Kitchen Cabinetry Design and Installation by ORA Kitchens & Bath
Any realtor can tell you, kitchens and bathrooms are often deal makers or deal breakers, a fact that reflects our general attitude towards these vital spaces. In no other rooms is it quite so important to strike the right balance of style and functionality. And even though all kitchens and all bathrooms boil down to the same basic elements, kitchen and bathroom design remains incredibly diverse.
For Orillia’s ORA Kitchens and Bath, that diversity underscores the importance of listening keenly as clients talk through what they are looking for and how they’ll be using each space. “Clients will often begin by talking about general style preferences—more contemporary or more traditional, for example,” explains Melissa Simms, kitchen designer at ORA “but as we start to narrow down the overall look they are trying to achieve, our job is also to discuss features and functionality.”
When a builder who had worked with ORA Kitchens and Bath on numerous projects wanted to build his own dream home in Tiny Township on Georgian Bay, he was keen to get ORA involved. And while ORA has seen a trend toward modern stylings in their projects, this particular client had something very traditional in mind.
“The client wanted a large-scale, traditional kitchen with extensive cabinetry,” recalls Darrin Graham, ORA’s director of operations. In addition to the main kitchen, there was a second kitchen to be designed for downstairs plus a laundry room, as well as a bar and three bathrooms. The idea was to build a hub for multigenerational gatherings, with spaces conducive to everyone being together but also options for privacy.
The choice of a classic aesthetic gave ORA the opportunity to flex its muscles by incorporating some ornate millwork, such as brackets and decorative corbels. The wood selected for the cabinetry was also unusual—cherry. “While cherry is among our standard offerings, we have never undertaken a project of this magnitude in this material,” says Victoria Aita, kitchen designer at ORA.
“The beauty of cherry wood is that the colour changes over time, deepening from pale gold to a rich red-brown,” she explains. However, cherry is so light-sensitive that during the manufacturing process, it has to be carefully protected from exposure to light. “Unfinished, it can age in as little as an hour,” says Darrin. “Once it’s finished, the process is much slower.”
The cabinetry was designed by ORA designer Angelo Aita. In the main kitchen, glass-front stacked upper cabinets and waterfall-edged connecting islands give the space showstopper appeal and make it an ideal venue for entertaining large groups, while deeply veined smoky grey granite in the countertops and full-height sheet backsplash contribute a stately depth and texture.
In the lower level, the cabinetry had to be installed on a wall which was a semi-circle. Installing larger rectangular cabinetry onto a curved wall presented a challenge. “We modified our cabinet construction to ensure they could be installed safely and securely,” explains Melissa. “It was a bit of a challenge, but every project has its own peculiarities. These often end up being what most make the space interesting to the eye.”
“Every project has its own peculiarities. These often end up being what most
make the space interesting to the eye.”
ORA’s range includes everything from contemporary to transitional to traditional design. “We’re not married to one style or another,” says Victoria. “But we do try to help our clients avoid the trap of following trends that aren’t likely to have staying power by looking for ways to introduce character and depth.” And after a decade in business primarily serving Muskoka and GTA clientele, ORA’s designers have plenty of experience to draw on.
