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Photo: Courtesy of Jenn-Air, www.jennair.com. Designer's Notebook This sculptural downdraft system is installed behind the cooktop, disappearing when not in use, and providing a very interesting ventilation system when in use. To create a fowing horizontal element in a space (tied to the backsplash), integrate wall surfaces when appropriate. In this corridor kitchen, many designers would have extended the splash only along the refrigerator wall underneath the wall cabinet and between the peninsula base and wall cabinets. However, the designer beautifully tied those two runs of cabinets together by covering the entire end window wall with the same tile (even though there are no cabinets underneath the window). Photo: Courtesy of Friedemann Weinhardt, Design First Interiors, Ottawa, Ontario, www. designfirstinteriors.com; photography by Marc Fowler, Metropolis Studios, Ottawa, Ontario, www.metropolisstudio.com. kitchens tucked in the corner of a large room. › Our second challenge is fnding ways to minimize the overall appearance of some of the important appliances specifed for the room. In addition to paneling the refrigerator or strategically locating ovens, a focus on new "almost invisible" ventilation systems is a successful strategy. › Third, taking a diferent approach to the design statement the countertop and backsplash makes in more contemporary spaces is important. The splash can blend or match the base or wall units, rather than contrast. › Lastly, it's important to realize that contemporary rooms do not rely on small details to create their personality. Rather, bolder use of shapes in and around the island or other important cabinet sections can make the diference between a rather predictable contemporary space and one that is wonderfully unique. Of special note, all but two of the kitchens featured 44 | Kitchen & Bath Design News September 2013 in this article are from Canadian designers. These rooms have all been honored in either the NKBA National Design Competition open to all NKBA members, or in the individual NKBA Canadian Chapters' design competitions. My compliments to all of our Canadian colleagues – beautiful work we can all learn from! In this kitchen, the design strategy of 'framing' one specifc area creates a focal point without introducing any strong contrasts. Note how the wall sections 'frame' the hood. The entire backsplash is one seamless piece of backpainted glass. A dramatic form is created along the back wall, with the tall cabinets, refrigerator and oven housed in dark fnish cabinetry. Although the stainless ovens do stand out, that entire back elevation creates a form that anchors the room. This space has an elegant ceiling treatment as well. Defning the kitchen space by changing the foor is efectively done in this kitchen (which is part of a more open room). Photo: Courtesy of Friedemann Weinhardt, Design First Interiors, Ottawa, Ontario, www. designfirstinteriors.com; photography by Doublespace Photography, Ottawa, Montreal and Toronto, www.doublespacephoto.com. Ellen Cheever, CMKBD, ASID, CAPS is a well-known author, designer, speaker and marketing specialist. A member of the NKBA Hall of Fame, Cheever gained prominence in the industry early on as the author of two design education textbooks. She manages an award-winning design frm, Ellen Cheever & Associates, and has been part of the management team of several major cabinet companies.