The problem:

The kitchen in Shirley Wolfe's Calgary home was functional but dated, overwhelmed by an expanse of dark cabinets and tired appliances. Although the windowless room was blessed with two skylights, they were obscured by the original sunshine ceiling construction, typically used to cover fluorescent lights in the 1970s. The kitchen, which was original to the avant-garde house designed by J.H. Cook and Associates in 1960, did have some assets that SHirley wanted to preserve, such as rosewood doors, a large pantry (which was left untouched) and teak cabinets.

The solution:

Shirley sought help from her daughter-in-law, Elaine Wolfe, a Calgary interior designer and owner of Elements Interior Design. Elaine uncovered the skylights and fitted them with new light fixtures that illuminate the new central work space and island, conveniently outfitted with a small under mounted sink. The island was built a relatively low 33 inches high to provide a comfortable height for baking and keep from virtually cutting into the 15-by-16-foot room. At the far end of the island, a swing-out table provides a place for lunch or a quick snack, and pivots neatly out of the way when not in use.

The designer chose textured glass doors for the upper cabinets and had the lower units custom lacquered to match the grey walls. A resin and mineral compound that mimics stone was used for the counters.