Home Trends - RENOVATION ISSUE | Page 101

Lesley and Carolyn chose a 13-year-old home in a leafy neighbourhood to call their own. “The house had good bones. We bought it with the intention of renovating it,” says Lesley. “The home was a blank canvas,” Lesley recalls. Renovations on the two-storey, four bedroom and 3 ½ bath home took four months. “We wanted to do the renovations early, and do it just once.” Lesley and Carolyn’s kitchen is their home’s heart. “Eighty percent of the family’s time is spent in the family room off of the kitchen,” Lesley notes. More than just a pretty face, the kitchen with its elegant and ample storage, evokes a French patisserie. The kitchen’s open concept provides Lesley a wide view of their sons as they play in the adjoining family room. “It was awesome to get trusted to run with the process,” recalls designer Evelyn Eshun. Lesley and Carolyn had asked Evelyn for “three key elements in their kitchen: marble counters, navy blue and white cabinets, and an eating area integrated with the island.” They trusted Evelyn to deal with the details. “She whittled down the endless choices for us,” Lesley comments. The classic, contemporary kitchen has practical beauty. The white cabinets along with the Statuario marble, which graces the island’s counter and table top, brighten the kitchen with an elegant, durable material. Stained blue, the maple wood cabinets, table and island bases provide a visual anchor to the kitchen’s white elements. The kitchen’s Miele induction stov RF