From planning ahead and choosing sustainable materials, to do-it-yourself cabinetry solutions, our expert recommendations will help you save money and transform your home into a greener space
Life and style expert Shoana Jensen is the fun girlfriend you trust to give you the best advice on simplifying your every day. Over the past two years, she and her husband Greg have completely renovated a 1970s farmhouse in Niagara-on-the-Lake in Ontario. Her style is Modern Farmhouse. Her approach is about mixing beauty with practicality and making choices to live sustainably along the way. And, of course, the Cityline TV personality is always up for a new DIY project. Here’s a peek into what she loves most about her new farmhouse kitchen and why.
The 7 things I love the most about my farmhouse kitchen
THE OVERSIZED FARMHOUSE SINK AND A BRIDGE FAUCET. Farmhouse sinks are so functional, spacious, and timeless, and bridge faucets are pure elegance — together, they are a perfect match! I get asked all the time where I found them; both are from House of Rohl.
WHITE CABINETRY CREATES A TIMELESS KITCHEN AND QUARTZ COUNTERTOPS THAT LOOK GREAT AND ARE EASY TO CARE FOR. Choosing white makes any sized kitchen space feel large and airy, and with all of the natural light here in my favourite room, I just love how it all feels fresh and warm. The cabinets are from IKEA Axstad in matte white, and the counter is Caesarstone in 5110 Alpine Mist.
TOUCHES OF WOOD AND CANE. Mixing natural materials like wood in my countertop stools into my white kitchen was an easy way to bring in more texture. The flooring is from PurParket (the colour is Character Bisque), a Canadian company. P.S. Murphy loves our kitchen too!
CLASSIC COUNTY CUP PULLS IN AN ELONGATED SHAPE. These pulls look good on cabinets and on drawers, and while they work in many styles of kitchens, they are most often associated with farmhouse décor. These are from Schaub.
A SPICE LIBRARY. Organizing my spices like this in Mason jars was totally worth the effort since I cook a lot. To make it all fit, I picked a size and measured them out (some math required!). You can find mason jars at just about any hardware or dollar store, and they’re super budget friendly. The pretty labels are from Etsy and are just as beautiful as they are practical.
A NOOK FOR CUTTING BOARDS. I designed my farmhouse kitchen with a space where all of my cutting boards (many are thrifted and hand-me-downs) fit well and look cute too.
A FIREPLACE IN THE KITCHEN! One of the smartest additions I think I made with my reno was adding a fireplace in the kitchen! I chose these aged brick veneers so it doesn’t look too new. The brick is called Sacramento Rustic from StoneRox Canada.
Tip: Another thing we planned for is the addition of solar panels when the budget permits. Our electrical work in the kitchen and the whole house was designed to accommodate solar panels, and we chose a metal roof for the same reason. These steps help us move towards the most sustainable choices in a realistic way.
Every chance we could, we chose sustainably made products, eco options, Canadian materials, and things built to last a very long time.
It was important for us to design a home that is futureproofed, and by that, I mean choosing finishes that are great quality, have a classic design and will last for a long time. For example, I went with a high-quality matte finish on the cabinet doors that can be painted if we sell and another family moves in and prefers a different colour or style. The same with the countertop that we selected — it’s a warm grey with a white vein, and it goes with every colour. I also went with a floor that has timeless appeal, one that reminds me of stunning heritage homes.
Good design is important for how you use and enjoy your space, and a well-planned renovation means that the next homeowner doesn’t have to redo the house all over again.
