Baby It’s Cold Outside!

Winter entertaining in Canada often revolves around creating cozy and comfy spaces where family and friends can unwind and enjoy the colder months indoors together. Hosting board games, movie nights or family-style meals are always crowd pleasers, and having a well-designed, functional space for these activities enhances the enjoyable experience for both guests and host alike. With our long winters, many of us are drawn to warm fireplaces, large windows offering views of snowy landscapes (and much needed Vitamin D!), or cozy, dimly lit settings that invite conversation and relaxation. Design plays a pivotal role in making these spaces in our homes inviting and highly functional with comfortable furniture, layered textiles, and plenty of warm-toned lighting to offset the dark, gloomy days. Creating cozy nooks with pillows, wools and flannel (+ a good book) gets us an inspiring start to the ultimate winter retreat – right at home.

 Warm Up (featuring Furry Friends)

Warm wood tones juxtaposed with darker elements featuring hits of light and bright make for the perfect combination in a kitchen – ready to invite guests, whether they are two-legged or four. Wood elements offer texture, interest and a touch of the outdoors brought in. Leaning into darker hues in beams and millwork offers a sense of elegance and moodiness while light and bright counters bring a feeling of airiness. Carrying your countertop up the wall in lieu of a traditional tiled backsplash creates a beautiful yet extra-low maintenance backdrop and waterfall edges on islands continue in popularity thanks to its striking look and practicality. With more time being spent inside during these months, you’ll also want to ensure you have ample comfortable seating for visitors to gather while hearty meals are being prepared. Brass elements, whether they are in the form of plumbing and lighting fixtures, hardware or decor are here to stay (especially when peppering in vintage pieces), and this classic finish creates interest, elegance and warmth in any space. If you are looking to try adding some pieces into your home, consider starting out with some simple hardware swaps. This can make a large impact with very little commitment.

Black to Black

For a moodier vibe, we love to pair darker hued millwork with black appliances to create a streamlined and sophisticated look that is both bold and timeless. The dark tones of cabinetry and appliances work together to create a cohesive and dramatic look that stands out in any space, and is an adventurous design direction to have fun developing. This colour of millwork exudes elegance and luxury, but to ensure darker hued cabinetry and appliances warm and inviting, mix in curated warm brass elements paired with wood and other natural materials like leather and rattan.

 Concealed Storage

Concealed storage in a hard working kitchen is especially important during the winter months, as it helps maintain an organized and clutter-free space during the busiest hosting season of the year. Custom pantries can be designed to utilize every inch of space, from floor to ceiling, to keep essential items such as spices, baking supplies, and small appliances out of sight while ensuring easy access when needed. With more family members spending time indoors, concealed storage also will help prevent countertops from becoming overcrowded, allowing for a more functional cooking area. A well-designed kitchen never fails to create a warm, efficient, and inviting atmosphere for preparing (and enjoying!) meals and more, so if you are embarking on a renovation or a new build journey, this area is a top priority to place valuable time and investment into.

Entertaining Spaces

A highly functional bar area is especially lovely in a family entertaining space during the winter months, as it not only serves as a central hub for socializing but also ensures practicality and convenience. Adequate storage is key, allowing for easy access to glassware, spirits, and snacks, while keeping everything organized and accessible for easy entertaining. The inclusion of a sink with a complementary faucet and panel-ready dishwasher (to ensure the aesthetic is not disrupted) is ideal for quick cleanup, making it easier to maintain a tidy space and allowing hosts to spend more time with guests rather than focusing on clean up. Natural light, when prioritized and incorporated into the design, creates a warm and inviting ambiance that enhances the cozy atmosphere during the shorter, darker days. Together, these features create an entertaining space that is both FUN-ctional and enjoyable, elevating the overall experience of family gatherings and winter celebrations so consider these additions for your design wish list.

Birchview Design is an award-winning interior design team serving clientele in the Kawartha Lakes, GTA, and beyond. As a full-service studio, the firm offers an all-inclusive, simplified experience with elevated design expertise and project management.

www.birchviewdesign.com / @birchviewdesign

Contractor Partner: Glenwood Construction  www.glenwoodconstruction.ca

Photography: Ashley Adams @flash.adams