“The vision was to create a comfortable and relaxed environment in a lake house cottage kitchen and a setting embracing the surrounding nature”

When Kimberly Bricker planned the kitchen for her new lakeside home, she envisioned a modern farmhouse style with a cottage ambiance, reflecting the surrounding natural environment of water and woods. Though not a designer, as photographer for GCW Custom Kitchens she had seen numerous kitchens and incorporated features she admired into her own project.

GCW designer Jen Gilmore assisted but stresses that the style choices, from colours to cabinets, were Bricker’s. “She was focused and knew what roads she was going down. I was more of a sounding board and someone paying attention to technical elements, like space management, construction and installation.”

A countryside atmosphere was created by using neutral “lake and wood” colours. This included dark wood on the cathedral ceiling, slate tile flooring complemented by black stainless-steel appliances. Shades of brown and grey were incorporated in the countertops and in the brick-pattern backsplash.

An oversized farmhouse sink, matte-finish leathered granite and antique seedy glass in the cabinet doors and on the light fixtures, which also sport oil-rubbed bronze hardware, further add to the ambiance. The white cabinets were given a rustic distressed finish and burnished to bring out subtle shading, a process Bricker describes as “incredible workmanship, all done by hand, so each cupboard is completely unique.”

Local wood was used to fashion the timber trusses that support the ceiling and echo a full wall of windows overlooking the lake. The same wood was used to wrap the range hood.

Bricker chose to have drawers, rather than cupboards, in the lower cabinets for easier accessibility. These incorporate several features she particularly appreciates, including a convenient spice drawer, a pull-out knife block, a bread box compartment and a deep liquor cubicle beneath a small X-shaped wine rack.

Designer Bio

Jen Gilmore has been a designer with GCW Custom Kitchens since 2004. She takes pride in creating technically accurate, customer-focused designs. She believes the beauty of design follows a precise plan, and she works with GCW artisans to deliver that in fulfilling the clients’ vision.