Article by Michelle Heslop. Photos by Leanna Rathkelly.
When a Vancouver Island couple envisioned a traditionally styled country kitchen with a dash of English charm for their 3600 square-foot custom built home, they needed the right people for the job. The couple called on David and Ros Sheridan of Splinters Millworks who came highly recommended by the builder, Falcon Heights Contracting. A trademark style in Sheridan’s country of origin, timeless farmhouse kitchens became Sheridan’s specialty in Southern England.
After years of living with a small, inefficient kitchen in their one bedroom home, “the owners had assembled a detailed wishlist and Dave just had to piece it together,” says Ros Sheridan. The professional couple had been living on their three-acre property overlooking a valley for a decade when they decided to custom build a home where they could age in place.
The owners wanted the home’s overall feel to be both functional and homey for the two of them, yet spacious enough to host family and friends on special occasions. Connection a major theme in the design, the primary goal was to connect the home’s interior to its natural surroundings and views through multiple entries, skylights and windows. “The detailed wishlist for the kitchen started with elements that would accommodate the tall owners, open shelving, built-in flour bins and a pull-out bread board built into the face frame for the farmhouse feel,” adds Sheridan.
Durable and classic, traditional shaker maple upper and lower cabinets adorn the oven wall while the drawers are a solid flat slab panel. The oven wall is painted “polished cotton” with the two bookend cabinets in natural American Cherry. The chalkboard, recipe book shelf, exposed grain cherry wood and open shelving contribute to the welcoming and comfortable farmhouse feel.
American Cherry was used for the dry store pantry with mesh screen which allows for airflow and circulation. Concealed appliances keep the area streamlined and include the fridge, dishwasher and freezer drawers. The complementary pairing of woods and deep blue hues creates a casual country aesthetic with a timeless appeal. Engineered white oak flooring throughout the main floor adds a modern touch and keeps the overall feeling light.
The central island invites guests to pull up a stool and join the chef. Painted in “old boys club” blue with a solid maple butcher block top and oiled finish, the island was built to endure years of cooking and entertaining. The Tlupana Blue Marble countertops were quarried on Vancouver Island and maintain the colour scheme that runs throughout the home. A gas stove with griddle and double oven are ideal for holiday entertaining.
In the living area, the traditional shaker fireplace surround in American Cherry maintains the home’s warmth and traditional design scheme. Engineered white oak flooring, American Cherry, Douglas fir, glulam fir beams merge to bring the open concept a natural and cozy aesthetic.
Adjacent to the master bedroom, a main floor laundry room preserves the home’s efficient flow and speaks to the couple’s request to age in place. Sheridan built the cabinetry with plenty of space to accommodate the owner’s wicker basket collection and a laminate worktop was done in matte Formica “dogbone white” with a square wrap edge.
