When a kitchen is more than just a place to cook, it becomes the true heart of the home. For our clients in Woodbridge, ON, their goal was a complete transformation—a space that balanced high-drama aesthetics with everyday family functionality. This project, completed in early 2025, showcases how bold choices can create a warm and inviting atmosphere. We integrated a stunning combination of veneer stain with a black MDF spray-painted hood, a commanding black island, and elegant herringbone engineered floors. The final touch? A custom arch door with black trim and glass leading to a spacious walk-in pantry.
Quick Facts
- Location: Woodbridge, ON
- Scope of Work: Full gut kitchen renovation, including structural changes for a new pantry, new flooring, custom cabinetry, electrical, and plumbing.
- Key Features: Two-tone cabinetry (wood veneer and painted MDF), custom-fabricated range hood, quartz countertops, walk-in pantry with arched glass door, herringbone engineered hardwood flooring.
- Duration: 3-4 weeks
Design Vision: Sophisticated Contrast and Timeless Functionality
The original kitchen was a standard builder-grade space that felt disconnected from the homeowners’ modern style. The layout was inefficient, and storage was a constant challenge. The vision was to create a bespoke, European-inspired kitchen that felt both luxurious and livable.
The core concept revolved around a powerful play of contrasts. We wanted to balance the organic warmth of natural wood with the sleek, graphic intensity of matte black. This duality informed every major decision:
- Warmth and Texture: Rift-cut white oak veneer was chosen for the perimeter cabinets to bring in natural grain and a sense of calm. This was paired with a wide-plank herringbone engineered floor to create a rich, textured foundation for the room.
- Drama and Definition: A large central island and a striking custom range hood, both finished in a durable, spray-painted matte black MDF, serve as the dramatic anchors of the space. This bold choice grounds the design and provides a modern edge.
- Architectural Interest: To soften the clean lines and add a touch of timeless elegance, we designed a custom arch door with black trim and reeded glass for the new walk-in pantry. This feature transforms a purely functional element into a beautiful focal point.
The goal was to craft a space that wouldn’t just follow a trend but would stand as a testament to thoughtful design, tailored specifically to how this Woodbridge family lives, cooks, and gathers.
Materials & Specifications: A Technical Deep-Dive
Achieving this level of custom detail requires a precise selection of materials and adherence to the highest building standards. Here’s a breakdown of the key components that brought this kitchen to life.
Cabinetry: Veneer and MDF
The two-tone effect was achieved using two distinct materials:
- Rift-Cut White Oak Veneer: Used for the perimeter cabinetry, this material provides the consistent, straight grain pattern of high-end custom millwork without the prohibitive cost or potential warping of solid wood. The veneer was applied to a stable plywood core and finished with a custom stain and a durable, low-sheen clear coat to protect it from the rigors of kitchen use.
- Moisture-Resistant MDF (Medium-Density Fiberboard): The island and custom range hood were fabricated from high-quality, moisture-resistant MDF. This material is the ideal substrate for a painted finish because it’s incredibly stable, won’t expand or contract with humidity changes, and has no wood grain to telegraph through the paint. The components were professionally spray-painted with a pigmented, catalyzed lacquer in a matte black for a flawless, furniture-grade finish that is both beautiful and easy to clean.
Custom Range Hood
The monolithic range hood is more than a design element; it’s a high-performance appliance housing. We fabricated the shell from MDF and integrated a powerful, high-CFM (Cubic Feet per Minute) ventilation insert. In compliance with the Ontario Building Code (OBC), projects with high-powered exhaust fans often require a makeup air system to ensure the home’s pressure remains balanced and combustion appliances vent properly. We worked with an HVAC specialist to ensure the entire system was safe, efficient, and code-compliant.
Flooring: Herringbone Engineered Hardwood
The choice of flooring was critical. We selected a 7.5-inch wide plank engineered white oak hardwood.
- Engineered Construction: Unlike solid hardwood, engineered flooring consists of a top layer of real wood (the wear layer) bonded to multiple layers of plywood. This cross-layered construction makes it exceptionally stable, minimizing expansion and contraction caused by the seasonal humidity swings common in Ontario. This makes it a superior choice for kitchens.
- Herringbone Pattern: Installing a herringbone pattern is a meticulous process that requires expert craftsmanship. Each board must be cut and laid precisely. The result is a dynamic, visually stunning floor that elevates the entire room.
Pantry Door: Arched Glass and Steel
The walk-in pantry door was custom-fabricated to be a showpiece. The frame was built with solid poplar for its stability and smooth painting surface, then sprayed to match the black MDF elements. We specified tempered, reeded glass for the insert. This fluted glass offers a degree of obscurity, hiding the pantry’s contents while allowing light to pass through, adding texture and a hint of art deco elegance.
Electrical and Lighting
A kitchen renovation is an opportune time to upgrade electrical systems to meet modern needs and the Ontario Electrical Safety Code. The plan included:
- Dedicated Circuits: New 20-amp dedicated circuits for the refrigerator, dishwasher, and microwave, as required by code.
- GFCI Protection: All outlets within 1.5 meters of the sink were replaced with Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) receptacles for safety.
- Layered Lighting:
- Ambient: Dimmable LED pot lights were strategically placed for overall illumination.
- Task: Under-cabinet LED strip lighting provides bright, direct light on the countertops for food prep.
- Accent: Two large, sculptural pendants were installed over the black island to create a focal point and intimate lighting for dining and conversation.
Process & Timeline: A Four-Week Transformation
A project of this complexity requires meticulous planning and coordination. The entire renovation was completed within a tight 3-4 week timeframe.
-
Week 1: Demolition and Rough-ins. The first week was dedicated to carefully demolishing the old kitchen. Our licensed electricians and plumbers then arrived to re-route wiring and plumbing to accommodate the new layout, including running power to the island for outlets and installing new pot light housings. This is also when we framed the new walk-in pantry. All rough-in work was inspected to ensure it met municipal and provincial codes.
-
Week 2: Surfaces and Prep. With the “bones” of the kitchen in place, the focus shifted to surfaces. New drywall was installed, taped, and mudded. The highlight of the week was the installation of the herringbone engineered floor by our flooring specialists. Once the floor was in, the walls and ceiling received their first coat of primer.
-
Week 3: Cabinetry and Countertops. This is when the vision truly began to take shape. The custom-built cabinet boxes were delivered and expertly installed, followed by the dramatic black island and range hood. Near the end of the week, our countertop partners came to create a precise digital template of the installed cabinets. The quartz countertops were then fabricated off-site and installed within a few days.
-
Week 4: The Finishing Touches. The final week was a whirlwind of detail work. The backsplash was tiled, the sink and faucet were installed by our plumber, and the electrician returned to install all the light fixtures, switches, and outlets. The appliances were delivered and connected. Finally, the stunning arched pantry door was hung, and our painters completed all the final touch-ups before a professional cleaning crew prepared the space for the homeowners.
The Final Look
Stepping into the completed kitchen is a multi-sensory experience. The eye is immediately drawn to the commanding black island, its smooth, matte surface contrasting beautifully with the rich, linear grain of the surrounding white oak cabinets. The herringbone floor guides you through the space, its pattern adding a subtle energy and sophistication.
Overhead, the custom black hood acts as a sculptural element, perfectly balanced by the delicate pendants that cast a warm glow on the island below. But perhaps the most charming detail is the arched pantry door. The reeded glass catches the light, offering a tantalizing glimpse of the organized space within while adding a soft, architectural curve that breaks up the clean geometry of the room. It’s a space that is at once dramatic and calming, perfectly suited for both a quiet morning coffee and a bustling family gathering.
Design Takeaways for Your Renovation
This Woodbridge kitchen project offers several key insights for any homeowner planning a renovation:
- Embrace High Contrast: Don’t be afraid to mix light, natural materials with dark, dramatic accents. The tension between the wood veneer and the black MDF is what gives this kitchen its signature character.
- Function Can Be Beautiful: A walk-in pantry is a practical powerhouse. By treating its entrance as a design feature with a custom arched door, it becomes a beautiful focal point rather than just a door.
- Invest in the Foundation: The herringbone floor required more labour and material than a standard plank installation, but it fundamentally defines the room’s character and adds immense perceived value.
- Customization is Key: Elements like the custom-fabricated range hood and pantry door are what separate a good kitchen from a great one. They ensure the space is uniquely yours. If you’re considering a custom kitchen design, we can help you explore the possibilities during a free quote and consultation.
Maintenance Tips
To keep this kitchen looking its best for years to come, we provided the homeowners with these care instructions:
- Veneer and Painted MDF Cabinets: Clean with a soft, damp microfiber cloth and a mild, non-abrasive cleaner. Wipe dry immediately. For the painted surfaces, be mindful of sharp objects that can cause chips; a touch-up kit is essential.
- Engineered Hardwood Floors: Use a vacuum with a soft brush head or a dry microfiber mop for regular cleaning. For deeper cleans, use a pH-neutral cleaner specifically designed for hardwood. Wipe up any spills immediately to prevent moisture from penetrating the seams.
- Quartz Countertops: Clean daily with soap and water or a gentle all-purpose cleaner. While highly stain-resistant, wipe up spills like wine or coffee promptly. Always use trivets for hot pots and cutting boards for knives.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does a custom range hood affect ventilation planning in an Ontario home? A custom hood requires careful planning. The primary consideration is the power of the fan insert, measured in CFM. The Ontario Building Code has specific requirements for ventilation. For high-CFM fans (typically over 600 CFM), a makeup air system is often required to replace the exhausted air, preventing negative pressure in the house. We work with certified HVAC technicians to design a system that is both effective and fully code-compliant.
Is engineered hardwood a good choice for a kitchen in Woodbridge, given the humidity changes? Absolutely. In fact, it’s often a better choice than solid hardwood for kitchens in our climate. The cross-ply construction of engineered wood makes it far more dimensionally stable, so it resists the cupping, gapping, and warping that can occur with the humidity fluctuations between our cold, dry winters and warm, humid summers.
What’s involved in adding a walk-in pantry to an existing kitchen layout? Adding a walk-in pantry typically involves “borrowing” space from an adjacent room, closet, or underutilized corner. The process includes framing new walls, running electrical for lighting and potentially outlets, installing drywall, and fitting a door. It requires careful planning to ensure it integrates seamlessly with the kitchen’s workflow and doesn’t create awkward traffic patterns.
Ready to transform your own kitchen into a space that is both stunning and perfectly functional? We’d love to hear about your vision. Contact us today for a free, no-obligation quote and let’s start planning your dream renovation.