Jackie Schagen Kitchens

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Canada
Courtice, ON
Jackie Schagen Kitchens

Kitchen Design & Space Planning
We are passionate about creating well planned Kitchens and Homes.

08/26/2026

It’s National Dog Day, so Stormy gets the spotlight today.

If you’ve ever met Stormy, you know she has a lot of personality and definitely knows how to keep us entertained.

She loves a good cuddle and can usually find the best sun puddle in the house, but I’m pretty sure her absolute favourite pastime is stealing things she knows she’s not supposed to have.

Usually it’s a tea towel or a shoe. Although apparently even an unattended beer can isn’t safe around here.

The funny thing is, she has absolutely no intention of chewing any of it. That’s not the point. The point is to grab something, make sure you’ve noticed, and then run around like a fool while you chase her trying to get it back.

And judging by how often we fall for it, she’s trained us very well.

It can’t just be Stormy getting all the attention today. I’d love to see your dogs too, so share a photo in the comments.

08/20/2026

Before you fall in love with that wood floor for your kitchen… let’s talk.

In an open-concept home, that beautiful, continuous wood look is still incredibly popular, and you can get the look in a couple of very different ways.

For busy families, vinyl can be fantastic. The graphics have become SO good, it’s waterproof and it’s incredibly livable. Kids coming in wet from the pool? Fine. Dog knocks over the water bowl? Also fine. This is a floor that’s ready for real life.

Then there’s real wood, and I still love it.

The thing about natural materials is that they’re going to age. Your floors will develop a patina. They’ll get scratches and marks along the way.

And I actually think that’s part of the charm.

Sometimes it’s okay for our homes to show that we live in them. Real wood isn’t going to look brand new forever, but those little imperfections are part of what makes it feel warm, natural and real.

So, which would I choose? It depends entirely on YOU. How you live. What you love. And how you want your home to feel.

📸 IK Photography

08/17/2026

PROJECT SPOTLIGHT: The Royal Pines Kitchen

Some projects stay with you long after they're finished. This was one of them.

When we first started designing this kitchen, I presented two options to my clients. One worked beautifully within their budget. The other was everything they had envisioned.
Instead of compromising, they made a decision that takes patience and confidence.

They waited.

By saving a little longer, they were able to create the kitchen they truly wanted, without wondering later if they should have done things differently.

One of my favourite details is the faux wood beam. There was a structural beam that couldn't be removed, so instead of trying to hide it, we designed around it and turned it into a feature that adds warmth and character to the space.

Other details I love include the walnut seating area, the beautiful mix of finishes, the coffee and bar station, the statement sconces, and the bay window that fills the room with natural light.

Every element has a purpose, but together they create something that feels effortless.
Sometimes the best design decision isn't choosing a finish or a layout.

It's giving yourself the time to create the home you really want.

📸 IK Photography

08/13/2026

One of the biggest reasons people put off renovating their kitchen isn't the design. It's the fear of making the wrong decisions.

There are so many choices to make, and for most homeowners, it's not something they've ever done before.

That's why I see my role as more than designing a beautiful kitchen. My job is to help you navigate the process, explain your options, answer your questions honestly and give you the confidence to make decisions you'll be happy with for years to come.

When clients tell me they felt supported from start to finish, that's every bit as meaningful as hearing they love their new kitchen. A successful renovation isn't just about the finished space. It's about how you feel throughout the journey.

08/11/2026

When you're looking through photos online, you can often tell when a designer has a signature style. Every project has a similar look and feel.

There's absolutely nothing wrong with that.

But if you look through my portfolio, you'll notice something different. Every kitchen has its own personality because every client does.

I don't measure success by whether every project looks alike. I measure it by whether each one feels like it belongs exactly where it is.

My job is to understand how you live, how you use your kitchen and what's important to you. Then we design a space around that. Sometimes that means clean and contemporary. Sometimes it's warm and traditional. Sometimes it's somewhere in between.

At the end of the day, you're the one who will be living in that kitchen every day. If I've done my job well, it won't feel like a designer's kitchen. It'll feel like yours.

📷 IK Photography

08/07/2026

The best seat in the house isn't always at the dining table. It's often right in the kitchen.

When I'm designing a kitchen, I'm not just thinking about where you'll cook. I'm thinking about how you'll actually live in the space.

Where you'll enjoy your morning coffee. Where kids can do homework while dinner is on the stove. Where someone pulls up a stool just to chat. And where guests always seem to gather, no matter how many other places there are to sit.

That's why I almost always look for opportunities to incorporate seating, even in smaller kitchens. A couple of stools, a built-in bench, or a cozy little nook can completely change the way a kitchen feels.

After all, if everyone ends up in the kitchen anyway... they may as well have somewhere comfortable to sit.

📷 IK Photography

08/04/2026

Our first meeting isn't about designing your kitchen. It's about getting to know each other.

A lot of people assume that's when we'll be making big decisions, looking at cabinet samples, or choosing finishes.

That's not how I like to start.

Before we talk about layouts, colours, or countertops, I want to learn about you.

How does your family use the kitchen?
What's frustrating you about your current space?
What would make everyday life easier?

And just as importantly, it's your chance to get to know me.

Ask me about my process, project management, products, timelines, or anything else you're curious about. I want you to leave with a clear understanding of how I work.

Think of it like a first date.

No pressure. No commitments. Just a conversation to see if we're the right fit before taking the next step together.

📷IK Photography

07/29/2026

A nice reminder of why I love what I do.

My CommunityVotes Oshawa 2026 Gold Award has officially arrived.

While it is lovely to have another award on the shelf, what it really represents means so much more. It is a reminder of the incredible clients who have trusted me with their homes, the relationships I have built along the way and the opportunity to do work that I genuinely love every day.

Thank you to everyone who voted, supported my business and invited me to be part of your renovation journey. I never take that trust for granted and I am so grateful for this wonderful community.

07/27/2026

One of my favourite parts of visiting clients after a renovation is seeing how they've made the space their own.

During a recent visit, I noticed a beautiful pair of soft blue-green salt and pepper mills on the counter. They added the perfect pop of colour and personality to the kitchen. It was clear they brought the homeowner joy and I loved that she'd made them part of the design instead of hiding them away in a cupboard.

It reminded me that some of the best design decisions are not always the biggest ones. They are the little touches that make you smile every time you walk into the room.

We spend so much time talking about cabinetry, countertops, layouts and lighting during a renovation. Those decisions matter, of course. But once the big decisions are behind you, do not forget to have a little fun.

Fresh flowers. A bowl of seasonal fruit. A favourite mug. Colourful tea towels. The Dutch oven you love but never think to display.

Those everyday pieces are what make a kitchen feel lived in, personal and uniquely yours.

Make the smart decisions first. Then have a little fun with the rest.

📷IK Photography

07/24/2026

Cabinet colour gets all the attention. But the finish is where the magic happens.

One kitchen trend I'll happily continue recommending is matte cabinetry.

Not because it's trendy, but because it works.

This kitchen is a great example of why I love it. The soft matte finish creates warmth, adds depth and does a wonderful job of disguising fingerprints, grease and the little signs of everyday life. (Because let's be honest... no one wants to spend their evenings wiping cabinet doors.)

It's one of those design choices that looks just as beautiful years after your renovation as it does on installation day.

When I'm designing a kitchen, I'm always looking for those thoughtful details that make a home feel beautiful and easier to live in.

Matte cabinetry is one of them.

📷IK Photography

Address

Courtice, ON

Website

http://www.jackieschagenkitchens.ca/

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