Grand Prize Winner - PUREDesign Inc.
Located in Vancouver’s Mount Pleasant neighbourhood, this 330 square foot family kitchen was designed for a young family who envisioned a bright and joyful space filled with personality. The goal was to create an open and connected layout that links the kitchen with the living and dining areas, while providing generous counter space, thoughtful storage, and a playful yet refined aesthetic.
The design draws inspiration from Danish minimalism. Clean lines and functional simplicity are paired with bold, expressive colour. Relocating the kitchen to the back of the house presented a planning challenge due to the long and narrow floor plan. Careful circulation planning and storage optimization allowed the space to feel open, calm, and balanced. A twelve foot island serves as the centrepiece, offering ample workspace and anchoring the layout with strength and clarity.
A custom palette of sunny yellow, creamy white, natural oak, rich green, and soft pink brings depth and energy to the room. Tofino style doors finished in a custom yellow paint are framed with white oak to introduce warmth and contrast. A tall appliance cabinet keeps clutter out of sight while remaining easily accessible. Soft curves flow throughout the space, from the half-arched colour blocked pantry and custom hood fan to the rounded island corners and half round wooden hardware.
Merit Kitchens translated the design vision into reality with custom finishes and integrated drawer organization that support the family’s daily rhythm. The result is a sunlit and modern kitchen that feels fresh, efficient, and deeply personal. It is a space designed for real family life, filled with movement, colour, and character, and crafted to evolve beautifully with the growing household.
BEST KITCHEN, CANADA - Apchin Design + Build
Designed for a luxury ski chalet at Big White Ski Resort near Kelowna, this kitchen serves as the social heart of a 6,473 square foot home that hosts up to twenty guests. The client wanted a warm and expansive space ideal for entertaining, equipped with extensive counter surfaces, dual sinks and dishwashers, multiple ovens, wine fridges, an ice maker, a full refrigerator, and a separate pantry with additional cold storage and shelving. The challenge was to deliver a modern and highly functional kitchen that integrates seamlessly into a rustic architectural setting defined by stained pine ceilings and custom re sawn fir board walls.
The chalet’s interior uses no drywall, which presented a unique mechanical challenge. With no walls available to conceal HVAC ducting, the team designed two floor to ceiling cabinet towers with false doors and finished gables flanking the bar. These towers discreetly encase the ductwork while maintaining the uninterrupted thirty three foot north wall of cabinetry. This solution preserved the open flow from the kitchen to the dining area, the two story living room with a full height rock fireplace, and the surrounding decks with panoramic views of the Monashee Mountains.
Functionality and hospitality guided the layout. The bar area features two under counter wine coolers and a striking two foot by sixteen foot live edge fir bar top equipped with integrated power. A dedicated appliance garage organizes small appliances with a Richelieu tambour door. The cooktop includes a concealed downdraft vent supported by custom cabinetry detailing. Open niches with thick shelves framed by finished gables allow the backsplash to shine and add visual rhythm.
Merit Kitchens’ Whistler oak cabinetry in a deep black stain ties the entire home together, appearing in the kitchen, pantry, bar, vanities, and bedroom armoires. The result is a sophisticated and cohesive environment that blends rustic warmth with contemporary luxury.
BEST KITCHEN, INTERNATIONAL - Santa Tsusho
This project was designed for a family of three who wanted a kitchen centered around connection and shared experience. The primary objective was to create a large island that could support both everyday family life and cooking classes that bring groups together. The island became the anchor of the space, offering generous surface area for prep, teaching, and communal cooking.
The design prioritizes openness, comfort, and a sense of welcome. The layout supports efficient movement during busy cooking sessions while remaining warm and inviting during quiet family moments. Clear sight lines and an intuitive workflow make the space equally suited for professional style demonstrations and casual meals.
Beyond the kitchen, the project included two bathrooms designed with a consistent cabinetry approach. Matching finishes and thoughtful detailing create a unified aesthetic throughout the home, reinforcing a modern yet approachable character. This continuity strengthens the project’s design identity by allowing each room to feel connected while still serving its specific function.
Merit Kitchens cabinetry played an essential role in achieving this unified vision. Flexible configurations allowed the designer to create storage that supports both everyday household use and the practical needs of teaching environments. Quality finishes and precise construction ensure durability in a space that sees high activity and frequent gatherings.
The final result is a kitchen that brings people together. It balances the ease of daily living with the capacity to host collaborative culinary experiences. The surrounding rooms continue this spirit of cohesiveness, all working together to create a home that is functional, modern, and welcoming.
BEST KITCHEN STORAGE - Final Draft Cabinetry
This 270 square foot kitchen in East Vancouver was designed to feel sleek, contemporary, and calming. The clients wanted a space that avoided stark contrasts and glossy finishes, leading to a refined palette of greige matte acrylic cabinetry paired with an eco friendly wood veneer reminiscent of rift cut walnut. The island features a concrete inspired waterfall countertop, while the perimeter uses a warm white surface with soft brown veining that ties the materials together.
The kitchen is organized into distinct functional zones. The main cooking and prep area includes asymmetrical open shelving that maintains a sense of visual balance. Panel ready appliances conceal the fridge, freezer, and dishwasher for a clean and uninterrupted look. The integrated hood fan blends seamlessly into the upper cabinetry, creating a quiet architectural presence. For everyday efficiency, the design incorporates a spice rack pullout and a pullout utensil organizer on either side of the cooktop.
Opposite the main workspace is a dedicated coffee and media zone. A built in espresso machine and television sit within a composition of wood veneer panelling and open shelves. A small table at the end of the island creates a comfortable place for morning coffee and news.
A third zone is dedicated to wine and display storage. A wine fridge with a glass front becomes the visual anchor and is complemented by a matching display cabinet that mirrors its proportions. Open shelving above introduces warmth and continuity, allowing decorative objects to soften the overall composition.
Merit Kitchens cabinetry enabled the designer to execute a highly organized layout with tailored storage that fits the clients’ lifestyle. The result is a tranquil and beautifully composed kitchen with thoughtful zones that support how the homeowners cook, relax, and entertain.