Steve Chenn
Enclosed kitchen - large traditional u-shaped medium tone wood floor and brown floor enclosed kitchen idea in Houston with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances, quartzite countertops and an island

Photo by David Wakely
Inspiration for a contemporary galley eat-in kitchen remodel in San Francisco with flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, glass sheet backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

richard leo johnson/atlantic archives
Family room - eclectic medium tone wood floor family room idea in Atlanta with white walls

A cozy and functional farmhouse kitchen with warm white cabinets and a rustic walnut island.
Mid-sized country l-shaped medium tone wood floor and brown floor open concept kitchen photo in DC Metro with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartz countertops, gray backsplash, porcelain backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and white countertops

Inspiration for a contemporary open concept gray floor living room remodel in Edmonton with gray walls

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Example of a beach style living room design in Melbourne

Bathroom - small 1960s master white tile and ceramic tile porcelain tile and white floor bathroom idea in Vancouver with flat-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, a two-piece toilet, white walls and wood countertops

This kitchen in Forest Acres came together around a solid granite countertop, and it's the kind of stone that does the quiet work of holding a whole room together. Granite's been the go-to for kitchen counters for decades because it earns it. It's igneous rock, formed under heat and pressure, and that history is why it laughs off the stuff a real kitchen throws at it. Hot pans, knife work, everyday spills, granite takes it and keeps looking good. We went with an eased edge on this one, which is the clean, simple line that a lot of Midlands homeowners want. It's not flashy, but that's the point. An eased edge softens the sharp corner just enough to be comfortable to lean against and easy to wipe down, and it lets the granite itself, the movement, the flecks, the depth in the stone, do the talking instead of a fussy edge profile competing for attention. Getting a countertop like this right starts before the stone ever gets cut. We template the kitchen precisely, accounting for the cabinets, the appliances, and any out-of-square walls that always show up in real houses. Then it's cut, the edges are worked by hand to get that eased profile even and consistent around every corner, and the seams, if there are any, get lined up so the pattern reads as close to continuous as we can get it. Granite doesn't forgive sloppy fabrication. Every joint and cutout has to be tight because the stone's not going anywhere once it's set. Day to day, this is a countertop that's built for actual cooking and actual life, not just for photos. Granite resists scratching, it handles heat better than almost anything else you'd put in a kitchen, and with a good sealer it shrugs off staining from wine, oil, or lemon juice. It's low maintenance once it's in, just a wipe down and, depending on the specific granite, a reseal every year or two to keep it performing at its best. Forest Acres has a good mix of older homes getting updated and newer builds going in, and granite fits both. It's a material that's stood the test of time in kitchens across the Midlands, and this one's a solid, honest example of why. Clean lines, real stone, and a countertop that's going to outlast most everything else in that kitchen.

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 kitchen in Forest Acres came together around a solid granite countertop, and it's the kind of stone that does the quiet work of holding a whole room together. Granite's been the go-to for kitchen counters for decades because it earns it. It's igneous rock, formed under heat and pressure, and that history is why it laughs off the stuff a real kitchen throws at it. Hot pans, knife work, everyday spills, granite takes it and keeps looking good. We went with an eased edge on this one, which is the clean, simple line that a lot of Midlands homeowners want. It's not flashy, but that's the point. An eased edge softens the sharp corner just enough to be comfortable to lean against and easy to wipe down, and it lets the granite itself, the movement, the flecks, the depth in the stone, do the talking instead of a fussy edge profile competing for attention. Getting a countertop like this right starts before the stone ever gets cut. We template the kitchen precisely, accounting for the cabinets, the appliances, and any out-of-square walls that always show up in real houses. Then it's cut, the edges are worked by hand to get that eased profile even and consistent around every corner, and the seams, if there are any, get lined up so the pattern reads as close to continuous as we can get it. Granite doesn't forgive sloppy fabrication. Every joint and cutout has to be tight because the stone's not going anywhere once it's set. Day to day, this is a countertop that's built for actual cooking and actual life, not just for photos. Granite resists scratching, it handles heat better than almost anything else you'd put in a kitchen, and with a good sealer it shrugs off staining from wine, oil, or lemon juice. It's low maintenance once it's in, just a wipe down and, depending on the specific granite, a reseal every year or two to keep it performing at its best. Forest Acres has a good mix of older homes getting updated and newer builds going in, and granite fits both. It's a material that's stood the test of time in kitchens across the Midlands, and this one's a solid, honest example of why. Clean lines, real stone, and a countertop that's going to outlast most everything else in that kitchen.

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