Interior design firm Welton Design Group based in Surrey has been named a finalist for the Kitchen & Bath Design + Industry Awards 2023 (KBIS).

Welton Design is one of the top three finalists in the Specialty Kitchen category, a new category for 2023, for their project “North Vancouver Laneway.”

When the boutique design firm was hired to design the kitchen in a North Vancouver laneway house (a coach house separate from the main house), the owners wanted a space that felt inviting and cozy without highlighting the home’s limited square footage.

“We designed a kitchen based on their love of pub-style dining, with layers of materials that added dimension,” said Rebecca Foster, director of design at Welton Design Group. “Brick wall details, high ceilings of natural wood, a warm colour palette, and a custom banquette-style eating nook make the home feel lived in and comfortable.”

Materials from “North Vancouver Laneway” were carefully selected to suit the home’s character and the family’s needs,  including antibacterial and heat-resistant Caesarstone quartz countertops, easily cleanable bench seating, textural brick for warmth, and Anne Sacks Savoy Series tile backsplash for simplicity.

Another priority was storage, which was incorporated into every possible space, including soft-green shaker cabinetry, a pantry with roll-out shelving, drawer storage beneath the banquette seating, and a closet with repurposed antique doors – all while floating shelving allows natural light to flow through the house. An oversized island allows extra space to host friends at the counter and a wood ceiling that mimics the engineered hardwood flooring draws the eye to the home’s unique architectural elements.

Winners will be announced at KBIS 2023 in Las Vegas, in January. First-place winners in each of the eight categories will receive a $5,000 prize, second-place winners will receive $2,500 and third-place winners will get $1,500. The People’s Pick winners will receive $3,000.