Welcome back! Check out this tranquil, modern and nature-inspired kitchen designed by Zoé Grenier of Maison Fauves (maisonfauves.com)

Calming, peaceful and totally nuanced, this kitchen keeps revealing delightful details the more you look at it. I love that Zoe’s design is fresh with on-trend details that will also stand the test of time. If you’re looking for modern and nature-inspired kitchen ideas, let’s take a closer look at this beauty.

In today’s world of screens and tech, bringing nature into our homes gives us a sense of peace, well-being and connection. When I asked Zoé about her inspiration, she explained that her goal was to “highlight natural materials, including the cherry wood cabinetry, natural stone backsplash and stainless steel”. The Ceppo di Gre backsplash and counters give the space an Italian lakeside vibe, while the varying shades of sand, silver and grey connect to the floors, cabinets and finishes.

The greige of the cabinets beside the stainless steel French door refrigerator, as well as the colour of the walls, were drawn directly from the stone backsplash. Additionally, the cabinets blend with the Bosch 800s Series 36-inch built-in fridge, making a seamless colour transition. The built-in fridge is flush with the cabinets creating a sleek, integrated look. Zoé chose to forgo installing upper cabinets or open shelves to allow the backsplash to quietly sing, as well as “to keep the lines of the kitchen clean and modern and to accentuate the height of the room,” she says.

Designer Tip: Choose a unifying material such as the Ceppo di Gre backsplash and counters to connect with your kitchen palette and finishes.

It’s no surprise that with our deep desire for wellness, serenity and connection to nature, wood cabinetry has returned to the world of decorating and design in a big way. Wood adds warmth, texture, and an organic touch to a kitchen. Notice how the floors and cabinets are not an exact match, which adds another layer of depth. Shades of the cherry wood cabinetry can be found in the lighter maple floor. But in the same way that different species grow side-by-side in the forest, so too can you mix wood of varying grains and tones. My advice is to avoid mixing high contrast wood tones with too many other wood colours. Aim for one or two wood tones for fixed and big-ticket design elements, such as floors, cabinets and counters. Then, you can follow Zoé’s lead and layer in lighter (or darker) wood accessories such as maple or olive wood cutting boards and utensils.

Designer Tip: Play with wood details. Notice the curved Art Deco-inspired corners of the wood cabinets. But also consider on-trend details like reeding and fluting.

Classic stainless steel and polished chrome finishes have also made a big comeback in kitchen fixture and hardware finishes. In conversation, Zoé reminded me that stainless steel is a natural material. It’s also sustainable and recyclable.

For a while, we were all about antique brass, gold and bronze, but I still love a mix of metals, especially warm metals that help to connect a kitchen to the other living spaces.

As an aside, designers moved away from all stainless steel finishes in kitchens (think: stainless steel shelves, islands, countertops and hardware) because all-cool finishes felt flat, austere and sterile as though at any moment an operation was about to be performed.

This is definitely not the case in Zoé’s inviting design. Her use of polished chrome adds shine, sparkle and quiet luxury to the grained cabinetry and variegated wood floors. The stainless steel fridge and range, paired with the polished chrome cabinet hardware and faucet, are still a mix of metals. However, the mix is subtle and sophisticated. Also notice that Zoé’s use of polished chrome hardware is uncluttered. There are only three large pulls: one on the wine fridge, the other on the Bosch 800 Series 24-inch panelled dishwasher, and finally one on the cabinet containing the recycling, compost and trash. Two simple demure knobs adorn the tower cabinet. The handless wood drawers on either side of the range keep the space looking clean and calm.

Designer Tip: Too many cabinet knobs can overwhelm a kitchen. Follow Zoé’s lead and use hardware purposefully and sparingly. Drawers and doors without hardware have a modern, minimal aesthetic, allowing wood grains or other cabinetry details to shine and elevating the overall look of your kitchen.

My favourite aspect of any design are the nuanced and unexpected design choices. Often designers will choose one unexpected element—such as a giant red pendant fixture or playful piece of art. But in this relaxing kitchen, there isn’t just one hero. All the players are working together in harmony. The large stainless steel apron sink references the appliances and hardware; and, adds a timeless design element to the kitchen. The floor-to-ceiling open shelves, with their rounded edges, have an Art Deco vibe. Plus, they provide the perfect spot to display and store items that are functional and beautiful such as salad bowls, vases, and cookbooks. The fluted glass of the tower cabinet is a Deco detail, but it’s only used once in the room to add texture and interest. The milk-glass globes of the light fixture are another subtle Art Deco nod, while their shapes echo the circular patterning of the counter and backsplash stone.

Designer Tip: To create a layered space with depth and delight, choose materials that work together but don’t feel matched. And always add something a little unexpected!

Happy Decorating and Designing!