The Barrie’s backyard escape is nothing short of inspirational. The brilliant contrast of colour from the lush green grass offsets the inviting blue waters thanks to the Full Blue Mosaic Liner. As you make your way towards the pool you’ll notice seating on either end. The pool house-bar combination is the perfect gathering place to watch the game from the high top bar stools or from the pool on the Thermoplastic Steps. Head to the chaise loungers positioned at the opposite end of the pool to relax and unwind after a long hard day, or work your tan as you catch up on your favourite magazine. This 15’ X 29’ Emerald Onground Pool makes incredible use of the space to provide ample room for swimming activities, as well as plenty of room around the edge of the pool to dip your toes and cool off. As night falls, the fun rises thanks to LED Lighting that illuminates this backyard oasis making this the perfect spot for fun or relaxation whether it’s day or night.

The Setup: After purchasing this home, the homeowners faced a unique opportunity to reimagine their kitchen and nearby spaces. Water damage from a burst pipe had left much of the home’s interior in need of repair, and while the existing kitchen was functional and in relatively good shape, it didn’t align with the family’s vision for their new home. The layout included a peninsula that wasn’t ideal, and there were some druthers with the nearby pantry. Since the space needed to be rebuilt anyway, the homeowners saw this as a chance to create a kitchen that was both highly functional for their four young children and timeless in its design. The project also included a refresh of the adjacent message center and dining room — spaces that play key roles in the family’s daily life. The goal was to create a cohesive flow between these areas, balancing modern functionality with the craftsman-inspired character of the rest of the home. Design Objectives: - Replace the outdated peninsula with a large island to maximize counter space and create new seating options. - Open up the space visually by removing soffits and rethinking the cabinetry layout. Incorporate concealed refrigeration and freezer units to provide significant storage for the family while maintaining a streamlined aesthetic. - Integrate black cabinetry into the design without making the space feel harsh or heavy. - Ensure the lighting plan balances functional task lighting with ambient accent lighting. - Avoid visual clutter in the cabinetry design while still giving a nod to the craftsman aesthetic. - Incorporate a slab backsplash as a key design feature. Design Challenges: - The outdated peninsula left dead space in the kitchen and lacked sufficient seating for the family. - The cooktop wall was cramped, with small cabinets flanking the hood, limited storage, and soffits that made the space feel closed-in. - The family needed significant refrigeration space (two refrigerators and a freezer) but wanted to avoid a cluttered look with visible stainless steel appliances. - Adding black cabinetry risked making the space feel too dark or heavy. - The original lighting plan was insufficient, particularly over the dining table where a decorative fixture proved too dim. - The family wanted shaker-style drawer fronts to match the home’s arts-and-crafts design but worried that too much shaker cabinetry might look overly busy. - Prioritizing a slab backsplash in the wish list priority planning. The Renewed Space Design Solutions: - A functional island: The peninsula was replaced with a large island that provides continuous countertop space for prepping and serving. The island also features seating for four people, creating a central hub for informal meals and activities. - Streamlined cooktop wall: The soffits were removed, and the upper cabinets on the cooktop wall were eliminated to create a more open, streamlined design. A custom oversized hood became the focal point of the wall, with the blower unit offset inside it to align with the cooktop while maintaining exterior visual symmetry. - Concealed refrigeration: Two column refrigerators and one freezer were integrated into the cabinetry, concealing them behind wood paneling that blends seamlessly with the overall design. - Warm black cabinetry: The black cabinetry was crafted from hickory with a visible grain, softening its appearance and adding warmth. The grain detail gives the cabinetry a rich, textured look that avoids feeling stark or overpowering. - Additional lighting: In the dining area, recessed can lights were added during an additional installation phase to supplement the gorgeous decorative fixture’s dim output. The new lighting plan creates a layered effect, combining functional task lighting with softer ambient lighting. - Simplified cabinetry details: Slab drawer fronts were used on the upper drawers, while five-piece shaker fronts (with slightly less prominent rail and stile pieces) were reserved for the middle and lower drawers. This approach simplified the overall look while maintaining the craftsman-inspired aesthetic. - Slab backsplash priority: The slab backsplash was prioritized by making thoughtful adjustments elsewhere, like opting not to extend cabinetry to the ceiling, which also helped visually prioritize the gorgeous slab backsplash. This decision also enhanced the kitchen’s furniture-like feel, aligning with the home’s craftsman character. - This kitchen perfectly balances practicality with timeless style. By addressing the family’s functional needs — ample seating, smart storage, and effective lighting — while incorporating thoughtful design elements like warm black cabinetry and a striking slab backsplash, Alicia created a space that works beautifully for a busy household. The result is a cohesive, inviting kitchen that honors the home’s craftsman roots and will serve the family well for years to come.

10 Ideas for Turning Your Garage into a Modern Industrial Neighborhood Bar By Elizabeth Aldrich Host happy hours and cocktail parties worthy of a full page spread – in your own garage. Leave the brick exposed, the concrete floors as is, and the wood unfinished and it costs more? The sophisticated older brother of the shabby-chic trend, urban industrial style, is taking over. Real estate agents are able to tack on a few extra grand to a flat if they can include “exposed brick” in their advertisements, and designer chefs and master mixologists are moving into warehouses and industrial districts in urban areas across the nation. A friend recently invited me to dinner at Portland, Oregon’s newest, hippest charcuterie spot, and when we pulled up to the building it was in a warehouse where I used to go to underground raves in high school. These industrial style spaces that were once seen as unfinished or lacking in coziness are now seriously coveted. Their rawness is considered authentic, their grit a mark of character. But if you’re a homeowner, there’s a good chance you already have one of them built right into your house: your garage. I like to preach about how much people underutilize their garage spaces, piling them full of storage bins they never touch. Whether you turn it into a workspace or a playroom, there’s a lot of value in a creatively-used garage space. For the overly ambitious, the design lover, or the hostess with the mostess, here’s one idea that blows the rest out of the water. Turn your garage into a multi-purpose, urban industrial wonderland for work and play. Originally outfitted for factories and warehouses, the industrial style facilitates productivity. Now that it’s also being appreciated as a great aesthetic for bars and restaurants, these rooms can serve both form and function, doubling as work and entertaining spaces. This is great for people who have always dreamed of having that extra basement space for hosting friends, complete with a wet bar and a billiards table, but lack the square footage. Just keep in mind that your friends might love it so much, they’ll start ditching their favorite happy hour spot and showing up at your doorstep instead. Here are ten ideas forbuilding the perfect workshop by day and cocktail bar by night in your garage. 1. Clean out the space. Get rid of everything you don’t need. Part of the beauty of industrial style designs is their simplicity and abundance of open space. Excessive clutter can make people feel boxed in, and that’s not conducive to productivity or to social activity. Out of sight, out of mind. Build shelving up high for storing must-keep belongings, much like a warehouse. For bonus points, store your belongings in wooden crates for aesthetic consistency. Or consider stacking them on a pallet, wrapping them in excessive amounts of plastic wrap, and loading them onto the next cross-country freighter. You won’t miss them. 2. Install storage for frequently used objects. The brilliant thing about the urban industrial look is that your tools, tool boxes, and tool storage cabinets already fit right in. Metal storage cabinets and file cabinets are perfect additions to the space. While grey is certainly the color pallet for this style, 50 shades might be a few too many. Mix it up by spray painting one of your cabinetsto add a pop of color. Make a small pegboard to hold up your tools and hang larger items such as bicycles and recreational equipment by pegs. If you have a lot of storage bins that you have to keep, look upward instead of storing them on the floor. Insert a tracking system onto your garage ceiling and slide the bins into place. For extra credit, get an old locker to use as a coat closet when guests come over. 3. Heat the space.Since you’re not turning the garage into a full-time living space, such as a spare bedroom, you really don’t need to go through the work and additional cost of installing full-blown heating and insulation systems. If you don’t need to use the space when the temperature drops, or if you live in a consistently temperate climate, you might not need to do anything. But if you do want to be able to host people through the winter, a simple garage heater will suffice. Here are some good options for installing garage heating. Take it one step further, and get a couple patio heaters to help with the next step. 4. Turn your driveway into a patio space. Even the best restaurants and cocktail bars are nothing in the summertime without a solid patio space. Leave the garage door open on warmer nights and invite your guests to go outdoors. Place some stylish folding chairs and a patio table out for comfort. Place a few potted plants here and there to make the space feel more inviting. For a really lively patio scene, put a portable fire pit out on the driveway or front lawn and surround it with workbenches from your garage. 5. Build your bar. Pick a corner in your garage for the bar, and get started. You can build a bar pretty cheaply and easily with reclaimed pallets, and get some industrial-style barstools. Behind the bar, you’ll have both your tools and your liquor, and there’s no need to build expensive cabinetry. If you’re serving quality, why cover it up? Build shelving or open cubicles to house your liquor. Put out metal buckets filled with ice to chill beers.Be sure to serve up cocktails worthy of the space. The Hemingway Daiquiri served straight up is a unique way to dress down, or industrialize, a traditionally frou-frou cocktail. To go the extra mile, build a bar with laid brick.Install an extra fridge in the garage so you can avoid having to trek into the kitchen to refill chilled drinks, and you can store dips, vegetables, and other hors d'oeuvres right at your fingertips. 6. Bring on the games. To really turn your hosting space into a fun time, be sure to offer ample play options. For the low on space, a dart board will suffice, whereas if you’ve got a five-car garage and can’t manage to fill the space, put in a couple billiard tables. Ping pong tables are ideal for most because they’re great fun and can easily be folded up and stored. If you want to keep your guests playing until the wee hours of the morning, get an old pinball machine, a vintage arcade game, or a small Skee-Ball alley. 7. The heart of your space.Build along worktable that doubles as a table for your guests right in the center of your garage. It should be tall enough to be used while standing, although you can place a few barstools along with it. Having a table space for drinks but limited seating will encourage guests to walk around and mingle. Build it out of wood and make sure to maintain a natural finish. Don’t be afraid to rough up the work table by day. The dings and marks created while you build will only lend authenticity to the piece. 8. Install lighting. Remember, the urban industrial style is all about function and showcasing materials in their raw form. There’s no need to buy expensive floor lamps or install a fancy lighting system. The most popular lighting in these types of spaces is exposed bulb lighting. Just open up the wiring on your current lighting system and drop down some bulbs. For additional lighting, string up exposed bulb patio lights and place some vintage metal desk lamps on the tables and bar area. 9. Brand your space. Use the designs for the stuff you build by day as wall art. Blow up sketches, blueprints, schematics, and architectural drawings to hang up for decoration. Choose one wall that could use a splash of color, perhaps the wall behind your bar, and get a friend to paint a mural, or whip out the spray paint for a real urban feel. Splurge a little and get a custom neon sign made of your last name or the word “bar” to hang behind the bar. 10. The garage door. For the finishing touch, and to really wow your guests, get a brand new modern, industrial style garage door installed. Look for the window-paneled types that restaurants use, like this contemporary aluminum and glass beauty. You can leave it half open when you want to utilize your driveway-patio space. On nights when you have to close it all the way, the glass panels let your guests still look out onto the stars, making it feel like a patio space even when it’s too cold for one. Once your garage bar is up and running, put on your denim suit and get ready to call yourself the Joneses. No one will be able to keep up with you.

A clean, transitional home design. This home focuses on ample and open living spaces for the family, as well as impressive areas for hosting family and friends. The quality of materials chosen, combined with simple and understated lines throughout, creates a perfect canvas for this family’s life. Contrasting whites, blacks, and greys create a dramatic backdrop for an active and loving lifestyle.

The T40 Features: 1. SPACIOUS SHALLOW END BENCH SEAT Want to take a break from the action and hang out with some friends? This seating area is properly sized to accommodate the whole family. 2. LARGE SHALLOW END FOR SOCIALIZING AND PLAY The problem with most deep end pools is the tiny shallow end, which is where most people gather. The T40 shallow end is 30% larger than the industry standard deep end pool. 3. OPEN POOL INTERIOR Want plenty of room to float and frolic? The rectangular design of the T40 provides ample room for all of your pool activities. 4. DEEP END SEATS / EXIT POINTS When using deep end pools, people love to jump in, exit, and repeat. The deep end seats of the T40 provide a place to get in and out, as well as take a rest. 5. MASSIVE 8' 6" DEEP END Looking for lots of water? The T40 is 6" deeper than most of the fiberglass deep end pools on the market. 6. AUTOMATIC COVER FRIENDLY The rectangular design of the T40 allows cover tracks to be hidden beneath the pool coping, protecting them and keeping them out of sight. This customer has their Backyard Oasis furnished with both patio furniture, tables and loungers in addition to the shrubbery that ascetically hides the Equipment Pad. Their Pool is trimmed with Marmiro Stone Travertine Coping. It has a Slide, Basketball Hoop, Ledge Lounger Jets, and a Handicap Accessible entry point.

This Victorian-style duplex house is an ideal choice for a single-family residence, boasting ample green space for family activities and two-car parking for added convenience. Stepping through the covered front porch, you're welcomed into a spacious formal dining area, perfect for hosting gatherings. Adjacent to this is the inviting great room, complete with a cozy fireplace, offering a perfect spot for relaxation. The master bedroom is a luxurious retreat, featuring modern amenities, a walk-in closet, and a spacious master bath for ultimate comfort. Upstairs, the family room provides additional living space, catering to the needs of the whole family. The split bedroom floor plan ensures privacy, while the monolithic slab foundation ensures durability and stability. These Victorian houses seamlessly combine elegance with practicality, offering residents a comfortable and stylish living experience.

The T40 Features: 1. SPACIOUS SHALLOW END BENCH SEAT Want to take a break from the action and hang out with some friends? This seating area is properly sized to accommodate the whole family. 2. LARGE SHALLOW END FOR SOCIALIZING AND PLAY The problem with most deep end pools is the tiny shallow end, which is where most people gather. The T40 shallow end is 30% larger than the industry standard deep end pool. 3. OPEN POOL INTERIOR Want plenty of room to float and frolic? The rectangular design of the T40 provides ample room for all of your pool activities. 4. DEEP END SEATS / EXIT POINTS When using deep end pools, people love to jump in, exit, and repeat. The deep end seats of the T40 provide a place to get in and out, as well as take a rest. 5. MASSIVE 8' 6" DEEP END Looking for lots of water? The T40 is 6" deeper than most of the fiberglass deep end pools on the market. 6. AUTOMATIC COVER FRIENDLY The rectangular design of the T40 allows cover tracks to be hidden beneath the pool coping, protecting them and keeping them out of sight. This customer has their Backyard Oasis furnished with both patio furniture, tables and loungers in addition to the shrubbery that ascetically hides the Equipment Pad. Their Pool is trimmed with Marmiro Stone Travertine Coping. It has a Slide, Basketball Hoop, Ledge Lounger Jets, and a Handicap Accessible entry point.

The Monolith Features: 1. SPACIOUS SHALLOW END BENCH SEAT Want to take a break from the action and hang out with some friends? This seating area is properly sized to accommodate the whole family. 2. LARGE SHALLOW END FOR SOCIALIZING AND PLAY The problem with most deep end pools is the tiny shallow end, which is where most people gather. 3. OPEN POOL INTERIOR Want plenty of room to float and frolic? The rectangular design of the Monolith provides ample room for all of your pool activities. 4. DEEP END SEATS / EXIT POINTS When using deep end pools, people love to jump in, exit and repeat. The deep end seats of the Monolith provide a place to get in and out, as well as take a rest. 5. MASSIVE 8' 6" DEEP END Looking for lots of water? The Monolith is 6" deeper than most of the fiberglass deep end pools on the market. 6. AUTOMATIC COVER FRIENDLY The rectangular design of the Monolith allows cover tracks to be hidden beneath the pool coping, protecting them.

In this captivating kitchen and dining room design by Buffie Architect, the space showcases a harmonious blend of modern elegance and functional aesthetics. The kitchen area features sleek cabinetry that seamlessly integrates into the overall design, creating a clean and contemporary look. The countertops, clad in a luxurious marble, add a touch of opulence and timeless beauty to the space. The subtle veining of the marble adds texture and visual interest. A central island, adorned with the same elegant marble countertop, stands as a focal point in the room. Its expansive surface provides ample space for food preparation and casual dining, making it a versatile hub for culinary activities and social gatherings. The dining area, adjacent to the kitchen, boasts a stunning table that exudes elegance and sophistication. Its design features clean lines and a minimalist aesthetic, allowing it to seamlessly blend with the overall modern theme of the space. The table is accompanied by a set of chic dining chairs, providing comfort without compromising on style. One notable element in the design is the kul grilles vent covers, which are subtly integrated into the space. These vent covers serve a dual purpose of ensuring efficient air circulation while adding a touch of refinement to the room. Their sleek and understated design complements the overall aesthetic, seamlessly blending into the surrounding surfaces. Overall, this kitchen and dining room design by Buffie Architect embodies a sense of modern elegance and functionality. The combination of clean lines, luxurious materials, and thoughtful details creates a space that is visually captivating and inviting. It showcases the architect's skill in balancing artistry with practicality, resulting in a harmonious and sophisticated environment for culinary delights and memorable dining experiences.

A clean, transitional home design. This home focuses on ample and open living spaces for the family, as well as impressive areas for hosting family and friends. The quality of materials chosen, combined with simple and understated lines throughout, creates a perfect canvas for this family’s life. Contrasting whites, blacks, and greys create a dramatic backdrop for an active and loving lifestyle.

There are not many things better than a room full of your favourite people. As you gather you smell dinner cooking in the kitchen and music playing in the background, as joyful conversation and laughter fill the room. I feel so grateful that we are inching our way back to these days. How about you? The project I’m sharing with you today has beautiful moments like these at its heart. Spaces that invite people in, foster connection, and make everyday living so simple that it’s impossible not to enjoy... Meet our Delightful Clients: The family behind this 1950s North Vancouver home transformation enjoy entertaining friends just as much as cosying up to watch a movie together. A professional couple (I'll call them Jon and Anna) with two elementary school-aged sons, Anna and Jon approached us with the task of furnishing the main floor living spaces and the basement of their family home. Anna is a busy lawyer who is now working almost full time from home, and Jon works in the film industry. With full careers, two active boys, and a love of gathering, they craved a home that could support their everyday lifestyle. Design and Lifestyle Goals: Our central goal for this project was simple: to uncover the hidden potential in their home and create a family-friendly space that functioned well and flowed seamlessly. On the main floor, our clients tasked us with creating an area for the family to relax and entertain, along with crafting a work and play space for the boys. They also dreamed of a more functional and bright basement, which they envisioned as a dual purpose family room and home office for Anna. Reveal: Comfortable and Welcoming Entryway & Living Room: Imagine you are coming home, and you walk through a bright, sunny front door like this one. You are met by this entryway of calming earth and sea tones, paired with warm, natural wood flooring. You feel instantly welcomed and eager to venture further inside... The same is now true for our clients! The simple details in their entryway are thoughtfully arranged with clean lines and colourful art as the focal point, achieving a timeless and friendly aesthetic. Dried wheat brings movement into the space and plays up the beauty of nature, while the vibrant yet warm colours and textures evoke feelings of comfort and homecoming. The entry flows seamlessly into this connected living area, which is adorned with ample seating strategically arranged to host and accommodate joyful conversations. With the fireplace and wood mantel as the focal point, these natural elements and hues warm up the room to make it feel beautifully lived-in (not like an untouchable museum). Another colourful work of art graces the space above Jon’s and Anna’s sofa, and we used decorative pillows and a throw blanket to tempt those colours into the rest of the room. A simply styled coffee table keeps the space feeling open and engaged. Reading material, anyone? Just beyond this living area, you get a glimpse of the second space our clients requested on their main floor... A Collected Space for Children to Work + Play: When Jon and Anna realised that their formal dining area wasn’t being used to its full potential, they imagined creating a work and play space for their boys instead. We came up with a plan to create a shared desk area with plentiful storage. This timeless natural wood desk was the perfect way to maximise surface area and give the boys plenty of space to do homework during the school year, or spend time crafting or building LEGOs during the summers. The drawers provide storage for all the wonderful items that fuel their productivity or creativity. Or both. I also love how the white floating shelves display a collection of nostalgic toys, providing just the right amount of childhood endearment to this sophisticated and functional space. This workspace now has endless possibilities for the boys, and it helps Jon and Anna keep their minds and spaces clear, too. Which brings us to... Basement Family Room & Home Office: In general, we knew we had to maximise surface area in this ‘50s home, and this was especially true for our clients’ basement. I’m happy to say that we designed an effortlessly comfortable space that focuses on family and makes it simple to settle in and work… or leave the workday behind. Welcome to this dual-function office and family room. Toward the back of the room, we strategically positioned Anna’s wraparound desk facing out into the room and gave her a wallpaper-and-art backdrop for stunning Zoom calls (she has already received glowing compliments). There is plenty of storage for easy organization including a space to store the family’s shared printer near the door… so they don’t have to interrupt “Mom” to get to it. Anna also wanted the freedom to be able to relax in this space with her family and turn her back on the work day — quite literally! The sofa is perfectly positioned backing onto the desk allowing her to do just that. We relocated an existing mustard yellow chair and used pops of the same colour to integrate it into the overall scheme. The wood armrests on this modular sectional provide surfaces for snacks and drinks where there was no room for an end table. The walnut finish carries the theme of natural comfort from the upstairs spaces down into the family room. The view from the sectional is less business and more pleasure, featuring cosy seating and throw pillows in cheerful colours and patterns. The highlight of this space? A wallpapered accent wall where we were able to achieve the high-end feel of custom built-in shelving with a simple IKEA hack. The shelves and cabinetry around the television offer plenty of much needed storage space to house family games and movies at a budget price point. This fun room is the perfect balance of work and play, accommodating and supporting our clients’ daily family adventures. What Our Clients Had to Say... Our clients could not be happier with their warm yet functional new rooms. With thoughtful consideration and a plan of action, we were able to transform two areas of their home into spaces that function well and feel good. In fact, they had this to say: “Lori and her team were everything we were looking for: great listeners, wonderfully creative and highly professional. We couldn't be happier with our interior makeover.” — Clients That is why we do what we do. If you're ready to start your redesign project, we would love to help. Reach out to us here, and let's get to know more about each other.

This expansive backyard serves as a family's ultimate entertainment destination. Beginning with the spacious outdoor cabana, complete with a covered spa, it offers a central gathering spot for connectivity. Adjacent to the cabana, the pool provides a refreshing escape from the day's heat. To the right, a sprawling lawn offers ample space for activities from morning until night. Additionally, children can enjoy themselves with the basketball court and play structure conveniently situated along the property line. Designed with large gatherings in mind, this space promises endless enjoyment for all.

These young, active homeowners had three primary goals: 1) open the kitchen and better integrate it into the flow of the home, 2) incorporate simple and minimal cabinetry to provide ample storage without filling every inch of space, and 3) accommodate a wide and practical range of luxury appliances. Photo Credits: Vic Moss, Moss Photography

In the heart of Harpenden, a family sought to create a kitchen that was more than a cooking space; they wanted a multifunctional area tailored to their busy lifestyle. The goal was to combine functionality with a welcoming atmosphere for family and work-related activities. For this project, the chosen range was Nobilia 945 Easytouch combined with 966 Lacquered Laminate in a stunning Fjord Blue Ultra Matt finish. The worktops, supplied by Algarve Granite, were 12mm CRL Nero Natural CER104N ceramic with a Grey mirror finish, adding a sleek and contemporary edge to the kitchen. The inclusion of Siemens, Bora, Blanco, and Quooker appliances ensured the kitchen was equipped with the latest in kitchen technology, blending functionality and style seamlessly. The kitchen was designed with dedicated areas to cater to their lifestyle - a walk-in larder and large utility area were essential elements, providing ample storage and workspace. The final result is a Fjord Blue Kitchen that encapsulates the essence of modern living. The combination of Nobilia’s sleek design with practical features like the walk-in larder and high-quality appliances has created a space that meets the family’s needs and enhances their daily life.

Single story living at its finest, this 2 bedroom, 2 bath home features over 2000 square feet of first floor living space. The well-appointed kitchen which boasts a large granite island with ample seating, opens to the spacious great room and the elegant dining room. The master suite is expansive and exquisite, featuring a walk-in closet, additional closet, dressing area, and master bath. The home is flexible in its design, allowing a choice of a private study or quiet retreat off the master suite. This home has an optional second floor that offers another bedroom, loft, and full bath, adding almost 600 square feet of living space.

It’s a complete kitchen remodeling with a large island to be the gathering space for the entire family or enjoy solo for morning coffee or brunch with tools that are both attractive and comfy for hours of seated pleasure. Our kitchen experts assisted in selecting the right lighting for the kitchen to allow for ample illumination of every activity area from the food prep station to the kitchen island. We used grey mosaic tiles for the backsplash. We used Quartz white countertop with a drop-in sink. The flooring was dark brown hardwood tiles. It was a wonderful open-plan kitchen

Essential, contemporary, and inviting defines this extremely energy efficient, Energy Star certified, Passive House design-inspired home in the Pacific Northwest. Designed for an active family of four, the one-story 3 bedroom, 2 bath floor plan offers tasteful aging in place features, a strong sense of privacy, and a low profile that doesn’t impinge on the natural landscape. This house will heat itself in the dead of winter with less energy than it takes to run a hair dryer, and be sensual to live in while it does it. The forms throughout the home are simple and neutral, allowing for ample natural light, rich warm materials, and of course, room for the Guinea pigs makes this a great example of artful architecture applied to a genuine family lifestyle. This ultra energy efficient home relies on extremely high levels of insulation, air-tight detailing and construction, and the implementation of high performance, custom made European windows and doors by Zola Windows. Zola’s ThermoPlus Clad line, which boasts R-11 triple glazing and is thermally broken with a layer of patented German Purenit®, was selected for the project. Natural daylight enters both from the tilt & turn and fixed windows in the living and dining areas, and through the terrace door that leads seamlessly outside to the natural landscape. Project Designed & Built by: artisansgroup Certifications: Energy Star & Built Green Lvl 4 Photography: Art Gray of Art Gray Photography

This active family purchased their home and began remodeling before moving in. The out-dated kitchen had oak cabinets and 4" orange tile on the countertops that had to go! (see before photos) It was replaced with a light and bright eat in kitchen. The expansive island provides ample counter space not only for baking and eating, but homework and crafts. Cabinetry with convenient access to blind corners, thoughtful layout for function and storage created a kitchen that is truly the heart of their home. The laundry room is clean and fresh with larger cabinets and a relocated laundry sink under the window. The family room fireplace was also updated with new surround and custom bookcases. PHOTOS: Designer's Edge

A project collaboration with Mekastin Interiors, this project transforms a modest brick bungalow into a modern, family-oriented home that embraces both style and function. Designed for a rural property in Madawaska Valley, our clients requested a sleek, low-maintenance exterior that reflects the rural surroundings, which include a pine forest behind the house and a scenic duck pond. To honour these natural elements, the design incorporates wood timber and lattice accents, creating a balance of modern and organic materials. The layout is crafted with the family’s dynamic lifestyle in mind, offering ample spaces for both active living and quiet moments. The home features a spacious open-concept living room, dining room, and kitchen with high ceilings and large windows, designed to promote family gatherings and entertaining. The new kitchen, equipped with an island and stool seating, flows effortlessly into the great room, which includes a fireplace with a concrete slab surround and a timber mantel, tying together modern and natural design elements. The home expansion includes a larger master ensuite, an additional bedroom, and a new study for a quiet space. Practical additions such as a powder room, mudroom, large pantry, and a modern kitchen further enhance the home’s functionality. A large screened porch off the dining room and kitchen offers an extended area for entertaining guests, while a wrap-around deck with a covered section provides protection from the summer sun. The design also includes a new oversized, attached two-car garage, perfect for storing sports equipment and ensuring easy access to the home. This thoughtful renovation successfully transforms the bungalow into a stylish, functional family home that reflects both the clients’ vision and the beauty of their rural setting.