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A blend of traditional elements with modern sensibilities, My Design Studio builds in functional details at every turn.BY KAREN KIRK | PHOTOGRAPHY BY LARRY ARNAL

Designer: YASMINE GOODWIN, Principal, My Design Studio

How would you describe My Design Studio’s style? Eclectic. We like to blend old traditions with newer trends, colours, finishes and lots of details.

What are the most common mistakes homeowners make when renovating a kitchen and how can they be avoided?Not maximizing the space available to include extra storage, seating, and height of cabinets. Even if you’re a diehard DIYer, hire a professional to assist you in your design – even if it’s just to draw up a plan for you. It will be the best $500 to $1,000 you will spend on your kitchen design.

YASMINE GOODWIN is principal of her award-winning design studio, My Design Studio that offers innovative design solutions to developers, builders, renovators and new homeowners, my-designstudio.com.

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“The budget for this kitchen was $60,000. Working with an extremely large space, wanted to make the kitchen feel warm and inviting,” says Goodwin.

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What are your favourite kitchen colours? I’m attracted to natural grays - the colour of stones and pebbles - with soft whites as the contrasting element, tempered by natural wood tones and textures.

Cabinets in this kitchen are painted in custom colours: gray-white on the upper and base cabinets and the breakfast cabinet and island are medium gray with a black glazed finish.

Where are the best places to splurge and the best places to save on a kitchen reno? Splurge on countertops and backsplashes. They can make a dramatic statement and add functionality. Save on cabinet cost by choosing a door style with a simple profile. The less detail the less expensive the door. For an additional cost reduction choose doors over drawers when possible.

Yasmine’s KITCHEN MUST-HAVES

1. A place to dine and entertainA custom-designed wood bar integrated into the large CaesarStone Misty Carrera quartz countertop on two sides of the island, lends a formal look for dining and entertaining.

2. A spaceous well-equipped prep and clean-up areaAs beautiful as the island is, it’s the main work area in this kitchen outfitted with a deep under-mount sink and Grohe pull-out faucet. The cabinets include a pull-out recycling centre by Richelieu, two dishwashers, a cutlery drawer and a deep storage cupboard under the sink.

3. Top quality appliances and fixturesQuality, energy-star rated appliances not only make cooking enjoyable they’ll save you money and add value to your home. Fixtures like the Grohe pot filler, featured on the marble herringbone backsplash by Saltillo over the Wolf gas cooktop, is a practical and convenient addition.

4. Good quality cabinets and hardwareA modern twist was given to the QTK Kitchen’s traditional style of the cabinetry. The dishwashers and Sub-Zero fridge are integrated into the cabinetry for a clean overall look. Black knobs and pulls look smart on the warm white finishes. Functional inserts by Blum Hardware including a swing-out corner insert that makes good use of an otherwise wasted space, customize the interiors of the cabinets.

TIPSAchitectural details like the Canamould waffle ceiling and the use of 24- by 24-inch porcelain floor tiles in soft gray give the large space a more inviting and intimate feel.

Use LED lighting set on dimmers for interior and under-cabinet lighting, recessed pot lights and accent lights where possible for big energy savings with huge output. Pendants by Union Lighting & Furnishings and stools by Elte.