Toronto’s best kitchen stuff right now

By Toronto Life | October 3, 2016

By Toronto Life | 10/03/2016

Bulthaup

280 King St. E., 416-361-9005
All of Bulthaup’s sleek designs—floating counters, wall-mounted shelving units and interior-fitting systems—are refined and meticulously engineered, and they favour rich materials like slender metals, pliable wood veneers and brushed aluminum finishes. It’s easy to spend tens of thousands, but you’ll get one precisely tailored kitchen that exudes confidence and style.

Tasco Appliances

3041 Dufferin St., 416-781-9145; plus four other GTA locations
This North Toronto retailer is the Cadillac dealership of appliance stores. Tasco’s selection includes the stainless steel Sub-Zero Pro 48 refrigerator ($27, 899) and an ultra-precise 36-inch Wolf induction cooktop ($4,399). For eco- and budget-conscious shoppers, a super-efficient Fisher and Paykel double drawer dishwasher ($1,799)—with extra headroom for large plates—might be just the thing.

Addison’s

41 Wabash Ave., 416-539-0612
Exploring the collection of plumbing artifacts at Addison’s is like a trip back in time; the stock includes antique cast iron mantels ($200–$1,000), hot-water radiators ($100–$700) and intricate floor grates (from $65). For a truly old-school touch, the store even carries pull-chain toilets ($1,500–$2,000). Browse a selection of brand new and vintage claw-footed tubs, or haul home a cast iron shower base, also with claw feet ($2,500).

Dekla

1220 Yonge St., 416-961-2929
Dekla is the only Toronto retailer for the Italian kitchen and bathroom designer and manufacturer Scavolini. Lacquered surfaces are tinted in shades from henna brown to vivid blue, and surface materials include steel and wood veneers. There are plenty of opportunities to splurge, whether on bathroom fixtures or a tub that looks like a halved egg ($7,200).

Aya Kitchen and Bath

1551 Caterpillar Rd., Mississauga, 905-848-1999
On one side of Aya’s capacious showroom, kitchen remodellers can browse the retailer’s in-house line, a bevy of traditional and contemporary offerings in an array of materials and finishes. The other side is for more futuristic designs by the strikingly unadorned Avani line, with its hidden appliance garages. These sleek kitchens feature shape-shifting islands and cabinetry towers that conceal everything from countertops to audio-visual systems.

Irpinia Kitchens

650 Mount Pleasant Rd., 416-782-4922; 278 Newkirk Rd., Richmond Hill, 905-780-7722
This Leaside showroom features six model kitchens, including an ornate old-world setup. Custom designs range from $10,000 to $500,000. An eco-friendly line of cabinetry comes in a variety of styles, each of which is constructed using Forest Stewardship Council–certified wood, and the cabinets are produced using a bare minimum of chemicals. Clever pullout drawers—available in a variety of classic and contemporary finishes—can be outfitted to conceal everything from flatware to pots and pans to wine bottles, and even recycling bins. Irpinia outfitted the residential kitchens for the Festival Tower above the TIFF Bell Lightbox.

Poliform

99 Jarvis St., 416-601-1661
The downtown showroom from this luxury Italian brand shimmers with Carrara marble countertops and high-gloss stainless steel that’s been polished and coated six times over. All the kitchens are engineered to perfection—they spend a year in the research and development lab before going to market.