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Don’t dismiss rusticity until you see – and experience – its modern cousin, a wrongly maligned aesthetic that works especially well in kitchens

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START WITH AN ICONIC REFERENCE AND REINTERPRET IT: Here, authentic slabs of barnboard were installed in a striking herringbone pattern around the base of the kitchen island, anchoring the room and indeed setting its entire tone. If you’re not too keen on plucking old boards out of piles in a field, don’t worry: You can purchase kiln-dried reclaimed ones from any salvage facility. Barnboard, Urban Tree Salvage (www.urbantreesalvage.com). Backsplash tile, Saltillo Tile (www.saltillo-tiles.com). Enamel pitchers on shelves, Century Old Salvage (www.centuryoldesalvage.ca).Stacey Brandford/The Globe and Mail

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SEEK OUT UNIQUE AND UNSUAL LIGHTING: To illuminate the island, my team unearthed an awesome overscaled fixture made of tubular piping, a much more interesting option than a standard pendant lamp. It was paired with (and nicely contrasts) twin coach lanterns used in the seating area. Light fixture over island, Addison’s Inc. (www.addisonsinc.ca). Range hood, cook top, wall oven, dishwasher, stand mixer on counter, Lowes (www.lowes.ca). Island counter (Calacatta marble), perimeter counters (Grey Expo Silestone), Latitude (www.latitudeonline.ca). Sink, faucet, Blanco (www.blancocanada.com). Bar stools, Edison bulbs, Morba (www.morba.ca).Stacey Brandford/The Globe and Mail

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USE OUTSIDE ELEMENTS INDOORS: In the seating area, a set of vintage iron patio chairs have been nicely transitioned with the help of handsome pinstripe twill upholstery. Reinforcing the natural look are the drapes, made from by-the-yard fabric patterned with large-scale dandelion blooms. Dining table, Rose Antiques (www.roseantiques.com). Dining chairs, A.H. Wilkins (www.ahwilkens.com). Rug, napkins, napkin rings, West Elm (www.westelm.com).Stacey Brandford/The Globe and Mail

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PACK AND STACK YOUR PANTRY: Try installing a full wall of cabinets comprised entirely of uppers with a depth of just 12 inches. You can mix, match and configure to create a wall unit that holds just about anything you could ever need to store. Cabinetry, IKEA (www.ikea.ca). Cabinetry hardware, Lee Valley (www.leevalley.com).Stacey Brandford/The Globe and Mail

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