DESIGN Isabel Clune, Isabel Clune Design
PHOTOGRAPHY Mike Chajecki

In magazines and on our social media feeds, we are seeing designer kitchens with bold cabinet colours, varying tones of wood, and overly detailed millwork. However, the all-white kitchen will always be in style; it’s timeless, elegant, airy and bright!

Many people gravitate towards a white, modern, minimalist, kitchen because it has a calming effect, and it works with their home’s neutral palette. Think: a simple white backsplash and lacquered white cabinets or the traditional beauty of shaker cabinet doors and white subway tile.

Here, Isabel Clune strikes a balance between classic and contemporary, with a fresh take on the all-white kitchen.

Located in the Toronto Beaches area, Isabel’s goal was “to create a bright and airy space that felt both elegant and elevated but also casual and beachy,” she says.

Let’s take a closer look at this beauty!

At first glance, you notice the calm and serene vibe of Isabel’s kitchen design. As you further explore the space, you’ll notice a thoughtful mix of modern and earthy details. The upper cabinets have minimal flat slab doors that are covered with microcement, while the lower drawers and cabinets are finished with applied moulding that is reminiscent of millwork found in a Parisian apartment.

“The surface-applied picture moulding elevates the earthy raw element of the microcement,” says Isabel.

The same applied moulding is beautifully positioned on the Bosch Benchmark French Door Panelled Fridge, as well as the tall pantry doors on the wall opposite the fridge. A beautiful way to conceal storage: “the wall of doors houses a pantry, bar and a coat closet,” says Isabel.

DESIGN TIP: Add special details like hand-painted white backsplash tile, pleated shade pendant lights, or follow Isabel’s lead by adding applied moulding.

Other notable details in Isabel’s design include the demure, off-white ceramic sconces with their opaque glass bulbs and open quartzite shelves for displaying favourite objects.

One of my favourite features in the kitchen is the quartzite island. From the public side, the island looks like a clean and sculptural polished block of marble with a soft and flowing grey-white pattern. The work side of the island has plenty of drawers for storage, but the clean design gives the space openness and flow.

The layout of the kitchen further enhances the flow. The fridge and back door bookend the kitchen. The Bosch Benchmark 30” Single Wall Oven is centred between two banks of large identical 30-inch wide drawers to create balance and symmetry — and a major focal point. Above the oven, the Bosch 800 Series 30” Gas Cooktop, takes center stage. The sink is similarly centred beneath the large picture window and flanked by two 24-inch doors. One is a cabinet for the recycling and garbage; the other conceals the 24-inch panel ready Bosch Benchmark dishwasher. Panelled appliances keep the kitchen looking clean and cohesive without any visual breaks.

DESIGNER TIP: Consider deep drawers for easy and ergonomic access to dishes and large pots and pans.

What differentiates today’s white kitchen from white kitchens of the past are the unexpected design details. Traditional white kitchens often have brass knobs and cup pulls—a charming and classic look. The unexpected handless cabinet doors in Isabel’s design, however, allow the applied moulding on the cabinet doors to become a subtle yet striking architectural feature that’s also functional.

“We chose 45-degree knife edge integrated fingers pulls. We wanted the millwork to stand out—especially the surface applied moulding—to keep the design feeling modern and minimal,” says Isabel.

The wide plank engineered white oak floors—the kind you would see in a French farmhouse and homes with a beachy aesthetic—are another unique design detail. The light tone of the wood and subtle knotting balance the traditional moulding and warm up the white walls and cabinets, giving the space an overall relaxed vibe. Of course, there are many ways to add character.

Consider a patterned floor or backsplash tile, hanging a map or a large piece of art from your last vacation. I find that the best unexpected delights speak to the style and history of the people who live there.

Happy decorating and designing!

Sam