Our Kitchen

4. Natural selection. The heart of this Dallas kitchen is the island-breakfast bar, which features rich materials and a double waterfall structure. The raised breakfast bar is made of warm walnut, while the island top is white marble with gray veining. Homeowner and builder Chris Dauwe covered the space beneath the breakfast bar in reclaimed wood, sourced from a barn in North Carolina. Using natural-looking materials helped Dauwe achieve his goal of “a contemporary home with an industrial twist,” he says. Island and kitchen countertops: Mountain White marble; leather stools: Halo Styles

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8. Pretty and practical. For designer Sarah St. Amand’s own kitchen in Toronto, she selected a stunning quartz for the countertops and backsplash. “I knew I wanted to mimic marble, but marble isn’t the best choice for busy people and families in their kitchens because it’s porous and stains easily.” The quartz she selected gives her the best of both worlds.

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Hanging rod. Hanging shirts fresh from the dryer helps prevent wrinkling. Make it easier to tackle this little laundry chore by installing a sturdy rod above a counter, or over the washer and dryer. Keep a set of matching hangers at the ready.

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Must-HavesHand wash basket or tote. Laundry that needs to be hand washed, or has an area that requires special treatment, deserves a dedicated spot. Choose a smaller laundry basket, wire bin or cloth tote bag to earmark for this purpose.

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