Tracy Moore's glam child-friendly home renovation

Island life

When Tracy Moore was expecting, she moved house. The talk-show host and her husband, Lio, were drawn to a heritage home in Toronto's Riverdale, for its potential to provide a large, central family hub. But there was work to do, and fast, since Tracy was seven months pregnant and her son Sidney, 2, was already mobile. Before they even moved in, Tracy turned to designer Ramsin Khachi to open up the kitchen and dining room. Moving doorways and working with existing windows were challenges, but Tracy is delighted with the outcome: "With the dividing wall gone, we have more lights and it feels like a much bigger area, which is great when you have a toddler whipping around."

Tip: A free-standing countertop makes a great workstation and a perfect place for the whole gang to congregate. The central sink allows you to interact with kids or guests while you prep. 

Transform your dining space with colourful accessories

Bright dishes, napkins and table runners are fun, inexpensive ways to change up your kitchen or dining room. Purchasing an extra set of slipcovers makes it easy to keep chairs clean and vary your look for special occasions. 

Get this look 

Chandelier, unionlightingandfurnishings.com.

Art, canvasgallery.ca.

Window coverings, levolor.ca.

White vases, westhelm.com.

Small art, robcroxford.com.

Radiator cover, fichman.com.

Flatware, ikea.ca.

Plates, thebay.com.

Table runner, potterybarn.ca.

Take cupboards to the ceiling

Having an extra row of cabinets makes the ceiling appear higher and maximizes storage. Give a big-box kitchen a bespoke feel by filling space above and below the cabinets and around the appliances with matching wood. 

Use reflective surfaces.

The mirrored oven creates an illusion of space and gives this functional appliance a more decorative look. Highly polished countertops and stainless-steel kick boards and appliances also add to the light and spacious feel.

Get this look

Kitchen, ikea.ca.

Pitcher, thebay.com.

Pedestal tray, teatroverde.com.

Sophie Conran bowl, thebay.com.

Kettle, breville.ca.

Cutting board, ikea.ca.

New addition

Tracy and her husband, Lio, with their son, Sidney, and one-month-old daughter, Eva Simone.