PREAMBLE & PHOTOS BY CHRIS TIESSEN
When Jason Kennedy and his partner purchased a stately Georgian-style home in Guelph’s coveted Exhibition Park neighbourhood, it was the building’s historic charm that drew them in. But one room didn’t quite measure up: the kitchen. Though its modest size suited the couple just fine, the space lacked storage, comfort, and flow. It was far from the inviting, functional hub they envisioned.
To bring it up to standard, they partnered with Elora-based design-build firm Xanadu Homes: Fine Cabinetry & Interiors to create a space that honoured the home’s century-old character while embracing modern functionality. The result is a seamless blend of past and present: coffered wood-paneled walls, richly glazed green ceramic tiles, a hidden fridge, custom glass-front cabinets, brass fixtures, and a sleek integrated range hood.
Today, the kitchen is more than just practical – it’s a sanctuary. It’s where mornings begin over coffee and the paper, where meals are cooked and shared with friends and family, and where quiet evenings unfold in the warm glow of thoughtful design.
The Highlight Reel:
- Checkerboard floor, wood panels, ceramic tiles, and metal accents come together to create a kitchen that feels both modern and timeless.
- A custom vent hood crafted from cherry wood and finished in Xanadu’s ‘Fumed Oak’ stain serves as a central focal point.
- Open sightlines from the kitchen into the living room add drama and amplify the sense of space.
- Deep teal Art Deco-inspired tiles ground the bold backsplash and feature wall.
- A thoughtfully-placed coffee nook with hanging light anchors the kitchen: practical, stylish, and inviting.
- Smart, discreet gestures – including a lit glassware cabinet, appliance garage, and hidden fridge – keep the space as beautiful as it is functional.
- Cherry wood paneling echoes the original paneling in the adjacent dining room and ties the kitchen to the home’s heritage.
