridescent glass mosaic. Against this sparkling backdrop, the stainless steel range and hood look positively elegant! We chose taupe quartz countertops to quietly complete the look.

Inspired by the kitchen mosaic's spectrum of taupe, pink, green, and turquoise, we developed several fabric/colour schemes for the client to choose from. Of course, she liked ALL of them, and so we used these as the departure point for our designs in various parts of the house.

In the kitchen/dining room, we worked with a palette of taupes and mauvey-pink. The clients wished to use parts of a dining suite inherited from her parents. Although we nixed the suite's matching buffet and hutch in favour of a large new curio cabinet with a graphic fretwork front, the oval table was a perfect fit for the room's long narrow proportions. Refinishing it and the matching chairs in a coffee bean stain brought these pieces back to life. Chair seats were re-covered in mauve and taupe stripes. To mix up the seating, we re-styled existing Parsons chairs and upholstered them in understated taupe textured chenille. Definitely NOT understated are the new barstools at the island, covered in pink faux crocodile. Windows are simply dressed with embroidered linen drapery. Over the island, a contemporary pendant adds a sculptural element, while simple crystal sconces add sparkle to the dining area.

Walls are painted in a toasty taupe shade (aptly named "Simmering pots", Para Paints) that blends with the soft furnishings, while a warm cream on the bulkheads and ceiling blurs the line between cabinetry and architecture. A thin line of taupe outlines the ceiling just inside the crown moulding, emphasizing the volume of the room and unifying its component spaces. In an opposite vein, we tore out the hardwood flooring in the kitchen portion (too high maintenance for a serious cook) and replaced it with a creamy porcelain tile that mimics planks. Its light tone blends with the main kitchen cabinetry, lightens the work area, and lends the island a "floating" quality. While the sharp contrast in floor colour separates the two areas, the dark wood tone of the contrasting border ties in with the remaining hardwood.

(Continues . . .)