I clicked over to Food Network Canada yesterday morning and Chef Michael’s Kitchen was on. Michael Smith is an honours graduate of the Culinary Institute of America in New York City and is Prince Edward Island’s official food ambassador. But I had no idea what he was cooking – it was his unique and colourful kitchen that grabbed my attention.
All the cabinetry was designed and built by GCW Custom Kitchens & Cabinetry Inc. in Ontario. Michael selected the beautiful marine blue to pay homage to the waters surrounding PEI.
The open storage is both pretty and practical. Dishes and ingredients are easy to spot and access, and the labels and cookware add pops of colour around the room.
The stainless steel clean-up area is a touch of industrial in the rustic kitchen.
The wrought iron pot hanger above the sink is a wonderful work of art. It represents the pastoral beauty of PEI, and was forged by local artist William Dowling.
At the opposite end of the spectrum is this work area with a two-burner induction cooktop. And how about that knife block?! The frame of the cabinet is walnut and the drawer fronts are reclaimed barn board. It’s my favourite feature in the kitchen – I love the rustic look and the warmth of the wood.
The pantry is open and clad with wood from crates of Michael’s favourite wines. Such a whimsical and creative idea.
Probably not a kitchen for someone who doesn’t like open shelving, but perfect for a cook who likes to have everything close at hand.
I highly recommend checking out the video tour of Michaels’ kitchen. He shows and describes all of the amazing details that went into his kitchen – you could incorporate lots of them into your own kitchen :-) Click here or click the image below to watch the video.
In a design world where white kitchens are the norm, Michael Smith’s colourful rustic kitchen is a nice change of pace. What do you think – would you have a colourful kitchen in your home?
Images via Food Network Canada, Chef Michael Smith, and GCW Custom Kitchens & Cabinetry Inc.
