Aeon Design’s Playful Take on the Contemporary Kitchen
In the city’s East End, a 375-square-foot kitchen makes a larger-than-life statement with bold lavender cabinetry
Aeon Design founding principal Sacha Lee was thrilled when she first heard about her clients’ desire for a colourful, eclectic kitchen. A testament to their bold tastes, the homeowners had one clear request: no white or wood kitchen. For Lee, this was a rare opportunity to dive into a vibrant design palette and explore unconventional ideas. “How many opportunities do I get to work with colour like this?” she recalls. The result is a stunning lavender kitchen that perfectly balances modern functionality, natural materials and the clients’ unique vision.
The lavender kitchen draws inspiration from the clean lines of all-white minimalism but introduces an extra layer of warmth with colour, natural elements and pared-back furniture, creating a balanced yet elevated design. Bar stools, hollis+morris.
Both avid gardeners, the homeowners wanted a design that would integrate natural elements, which led Lee to draw inspiration from her own garden, filled with sage greens and lavender tones. “Lavender is a more unexpected choice,” says Lee. “But our clients fell in love with this version. They described it as both bright and cozy.”
To balance the vibrant lavender cabinetry, natural materials were incorporated, including birch, white oak, and veined quartz countertops, which introduced organic elements into the design. “We didn’t want to tone down the lavender,” she says. The final palette works surprisingly well alongside clean lines and a symmetrical scheme.
Sink, Aquabrass faucet, Robinson; countertop, Caesarstone.
Cabinet hardware, JRD Supply.
A gallery wall emphasizes the banquette’s curated look.
A vintage dining table, chairs and pendant play further into the merging of traditional and modern design elements.
The statement-making cabinet paint hue is Lavender Mist by Benjamin Moore.
One of the standout features of this project is the built-in dining banquette. With the century-old house’s narrow floor plate in the dining area, the banquette became a functional necessity, allowing for more room while preserving the flow to the adjoining sunroom. By integrating the dining and kitchen spaces, Aeon Design emphasized the importance of storage and created a cohesive layout where the kitchen is the true heart of the home.
Additionally, the kitchen boasts creative solutions to common small-space challenges, including a recessed full-depth fridge and hidden mechanical chases behind the cabinetry to maintain a seamless look. “We eliminated bulkheads throughout the ground floor,” says Lee, “which is always something we work hard at. These details allow smaller kitchens to feel bigger than they are.”
Aeon Design studio principal Sacha Lee.
The design reflects Aeon Design’s overarching ethos of creating spaces that are tailored, timeless, and thoughtful. The lavender kitchen perfectly embodies these principles, marrying bold choices with a clean, contemporary aesthetic. “We focus on what are the need-to-haves, the nice-to-haves, and the non-negotiables,” Lee explains, noting that for these clients, the island and ample storage were essential. Every detail of the kitchen was designed to enhance functionality and beauty, ensuring that the space would stand the test of time.
For Lee, this project is more than just a unique kitchen—it’s an example of how colour can transform a space and challenge traditional norms. “I hope I get more lavender kitchens in the future,” she says with a laugh. Given the growing trend toward bright and bold design choices, it seems likely that she will.