The clients wanted a space where they could enjoy spending time together as a family. They felt their original kitchen was unattractive, dated, and unsafe for children. The lighting was dark, the tile floors were hard and sometimes slippery, the range was located centrally on the island, and the pilot lights were always burning. Friends and extended family were not invited into the kitchen, and so the large space was largely under-utilized. It needed to be functional for daily use as well as for occasional entertaining. The owners were open to any ideas that would help make this space a comfortable, integral and beautiful part of their home. They imagined having a warm inviting kitchen that truly felt like the “heart” of the home, light and fresh as well as warm and welcoming. Children as well as guests would know they belonged. The design challenge involved creating a family kitchen that was both current and in keeping with the home’s transitional design. We started with creating a focal-point and moved the range to the back wall. Then we designed twin islands, which created surface space for food preparation. We added seating around the far island. To brighten the space and further increase the functionality, we layered the lighting. In keeping with the traditional feel, we used moulding and trim with warm woods, then topped these with a crisp, white marble. The end result was an entirely updated kitchen that is beautiful, functional, welcoming and timeless enough to endure design trends and evolve with the family’s changing needs.