Soulful Sanctuary
When you walk into a kitchen and feel at home, you know you are standing in a soulful kitchen. It is a gathering place that exudes energy, hospitality, comfort and security. The overall feel is crucial to the quality of the experience of cooking, eating and communing. A well-designed kitchen should embody this type of sanctuary and reflect the energy of its owner.
When homeowner Irene Pedersen engaged her sister of Maria Nordlund Design to help her create her dream kitchen, Nordlund knew it had to be a space that was filled with soul. The pair are originally from Greece, and they both have a strong passion for creating: Nordlund is an interior designer based out of the interior of British Columbia, and Pedersen is an artist. Their Greek heritage plays an important role in both of their lives and shines through in their creativity. Greek people are friendly, open and warm-hearted, and these are characteristics Nordlund wanted to incorporate into Pedersen’s kitchen.
The home is located on the top of a wooded mountain overlooking Penticton, B.C. Although it is a new build, Nordlund incorporated many traditional elements to create a timeless farmhouse style. Pedersen wanted a traditional kitchen with an old-school hearth, which includes a cookstove and a gas range. She is a passionate cook with an appreciation for organic and locally grown foods. Nordlund took this into account when creating the space to highlight her Greek heritage and cultivate a soulful feel. She made the hearth the focal point where family and friends gather around to share meals.
The combination of elegance and character in this kitchen is an accurate representation of Pedersen’s unique personality. She is a visual artist who enjoys finding antique treasures at vintage stores. Pedersen found the leaded windows that were incorporated into the cabinet design, and the use of an antique armoire for her many sets of dishes adds a classic country house character to the kitchen.
Distinct elements like the raised panel knotty alder cabinet fronts, honed marble counters with brass fittings and a classic crystal chandelier come together to create this kitchen’s soul. Rather than an island, Pedersen opted for a large harvest table for a work surface and storage beneath. Copper pots, vintage cookware and handmade pottery all radiate Pedersen’s eclectic, warm personality. Nordlund drew this out in her carefully curated selection of accessories. She placed pieces of Pedersen’s own art throughout the home to add a personal feel and artistic flair.
A great way to create an inviting feel in the kitchen is to use warm tones. For example, warm metals like gold, brass, and bronze can infuse a soulful character into any space. Incorporating accessories is the finishing touch which brings a space together; vintage accents can be displayed to add detail, because a new kitchen can still include traditional accents. Details like hand-painted urns are intriguing and unique. Nordlund took special care with arranging Pedersen’s various pieces throughout the kitchen.
Design is the process of peeling away the layers of a space, honouring the architecture and carefully adding elements. It is not about the size of the budget, but about the synthesis of every element. Essential aspects to keep in mind when designing a kitchen include function, balance, contrast, natural light and the use of authentic materials. The cohesion of all these aspects in the space should result in a holistic and soulful kitchen. The process of weaving everything together into a harmonious space is truly an art form. A space like this should serve as a sanctuary that reflects its homeowner and welcomes its guests—a sanctuary like the one Pederson and Nordlund created in this beautiful kitchen.
