A couple relocating to Lisbon found a property in a recently upgraded building with open layouts and modernized features. Our studio was entrusted to bring elegant comfort to the interior with carefully curated, custom-designed furniture and decor. From a blank canvas, the home was enlivened with walnut furnishings by Portuguese producers, warm-hued textiles in botanical motifs, and accents of delicate brass lighting. The entryway leads toward a spacious living room, where hand-woven rugs delineate areas for different activities. The first features a dining collection with upholstered shell chairs that comfortably envelop end-of-evening conversation. Midway, a daybed and display shelving system nestled under the lowered ceiling offer an intimate, yet versatile space. Stepping into the lounge, theatrical curtains reveal the pastel medley of Lisbon’s built landscape, the river, and hills in the distance. The dialogue of the room continues around a multi-tiered center table and featherweight pendant: a Brazilian modernist armchair faces a bespoke tufted-leather sofa, its throw cushions tailored to the palette of the media cabinet. Outside, the balcony’s slate lacquered dining set caters to convivial meals. Private appreciation is found in a pair of leisurely chairs adjacent to the bedroom, with a side table quoting the terracotta background. The main suite is endued with a crafted spindle bed dressed in deep blue linens and a lively made-to-measure embroidered bedspread. White Estremoz marble nightstands were designed to organize reading material and provide cable management. Circular ceramic lamps and bedside tables complement an ample upholstered bed to accommodate guests, and a floating console offers a discreet solution for remote meetings.

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.

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

Sometimes we like it traditional! This family that is very active in their community, needed a kitchen that will endure a lot of traffic, and have ample storage for oversized cookware and serving pieces, to be able to accommodate the weekly Shabbos Kiddish that they host. Can you spot the hiding place for the huge cholont pot?

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

Context After retiring from their careers in New Jersey, an active professional couple decided to move to Vermont to be closer to their family. They wanted to take advantage of the opportunity to sensibly plan for the future by building a sunlit home in which they could comfortably age in place with predictable, low energy costs through the harsh Vermont winter. A spacious, open lot near a historic river village provided the perfect backdrop for the couple’s favorite hobbies: gardening, woodworking, and yoga. The couple’s son, owner of Shelterwood Construction, would have the chance to showcase his meticulous craftsmanship in a home lovingly built for his parents. Response The home was built using very local natural materials that blend into the surrounding landscape. Cor-ten steel weathered clapboards transition from the earth to the wood clapboards above and the entire exterior has no finish, allowing the house to change and weather with the seasons. Many of the interior finishes, including the decorative stair wall, were made from locally-milled white pine that was harvested from the site. This certified Passive House is designed to be lived in for a lifetime with wheelchair accessibility, wide doorways, accessible fixtures, and everything the couple needs located on the main level. Framed by large south-facing windows, the light-filled main living area includes a lofted ceiling transected with a glass bridge that connects the guest bedrooms above and looks out onto the garden and fruit trees below. The attached barn, which creates a courtyard for gardens, houses a yoga studio and woodworking shop. With an ample array of solar panels and airtight construction to keep the heat in, the house is predicted to be net zero with no energy bills even in the coldest of Vermont winters. A Tesla Powerwall stores backup electricity for this all-electric home.

Caroline and Rich's backyard was lacking any clearly defined spaces for their many expected outdoor activities. Their new hot tub deck and surrounding built in seating create a space to soak in the their new hot tub and for friends and family to gather around the soakers without getting wet themselves. Space to heat up after a dip when in their windy backyard was necessary too, thus the space for a firetable and added seating flank a large deck-topped boulder feature. The family's new outdoor dining pavillion has ample space for large group get together, as well as serving for everyday lunches without having to shift any of the outdoor office setup. A built in grill and bench create an ideal stopping point for this structure, which is built right up to a rear utility easement. Fortunately only a bit of upligthing is needed to perfect a grove of existing bamboo that fills the space between this backstop and their back fence!

This colonial-style duplex home offers a blend of simplicity and functionality, making it an ideal space for both living and recreation. Its rectangular shape maximizes space efficiency, while a screened front porch provides a welcoming entrance. The rear features three-car garages for added convenience. Inside, the foyer leads to a formal living room with a fireplace, a library, and a formal dining room, all seamlessly connected to the kitchen and butler's pantry. The minimalist theme carries through to the kitchen island. The master bedroom boasts a walk-in wardrobe and an ensuite bathroom with a separate tub and shower, plus double vanity sinks. The main floor also includes a futuristic powder room, a keeping room, and access to the patio and lanai at the back. Upstairs, three more bedrooms, four baths, a utility space, storage, and a media room offer ample options for leisure activities. Overall, this home offers convenience and affordability without compromising on amenities.

This remodeled kitchen features a modern and spacious design with high-quality materials and sleek finishes. The layout showcases warm wood cabinetry that provides ample storage space and complements the stainless steel appliances, including a large double-door refrigerator and a high-end gas stove with red accents on the knobs. The countertops are a mix of polished stone and marble, enhancing the visual appeal of the kitchen while providing a durable surface for cooking and meal preparation. The backsplash behind the stove area is a unique textured design in a light gray pattern, adding a contemporary touch to the space. The central area of the kitchen is well-lit, thanks to recessed ceiling lights and a large window above the sink, which allows natural light to pour in. A modern pendant light fixture hangs above the countertop, illuminating the surrounding area and contributing to the elegant atmosphere. The kitchen’s open layout ensures smooth traffic flow and makes it easy to transition between cooking, dining, and entertaining. The overall aesthetic is both functional and inviting, making it a perfect place for family gatherings and culinary activities

A couple relocating to Lisbon found a property in a recently upgraded building with open layouts and modernized features. Our studio was entrusted to bring elegant comfort to the interior with carefully curated, custom-designed furniture and decor. From a blank canvas, the home was enlivened with walnut furnishings by Portuguese producers, warm-hued textiles in botanical motifs, and accents of delicate brass lighting. The entryway leads toward a spacious living room, where hand-woven rugs delineate areas for different activities. The first features a dining collection with upholstered shell chairs that comfortably envelop end-of-evening conversation. Midway, a daybed and display shelving system nestled under the lowered ceiling offer an intimate, yet versatile space. Stepping into the lounge, theatrical curtains reveal the pastel medley of Lisbon’s built landscape, the river, and hills in the distance. The dialogue of the room continues around a multi-tiered center table and featherweight pendant: a Brazilian modernist armchair faces a bespoke tufted-leather sofa, its throw cushions tailored to the palette of the media cabinet. Outside, the balcony’s slate lacquered dining set caters to convivial meals. Private appreciation is found in a pair of leisurely chairs adjacent to the bedroom, with a side table quoting the terracotta background. The main suite is endued with a crafted spindle bed dressed in deep blue linens and a lively made-to-measure embroidered bedspread. White Estremoz marble nightstands were designed to organize reading material and provide cable management. Circular ceramic lamps and bedside tables complement an ample upholstered bed to accommodate guests, and a floating console offers a discreet solution for remote meetings.

This home remodel for a young family with toddlers focused on creating a modern, open-concept design with a neutral color palette. The interior features a spacious layout for easy movement, ample natural light, and sleek, minimalist finishes. Outside, we designed a safe, engaging space with a play area, garden, and comfortable seating, all tailored to support an active family lifestyle. Safety and functionality were prioritized with child-proofing, eco-friendly materials, and smart storage solutions, creating a beautiful, family-friendly environment that grows with the family.

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.

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 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

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

This remodeled kitchen features a modern and spacious design with high-quality materials and sleek finishes. The layout showcases warm wood cabinetry that provides ample storage space and complements the stainless steel appliances, including a large double-door refrigerator and a high-end gas stove with red accents on the knobs. The countertops are a mix of polished stone and marble, enhancing the visual appeal of the kitchen while providing a durable surface for cooking and meal preparation. The backsplash behind the stove area is a unique textured design in a light gray pattern, adding a contemporary touch to the space. The central area of the kitchen is well-lit, thanks to recessed ceiling lights and a large window above the sink, which allows natural light to pour in. A modern pendant light fixture hangs above the countertop, illuminating the surrounding area and contributing to the elegant atmosphere. The kitchen’s open layout ensures smooth traffic flow and makes it easy to transition between cooking, dining, and entertaining. The overall aesthetic is both functional and inviting, making it a perfect place for family gatherings and culinary activities.

The rich cherry cabinets and creamy natural stone create a traditional statement, while maintaining a light and bright overall feel. The stacked cabinets have glass inserts at the top which allows the cabinets to extend to the ceiling without feeling top heavy. The marble backsplash is complimented by glass tile accents that add to the space without overwhelming it. The glass brings a bit of whimsy to the overall traditional space. The large windows and patio doors bring in a great presence of natural light and take advantage of the sweeping ocean views. High end appliances, including a wine cooler and an induction cook top allow this family to cook with ease. Ample storage and counter space allow for large gatherings of family and friends, or just a quiet evening at home.

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.