Virginia Fynes is a mom, a successful restaurant owner and the blogger behind the popular DIY, lifestyle and design blog Fynes Designs. She has always been passionate about interior design, so much so that she originally pursued her education in interior decorating.

Virginia recently moved into her home located in the beautiful Annapolis Valley, Nova Scotia. The original kitchen was dark, dated and in severe need of a total redesign. She turned to Cosentino in search of a solution for her countertops. After hearing about all of the incredible benefits of Dekton, she was hooked. She transformed the once dreary kitchen into a space that could easily be straight out of a home design magazine. We caught up with Virginia to talk about the inspiration behind her ‘glam farmhouse’ kitchen and why she loves her Dekton countertops so much.

What was your personal goal or directive for the kitchen?

My goal for the kitchen was to create a bright, airy space that was functional for our blended family. My children are young, so we needed a space that was not only good for quick school-day breakfasts and homework, but great for entertaining when Tim’s older boys are home from university. I own a restaurant, and I’ve come to know the things that make a good kitchen space tick for me. Ample workspace was at the top of the list.

What was the inspiration behind the design of your kitchen?

The biggest inspiration was all of the deep cabinetry colours popping up everywhere. Navy has been my favourite colour for years, so I figured it would be much more timeless than a lot of the other cabinetry colours that have been trending.

If you had to put a name to the design style of your kitchen, what would it be and why?

I feel like the term ‘Modern Farmhouse’ is thrown around a lot these days. I live in a rural area that is surrounded by many century farmhouses, with all the elements that many are trying to mimic, rural or not. Our home definitely fell into that category even before it was a catch phrase. In an effort to keep up with the aesthetic and add some much-needed character to the space, I would call the kitchen ‘glam farmhouse’. Elements favoured by the homes of our childhood, like exposed beams, large workspaces, apron front sinks, and open shelving, all with a touch of gold!

Why did you decide to incorporate Dekton into the project?

I did a lot of countertop research before settling on Dekton. Of all the stones I learned about, Dekton had all the properties I was looking for in a surface for our kitchen.

It is very user friendly! Perfect for a busy cook, young family and a home that is really lived in. I chose Dekton Bergen, part of their new Stonika Collection.

What are the benefits of Dekton that you like most?

Do I have to choose just one? The fact that Dekton is scratch, stain and heat resistant had me sold, nonporous is just a bonus! I still stress myself out about putting down a trivet for hot pots and the kids scratching it with one of their silly games, but I’m sure those thoughts will fade as my old norms become distant.

What is your favourite thing about the design of your kitchen?

I love all the light. The globes above the island give a soft overhead glow when we aren’t getting the natural daylight from the bay windows.

The Dekton X-Gloss finish on the countertop really adds a shine to the beautiful lighting.

Do you have any design tips for homeowners thinking about renovating their kitchen?

Plan then execute. It is very easy to get wrapped up in the excitement of a new space and rush important decisions. Plan out as many details as you can before you start the demo. Order the finishing touches long before you actually need them; it really stinks when you’re ready to put up light fixtures and they still haven’t been shipped from the warehouse, or you don’t have running water because you can’t settle on a faucet. Also, take some time to meal plan. It will seem like an eternity if you have to eat three square meals in a restaurant. Put a few things in the freezer you can pop in the microwave, make best use of the BBQ, and buy shares in rotisserie chickens. Most importantly, have fun!