Article by Michelle Heslop. Photos by Joshua Lawrence.
Set in 4000-square-feet of modern architecture, this striking minimalist modern kitchen renovation rises to the highest of design heights. Sleek and reflective, white gloss cabinets and stainless steel highlights paired with rich, horizontal grain rosewood anchors this open-plan kitchen to keep it warm and inviting. The monochromatic colour palette, with an abundance of shine, reflects the light from the wall of glass that opens onto 3000-square-feet of waterfront terrace space.
Completed in 2013, this modern design was the creative collaboration of Claire Reimann, in-house designer at Jason Good Custom Cabinets, Daniel Robbins of Sakura Developments and the design-savvy homeowners, an architect and designer. Millworker, Jason Good, of Jason Good Custom Cabinets Inc, transformed this potentially stark open-plan kitchen into a welcoming, multifunctional, space ideal for entertaining. Taking design cues from the condo’s modern architecture, Reimann and Good boost high-design and spaciousness in a layout that includes sleek finishes and streamlined cabinetry concealing state-of-the-art appliances.
“We were brought into the project with a blank slate to work with; all the plumbing and mechanical had already been roughed in from a previous designer,” says Good. Originally set to use an Italian company for the millwork, Good was brought in and rose to the challenge of dazzling them with his millwork. Between two designers and two architects, the design collaboration won a Gold award for best contemporary kitchen over 300-square-feet and second place in North American for a medium-sized kitchen.
Relocating to Victoria from Winnipeg, this style conscious couple knew what they wanted for their luxury condo in Esquimalt’s prestigious Swallow’s Landing. With a penchant for modern architecture and design, the couple desired 4000-square-feet of monochromatic space with sleek tile floors that would allow the views of the harbour and the Olympic Mountains to take centre stage.
“The design challenge was to create a kitchen big enough for the open space without overpowering the expansive area,” Good states. Working around some of the awkwardly placed structural posts also posed a significant challenge in order to create spacious pathways and functional work areas.
“We brought in a specialized cutter to create a custom bevel in the pure white Caesarstone,” says Good. Caesarstone, an engineered natural quartz, is a solid, non-porous surface that doesn’t need to be sealed and requires minimal maintenance. “One of the logistical challenges of the build was fitting the stone in the building’s narrow elevator. In order for it to fit, the stone had to be cut to a specific size. We definitely maxed out on size, but the results are stunning,” Good adds.
The goal was to fashion a fuss-free design that was subtle and sleek with warm rosewood used to anchor the light space. “We wanted to create a tranquil, modern aesthetic keeping sight lines open to allow the views to take the spotlight,” Good says. In typical Good style, applying symmetry and balance, he created few interruptions in cabinetry. For a sleek, modernist look Good used “a repetition of sizes, handleless cabinets and appliances hidden behind panels to create a calming effect.” Rather than pendant lights, recessed pot lights were used in the design to keep unnecessary visual clutter at bay.
Unique to the design, a sizeable floating stainless steel panel is attached to the rosewood floating cabinet. Supporting one another, the two cabinets hover above the tile creating an almost futuristic feel. The ten-foot floating rosewood cabinet acts as a buffet to the dining area. Both beauty and function at work, the lit glass section through the centre of the rosewood provides storage and a place to display personal items.
Good adds that “we did a tung oil finish on the rosewood to accentuate the grain of the wood and to emphasize the rosewood’s rich, warm colour.” Tung oil provides a waterproof finish that is impervious to dust, alcohol and fruit and vegetable acids. Stainless steel kicks were meticulously ground to the floor for a precise finish.
