Before & After: There’s a Light in the Attic of This Reimagined Toronto Row House

Super-matte white plastic laminate upper cabinets blend with the walls to give the illusion that the space is wider than its 16 feet. The lower cabinets are finished with a rich walnut veneer, and topped with Glacier White Corian countertops. Concealed sockets from Bocci add to the sleek, minimalist effect, while a soapstone slab on the island adds a welcoming warmth. "The island is where everyone sits—for breakfast, for snacks, for working," says Bader. "You don’t want a surface that’s polished and cold."