Gastown loft kitchen is reimagined with a moody palette, and the result is equal parts dramatic, edgy and luxe, The Vancouver Sun, March 2026
This article was written by Lise Boullard and originally published in The Vancouver Sun.
When it comes to finding inspiration for a renovation, the starting points can be seemingly endless. They can come from the designer, from one of the owner’s travel souvenirs or from the surrounding neighbourhood.
The latter was the case with this renovation of a loft kitchen in Gastown. Here, the owners brought forward a bold design vision.
“It’s in an older building that is quite industrial and the clients wanted the space to feel industrial, dark and moody,” says interior designer Janie Hungerford, who oversaw the renovation in the 2,406-square-foot loft.
A kitchen is often the focal point in a home, and in this case, it was even more of a priority, given that the owners — a couple who work remotely — love to entertain.
In terms of layout, the design team started with a blank slate in a sense: a “builder spec” kitchen with weird angles.
“There was no flow, and a really large space in the middle,” Hungerford says. “So the work triangle was not functioning very well and was dated.”
So the team went to work reconfiguring the space, placing an expansive waterfall island with textured concrete as the focal point of the room, positioned for a spectacular view of the North Shore mountains from the perspective of the chef.
“The stone is quite textured to contrast with the smooth surface [of the matte black-stained red oak cabinets] and then there’s the drama of it all being dark and masculine in tone,” Hungerford says. The island allows guests to sit on bar stools facing the kitchen or swing around to face the adjoining living room with its original exposed concrete ceiling and brick wall.
At first glance, the kitchen’s matte black cabinets are sleek and minimalist, but inside they’re functional powerhouses. Designed for everyday living and cooking, they feature deep storage for pots and pans, plus integrated appliances for a cohesive, seamless look.
One of the challenges of working with dark hues in a residential home is ensuring a space feels warm and comfortable, and also bright enough for daily living. Hungerford’s selection of layered greys in different textures, including Missoni textiles and sculptural ceramics, plus brushed steel fixtures merges to create an intimate, welcoming space.
“And, of course, working with really good lighting is important,” Hungerford explains, noting that the original large windows allow natural light to stream in. Proof of the age-old art and design adage, that beauty lives at the intersection of dark and light.
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Interior design: Hungerford Interior Design
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Builder: Marino General Contracting
5 tips from Janie Hungerford
Dark matte paint adds depth and sophistication, while minimizing glare, creating a cosy, enveloping atmosphere that works beautifully in bedrooms and dining rooms or on accent walls.
Use varied materials like velvet, mohair, wood, patinated metal and stone to add depth and warmth to dark surfaces.
When designing a moody room, consider how palette, material, form and scale come together. Choose every piece intentionally to complement the others.
Combine ambient, task and accent lighting to highlight features and maintain a welcoming atmosphere.
In a dark space, ceiling details like coves, trays, coffered ceilings, wood panelling or subtle metallic/textured finishes with integrated lighting add depth, drama and dimension.