This beautiful North Vancouver home belongs to a nature-loving and health-conscious couple, Emma and Vince (names changed), their two young children, and their dog, Jasper. When they contacted us about renovating and furnishing their kitchen and family room, we walked in and saw a world of potential waiting to be uncovered. Before: Larkhall Crescent Home: Like many original North Vancouver homes, the interior was definitely dated. We encountered late ‘80s finishes in powder pink and teal green, old carpet, and a kitchen that wasn’t maximized to suit this family’s modern-day lifestyle. However, the size of the rooms offered us a ton of space with which to get creative. Knowing our clients’ love of cooking, need for work spaces (Emma and Vince both work remotely), and growing family, we developed a design concept that would increase usable space, optimize storage, and create intimacy in this large area. As for the style, we were inspired by their European roots, inventing a new and modern take on “Belgian Farmhouse” style. Now, the home is truly one-of-a-kind. After: Warm & Cozy Family Room: Fresh, bright, and comfortable, this living area has been transformed! We started with the fireplace as a focal point, selecting aged brick tiles for added texture and a crisp wood mantle. The taupe-coloured sectional infuses the room with visual warmth and serves the added purpose of separating the family room from the kitchen. Emma and Vince were also keen on using non-toxic materials in their home, and we were happy to oblige. To meet their needs, we sourced natural wood elements and sought out Canadian-made products - that adhere to high health standards - whenever possible. Look closer at the elements of this space, and you will find this stunning, honeycomb-patterned rug in earthy gold, beige, and charcoal tones. It’s plush to the touch and full of visual texture that brings this room’s colour palette together. We sourced these two-tone chairs with caning, petrified wood side table, black sconces, and botanical prints in greyscale from local artist, Heather Johnston. We topped off the space with this dark wood and rattan console that offers storage facing the kitchen and presents an opportunity to display cherished items. The result is a cozy lounging space brimming with comfort and functionality. It’s perfect for enjoying quality family time, or Emma can simply slide the coffee table away to make room for her morning yoga practice. Now, let’s turn around and give some attention to the kitchen. Do you remember what the original kitchen looked like? If not, scroll back up, because the transformation is shocking… Moody & Welcoming Kitchen for Healthy Living: This kitchen looks very different from how it started, right? Though we didn’t touch any walls, the kitchen has almost doubled in usable space! We created a long, extended island with storage, an outlet for small appliances, and seating for comfortable prep, after-school snacking, or mingling among friends. On the other side of the island, the family has even more storage and an integrated dishwasher within easy reach of the sink, perfect for quick clean-up. From this angle, you can also see the expansive custom Shaker cabinetry in white and the integrated double ovens. These facilitate their cooking experience and gave us the opportunity to add an additional surprise… A coffee garage station and more hidden storage! Keeping these items located along the perimeter allows them to be accessed by the family or their guests without someone getting under the cook’s feet. These are the little details that make everyday life easier and more enjoyable. Moving deeper into the kitchen, the seamless induction cooktop topped with a freestanding concealed hood fan commands attention in a soft yet prominent way. The natural wood accent mirrors the fireplace mantle, and the choice of off-black wood-grain cabinets not only continues our black-and-white colour palette but adds a sense of depth and contrast. The corner sink is located to the right and perfectly positioned with a view of their thriving backyard. To invite more of this family’s character into the space, we mixed metals for interest — matte black, dark pewter, and warm brass — and created open shelves in white oak for their plants and decor. You can also glimpse the tumbled edge of the backsplash tile, which echoes the rustic brick of the fireplace. It adds that farmhouse charm while still feeling timeless and sophisticated. Last but not least, we designed this dining banquette in the bay window (with integrated bench storage, of course), where the family can share a meal together, the kids can do homework, or Emma and Vince can work and enjoy a change of scenery from their offices. Like the other spaces in the home, it was designed to be beautiful, multi-functional, and long-lasting. Praise from Our Clients: It is clear that we love this home, but what did our clients have to say? “Lori is a visionary and masters execution to the finest detail all at the same time. When she first met us to know more about who we are and how we live, she could right away envision how we could use the space in our kitchen and living room…The results exceeded our expectations. Lori and her team were also a delight to work with — coordination with all the trades, fast problem-solving, regular updates, professional and friendly attitude of her entire team — made it the dream team. Thank you SHD for making our space so beautiful!” In turn, we are so grateful for this family’s trust, their open communication, and for being wonderful people with whom to work. (So, thank you!)

This new home is inspired by the Colonial architecture found in the region. Situated on a stunning site bordering wooded conservation land with towering oak and beech trees, the connection to nature is of paramount importance. While the main body of the house adheres to historical precedent, the rear of the house and the various wings open up to the surrounding landscape with multi-purpose spaces and monumental windows. A geothermal system provides the hot water, heating and cooling.

Scout's motion sensor can be placed on a shelf or adhered to any wall or structure.
Inspiration for a contemporary living room remodel in Chicago

Scout's motion sensor can be placed on a shelf or adhered to any wall or structure.
Eclectic family room photo in Chicago

A natural area to relax beside the lake. This porch has rustic timber framing with a cable rail system for the railing. This type of railing is great for unobstructed views while still adhering to code.

What a fabulous installation! Probably one of our favorites!! This concrete block fire pit is the perfect height for entertaining guests who are seated or standing. This particular gas burner system is remote controlled with electronic ignition. Plus, it adheres to the strictest safety standards.

Our Constanca Portuguese Tile Vintage Bedding Collection adheres to the same level of artisanal detail as the intricate Portuguese tiles from which the collection draws inspiration. Handmade by expert needleworkers, each piece is block printed on the front and back using eco-friendly dyes. Crafted of 400 thread count cotton and exquisitely textured, this sumptuous bedding is light enough for four-season use and softens with each wash.

The house and landscape intertwine. The property affords a number of excellent views to the distant horizon, and like many settings in the southwest; there is a low lying horizontality to the adjacent topography. As such, we intentionally wanted to express that in the architecture. The northern portion of the house is carved into the land several feet; to express a rootedness to the earth, while the southern portion rises to meet the panoramic views. The character of the home is distinctly contemporary, which accentuates and focuses attention on the organic features of the land, which are embraced by the architecture. By adhering to, yet abstracting, the underlying principles of the southwestern vernacular, with its lean, almost Zen-like simplicity, the architecture allows the views to the natural environment to dominate. The stark contrast between the manmade architecture and natural scenery complement both.

50 million year old fossil fish tiles have been composed to simulate a school of fish swimming across the dining room wall. The tiles adhere like any other tile would, and can be arranged into virtually any composition desired.

Tuscan limestone wall cladding, and a limestone reclaimed fireplace mantel are the back drop for this sitting room, maltese limestone flooring is throughout, a traditional antique indian rug flanks the modern sitting area. For inquiries, contact us at (310) 289-0414 or info@neolithicmaterials.com

Aesthetic Value: The modern industrial angles of the metal balustrade and faceted wood treads create a juxtaposition with the living wall featured prominently in the stair well. The natural textures of the wall bring a warm feel to the assent of the stairway. Stair Safety: The stair adhered to the 2015 IBC codes for commercial stairway. With 36" grab rails and 42" guardrail. With all open spacing being well within code boundaries. Quality: The wood used was stranded bamboo selected for color uniformity. Each tread having precision milled metal traction bars inlaid in the leading edge. Strict adherence to control sample was maintained in final finishing. Technical Challenge: The most challenging part of the construction was creating the multifaceted wood covers for the steel substructure. All wood pieces had to be assembled so no nail holes or plugs would be showing.

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Example of a beach style bathroom design in Miami

Situated on the edge of New Hampshire’s beautiful Lake Sunapee, this Craftsman-style shingle lake house peeks out from the towering pine trees that surround it. When the clients approached Cummings Architects, the lot consisted of 3 run-down buildings. The challenge was to create something that enhanced the property without overshadowing the landscape, while adhering to the strict zoning regulations that come with waterfront construction. The result is a design that encompassed all of the clients’ dreams and blends seamlessly into the gorgeous, forested lake-shore, as if the property was meant to have this house all along. The ground floor of the main house is a spacious open concept that flows out to the stone patio area with fire pit. Wood flooring and natural fir bead-board ceilings pay homage to the trees and rugged landscape that surround the home. The gorgeous views are also captured in the upstairs living areas and third floor tower deck. The carriage house structure holds a cozy guest space with additional lake views, so that extended family and friends can all enjoy this vacation retreat together. Photo by Eric Roth

Aesthetic Value: The modern industrial angles of the metal balustrade and faceted wood treads create a juxtaposition with the living wall featured prominently in the stair well. The natural textures of the wall bring a warm feel to the assent of the stairway. Stair Safety: The stair adhered to the 2015 IBC codes for commercial stairway. With 36" grab rails and 42" guardrail. With all open spacing being well within code boundaries. Quality: The wood used was stranded bamboo selected for color uniformity. Each tread having precision milled metal traction bars inlaid in the leading edge. Strict adherence to control sample was maintained in final finishing. Technical Challenge: The most challenging part of the construction was creating the multifaceted wood covers for the steel substructure. All wood pieces had to be assembled so no nail holes or plugs would be showing.

Florim USA's Outdoor series is a rugged 2cm thick porcelain tile designed to withstand the elements. Included in the many benefits of this category of porcelain tile is that it can be loose laid on gravel, grass, sand and on roof tops or adhered to a variety of substance with the use of a traditional mortar.

Photo: Alexandra Crafton © 2016 Houzz
Kitchen - mediterranean kitchen idea in Portland

Photo: Angela Flournoy © 2014 Houzz
Eclectic kids' room photo in Dallas

The crown molding adheres to classical proportions; no detail is overlooked.