With its glass - tiled backsplash, all - white cabinetry and luxurious quartz and marble countertops, this decidedly chic kitchen doesnt exactly shout "suitable for kids." But thats exactly what it is.

Creating a bright, family - friendly space had been a top priority since Sarah and Aaron Smith, both engineers, moved into this Calgary home about three years ago. Originally, the room, with its overbearing cabinetry, felt very dark and confined. Flow between the kitchen and dining area was awkward, and features like an ineffectual pass - through on one side and low - hanging cabinetry on another didnt help. "If people were standing on the other side of the counter, they had to duck down below the cabinets to see you," says Sarah. 

When it came time to gut the dated kitchen, the couple called on designer Aly Velji, whom they met when they needed help picking paint colours for their former home. Five years and several room renos later, they knew they could trust Aly to help realize their vision. "We wanted to make the kitchen kid - friendly but also make it look current and really fresh," says Aly, "so thats the approach we took."

First things first: the walls enclosing the kitchen came down and the dining areas vaulted ceiling was evened out, streamlining the resulting 16 - by - 21 - foot space. With functionality an enormous consideration, the new traditional cabinetry - the homeowners didnt want to go too modern in their 1960s house - was packed with handy custom storage.

The mix of modern and traditional elements creates a timeless aesthetic, and some eclectic decorative touches, such as a row of glass globe pendant lights and Roman shades with a modern trellis pattern, work to elevate the kitchens inviting charm. "Im always looking to do something a little bit different and unexpected," says Aly.

But it seems the most unexpected thing about this undeniably sophisticated space is just how kid - friendly it really is: The glass backsplash is easy to clean, the stools are covered in stain - resistant microsuede and the ample marble - topped island offers the perfect spot for casual meals. "In the end, we were able to create a kitchen that doesnt look kiddish but in fact can be used by a family," says Sarah.