Our clients wanted to update their kitchen and create more storage space. They also needed a desk area in the kitchen and a display area for family keepsakes. With small children, they were not using the breakfast bar on the island, so we chose when redesigning the island to add storage instead of having the countertop overhang for seating. We extended the height of the cabinetry also. A desk area with 2 file drawers and mail sorting cubbies was created so the homeowners could have a place to organize their bills, charge their electronics, and pay bills. We also installed 2 plugs into the narrow bookcase to the right of the desk area with USB plugs for charging phones and tablets. Our clients chose a cherry craftsman cabinet style with simple cups and knobs in brushed stainless steel. For the countertops, Silestone Copper Mist was chosen. It is a gorgeous slate blue hue with copper flecks. To compliment this choice, I custom designed this slate backsplash using multiple colors of slate. This unique, natural stone, geometric backsplash complemented the countertops and the cabinetry style perfectly. We installed a pot filler over the cooktop and a pull-out spice cabinet to the right of the cooktop. To utilize counterspace, the microwave was installed into a wall cabinet to the right of the cooktop. We moved the sink and dishwasher into the island and placed a pull-out garbage and recycling drawer to the left of the sink. An appliance lift was also installed for a Kitchenaid mixer to be stored easily without ever having to lift it. To improve the lighting in the kitchen and great room which has a vaulted pine tongue and groove ceiling, we designed and installed hollow beams to run the electricity through from the kitchen to the fireplace. For the island we installed 3 pendants and 4 down lights to provide ample lighting at the island. All lighting was put onto dimmer switches. We installed new down lighting along the cooktop wall. For the great room, we installed track lighting and attached it to the sides of the beams and used directional lights to provide lighting for the great room and to light up the fireplace. The beautiful home in the woods, now has an updated, modern kitchen and fantastic lighting which our clients love.

2011 NARI CAPITAL COTY MERIT AWARD WINNER This couple lived in their colonial home in Burke, Virginia, for more than 20 years. Now that their children were grown and gone, it was time for them to pay more attention to their home. First on their list was to renovate their master bathroom. Tight and dysfunctional is how they described the existing space. The homeowners always dreamed of having a whirlpool, a large steam shower and a private toilet area. Importantly, they wanted to use the latest products and materials to bring the bathroom into the 21st Century. Starting with exotic granite and porcelain tile from floor to ceiling, the new design does just that. Then, a highly sophisticated steam shower using granite benches, a heavy glass enclosure, chrome faucets and a rain shower head was installed. Modern body spray heads are embedded in the wall tiles. The shower is complemented by a bubble, jetted whirlpool tub with granite surrounds. A modern double vanity with vessel sinks, a granite countertop, high end cabinets and stylish faucets rest along one wall. Custom-built, recessed mirrored medicine cabinets provide storage for necessities. In the end, the homeowners are thrilled with the outcome and never imagined that their old and dark looking small bath could ever be transformed into such beautiful bathroom.

2011 NARI CAPITAL COTY MERIT AWARD WINNER This couple lived in their colonial home in Burke, Virginia, for more than 20 years. Now that their children were grown and gone, it was time for them to pay more attention to their home. First on their list was to renovate their master bathroom. Tight and dysfunctional is how they described the existing space. The homeowners always dreamed of having a whirlpool, a large steam shower and a private toilet area. Importantly, they wanted to use the latest products and materials to bring the bathroom into the 21st Century. Starting with exotic granite and porcelain tile from floor to ceiling, the new design does just that. Then, a highly sophisticated steam shower using granite benches, a heavy glass enclosure, chrome faucets and a rain shower head was installed. Modern body spray heads are embedded in the wall tiles. The shower is complemented by a bubble, jetted whirlpool tub with granite surrounds. A modern double vanity with vessel sinks, a granite countertop, high end cabinets and stylish faucets rest along one wall. Custom-built, recessed mirrored medicine cabinets provide storage for necessities. In the end, the homeowners are thrilled with the outcome and never imagined that their old and dark looking small bath could ever be transformed into such beautiful bathroom.

Our clients wanted to update their kitchen and create more storage space. They also needed a desk area in the kitchen and a display area for family keepsakes. With small children, they were not using the breakfast bar on the island, so we chose when redesigning the island to add storage instead of having the countertop overhang for seating. We extended the height of the cabinetry also. A desk area with 2 file drawers and mail sorting cubbies was created so the homeowners could have a place to organize their bills, charge their electronics, and pay bills. We also installed 2 plugs into the narrow bookcase to the right of the desk area with USB plugs for charging phones and tablets. Our clients chose a cherry craftsman cabinet style with simple cups and knobs in brushed stainless steel. For the countertops, Silestone Copper Mist was chosen. It is a gorgeous slate blue hue with copper flecks. To compliment this choice, I custom designed this slate backsplash using multiple colors of slate. This unique, natural stone, geometric backsplash complemented the countertops and the cabinetry style perfectly. We installed a pot filler over the cooktop and a pull-out spice cabinet to the right of the cooktop. To utilize counterspace, the microwave was installed into a wall cabinet to the right of the cooktop. We moved the sink and dishwasher into the island and placed a pull-out garbage and recycling drawer to the left of the sink. An appliance lift was also installed for a Kitchenaid mixer to be stored easily without ever having to lift it. To improve the lighting in the kitchen and great room which has a vaulted pine tongue and groove ceiling, we designed and installed hollow beams to run the electricity through from the kitchen to the fireplace. For the island we installed 3 pendants and 4 down lights to provide ample lighting at the island. All lighting was put onto dimmer switches. We installed new down lighting along the cooktop wall. For the great room, we installed track lighting and attached it to the sides of the beams and used directional lights to provide lighting for the great room and to light up the fireplace. The beautiful home in the woods, now has an updated, modern kitchen and fantastic lighting which our clients love.

This 7,500 square feet home, situated on a waterfront site in Sag Harbor, New York, was designed as a shared vacation home for four brothers and their families. A collaborative effort between the clients and Cecil Baker + Partners yielded a contemporary home that pays homage to the Eastern Long Island vernacular. The home is composed of three distinct volumes that step back from one another to optimize both the water view and privacy. The two outer wings take on familiar cedar-clad, pitched roof geometry while the central three-story glass box links them together and anchors the home. The two car garage, with a private living space above, projects from the main house via a breezeway, defining a private garden. The interior of the home integrates warm, tactile materials and clean modern lines. The use of full-height windows, floor-to-ceiling glass curtain wall, and an operable overhead glass door creates an indoor-outdoor living experience and floods the home with natural light. The subtle choreography of the interior space lends flexibility to the Client for both social and private uses of the home. The first floor contains an open plan for the kitchen, living room, dining area and sunroom, and the second floor includes two full master suites facing the bay, a guest room with spectacular water views, and a children's room that overlooks the garden. The fully finished basement holds a large playroom, a gym, a full spa bath and a wine cellar. In addition, views in all directions are unobstructed from a third floor roof terrace. Michael Grimm Photography

This 7,500 square feet home, situated on a waterfront site in Sag Harbor, New York, was designed as a shared vacation home for four brothers and their families. A collaborative effort between the clients and Cecil Baker + Partners yielded a contemporary home that pays homage to the Eastern Long Island vernacular. The home is composed of three distinct volumes that step back from one another to optimize both the water view and privacy. The two outer wings take on familiar cedar-clad, pitched roof geometry while the central three-story glass box links them together and anchors the home. The two car garage, with a private living space above, projects from the main house via a breezeway, defining a private garden. The interior of the home integrates warm, tactile materials and clean modern lines. The use of full-height windows, floor-to-ceiling glass curtain wall, and an operable overhead glass door creates an indoor-outdoor living experience and floods the home with natural light. The subtle choreography of the interior space lends flexibility to the Client for both social and private uses of the home. The first floor contains an open plan for the kitchen, living room, dining area and sunroom, and the second floor includes two full master suites facing the bay, a guest room with spectacular water views, and a children's room that overlooks the garden. The fully finished basement holds a large playroom, a gym, a full spa bath and a wine cellar. In addition, views in all directions are unobstructed from a third floor roof terrace. Michael Grimm Photography

Our clients wanted to update their kitchen and create more storage space. They also needed a desk area in the kitchen and a display area for family keepsakes. With small children, they were not using the breakfast bar on the island, so we chose when redesigning the island to add storage instead of having the countertop overhang for seating. We extended the height of the cabinetry also. A desk area with 2 file drawers and mail sorting cubbies was created so the homeowners could have a place to organize their bills, charge their electronics, and pay bills. We also installed 2 plugs into the narrow bookcase to the right of the desk area with USB plugs for charging phones and tablets. Our clients chose a cherry craftsman cabinet style with simple cups and knobs in brushed stainless steel. For the countertops, Silestone Copper Mist was chosen. It is a gorgeous slate blue hue with copper flecks. To compliment this choice, I custom designed this slate backsplash using multiple colors of slate. This unique, natural stone, geometric backsplash complemented the countertops and the cabinetry style perfectly. We installed a pot filler over the cooktop and a pull-out spice cabinet to the right of the cooktop. To utilize counterspace, the microwave was installed into a wall cabinet to the right of the cooktop. We moved the sink and dishwasher into the island and placed a pull-out garbage and recycling drawer to the left of the sink. An appliance lift was also installed for a Kitchenaid mixer to be stored easily without ever having to lift it. To improve the lighting in the kitchen and great room which has a vaulted pine tongue and groove ceiling, we designed and installed hollow beams to run the electricity through from the kitchen to the fireplace. For the island we installed 3 pendants and 4 down lights to provide ample lighting at the island. All lighting was put onto dimmer switches. We installed new down lighting along the cooktop wall. For the great room, we installed track lighting and attached it to the sides of the beams and used directional lights to provide lighting for the great room and to light up the fireplace. The beautiful home in the woods, now has an updated, modern kitchen and fantastic lighting which our clients love.

2011 NARI CAPITAL COTY MERIT AWARD WINNER This couple lived in their colonial home in Burke, Virginia, for more than 20 years. Now that their children were grown and gone, it was time for them to pay more attention to their home. First on their list was to renovate their master bathroom. Tight and dysfunctional is how they described the existing space. The homeowners always dreamed of having a whirlpool, a large steam shower and a private toilet area. Importantly, they wanted to use the latest products and materials to bring the bathroom into the 21st Century. Starting with exotic granite and porcelain tile from floor to ceiling, the new design does just that. Then, a highly sophisticated steam shower using granite benches, a heavy glass enclosure, chrome faucets and a rain shower head was installed. Modern body spray heads are embedded in the wall tiles. The shower is complemented by a bubble, jetted whirlpool tub with granite surrounds. A modern double vanity with vessel sinks, a granite countertop, high end cabinets and stylish faucets rest along one wall. Custom-built, recessed mirrored medicine cabinets provide storage for necessities. In the end, the homeowners are thrilled with the outcome and never imagined that their old and dark looking small bath could ever be transformed into such beautiful bathroom.

This house was built in 1899, the oldest on the block, and once the Rugby School for Boys. The goal was to blend the owner’s formal taste with comfortable functionality for a family with three small children. The result is a space that combines color and pattern and just the right amount of modern while paying homage to the home’s history. We incorporated new designs, family heirlooms, antiques and refinished furniture to create a space that looks collected over time, rather than furnished from scratch over the course of a year.

This house was built in 1899, the oldest on the block, and once the Rugby School for Boys. The goal was to blend the owner’s formal taste with comfortable functionality for a family with three small children. The result is a space that combines color and pattern and just the right amount of modern while paying homage to the home’s history. We incorporated new designs, family heirlooms, antiques and refinished furniture to create a space that looks collected over time, rather than furnished from scratch over the course of a year.

Our clients wanted to update their kitchen and create more storage space. They also needed a desk area in the kitchen and a display area for family keepsakes. With small children, they were not using the breakfast bar on the island, so we chose when redesigning the island to add storage instead of having the countertop overhang for seating. We extended the height of the cabinetry also. A desk area with 2 file drawers and mail sorting cubbies was created so the homeowners could have a place to organize their bills, charge their electronics, and pay bills. We also installed 2 plugs into the narrow bookcase to the right of the desk area with USB plugs for charging phones and tablets. Our clients chose a cherry craftsman cabinet style with simple cups and knobs in brushed stainless steel. For the countertops, Silestone Copper Mist was chosen. It is a gorgeous slate blue hue with copper flecks. To compliment this choice, I custom designed this slate backsplash using multiple colors of slate. This unique, natural stone, geometric backsplash complemented the countertops and the cabinetry style perfectly. We installed a pot filler over the cooktop and a pull-out spice cabinet to the right of the cooktop. To utilize counterspace, the microwave was installed into a wall cabinet to the right of the cooktop. We moved the sink and dishwasher into the island and placed a pull-out garbage and recycling drawer to the left of the sink. An appliance lift was also installed for a Kitchenaid mixer to be stored easily without ever having to lift it. To improve the lighting in the kitchen and great room which has a vaulted pine tongue and groove ceiling, we designed and installed hollow beams to run the electricity through from the kitchen to the fireplace. For the island we installed 3 pendants and 4 down lights to provide ample lighting at the island. All lighting was put onto dimmer switches. We installed new down lighting along the cooktop wall. For the great room, we installed track lighting and attached it to the sides of the beams and used directional lights to provide lighting for the great room and to light up the fireplace. The beautiful home in the woods, now has an updated, modern kitchen and fantastic lighting which our clients love.

This house was built in 1899, the oldest on the block, and once the Rugby School for Boys. The goal was to blend the owner’s formal taste with comfortable functionality for a family with three small children. The result is a space that combines color and pattern and just the right amount of modern while paying homage to the home’s history. We incorporated new designs, family heirlooms, antiques and refinished furniture to create a space that looks collected over time, rather than furnished from scratch over the course of a year.

This house was built in 1899, the oldest on the block, and once the Rugby School for Boys. The goal was to blend the owner’s formal taste with comfortable functionality for a family with three small children. The result is a space that combines color and pattern and just the right amount of modern while paying homage to the home’s history. We incorporated new designs, family heirlooms, antiques and refinished furniture to create a space that looks collected over time, rather than furnished from scratch over the course of a year.

This 7,500 square feet home, situated on a waterfront site in Sag Harbor, New York, was designed as a shared vacation home for four brothers and their families. A collaborative effort between the clients and Cecil Baker + Partners yielded a contemporary home that pays homage to the Eastern Long Island vernacular. The home is composed of three distinct volumes that step back from one another to optimize both the water view and privacy. The two outer wings take on familiar cedar-clad, pitched roof geometry while the central three-story glass box links them together and anchors the home. The two car garage, with a private living space above, projects from the main house via a breezeway, defining a private garden. The interior of the home integrates warm, tactile materials and clean modern lines. The use of full-height windows, floor-to-ceiling glass curtain wall, and an operable overhead glass door creates an indoor-outdoor living experience and floods the home with natural light. The subtle choreography of the interior space lends flexibility to the Client for both social and private uses of the home. The first floor contains an open plan for the kitchen, living room, dining area and sunroom, and the second floor includes two full master suites facing the bay, a guest room with spectacular water views, and a children's room that overlooks the garden. The fully finished basement holds a large playroom, a gym, a full spa bath and a wine cellar. In addition, views in all directions are unobstructed from a third floor roof terrace. Michael Grimm Photography

This house was built in 1899, the oldest on the block, and once the Rugby School for Boys. The goal was to blend the owner’s formal taste with comfortable functionality for a family with three small children. The result is a space that combines color and pattern and just the right amount of modern while paying homage to the home’s history. We incorporated new designs, family heirlooms, antiques and refinished furniture to create a space that looks collected over time, rather than furnished from scratch over the course of a year.

The clients desired a traditional Maine camp, updated to accommodate multi-generational gatherings, on this lakefront property in the family since 1898. The upland side is marked by a stair tower which provides a beacon for approaching guests, natural ventilation and a lookout/play space for children, On the lake side a large wrap around porch with dormers above pays homage to a previous camp on the site. Inside, fine craftsmanship highlights the post & beam details, extensive wainscot and reclaimed oak floors.

We met Sawyer Greenfield recently and were getting ready to announce him and his two brothers, Carter Wayne & Peter, as the Savvy Giving by Design - Ozarks (based in Bentonville, Arkansas) next recipient family any day. He's a little fighter and has already had to fight since December of 2018 when he was diagnosed with HLH, a rare severe systemic inflammatory syndrome. Treatment involved chemo (although HLH isn't cancer) and steroids over several months. He was finally given the thumbs up in May to finish treatment and be considered in remission. Then, while not feeling well at the end of June 2019, a routine check of how his blood work was looking turned into a diagnosis of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. The prior HLH he had been treated for was actually masking the leukemia and when treatment ended it allowed the leukemia to spread quickly. He's now AGAIN facing treatment to fight harder than ever and his family is reeling with the news. There are no words to say how we feel for this amazing family right now!! Our aching hearts are holding on to the fact that Sawyer will be able to enjoy his new room while he goes through all that lies ahead of at least 2 years of treatment. Sawyer loves legos & minecraft so we are busy creating a design plan that blends those hobbies in a room he can grow with. We're asking for your help and support to make these rooms as special as the boys themselves. Be on the lookout for fund a needs in our Facebook Group Page as all the design selections are made and if you are moved to, please make a donation now to help us pay for some of the labor and materials we will need to pull it all together. The paypal link for our chapter is PayPal.Me/sgbdozarks and all donations are 100% used for the makeovers of children in our area and tax deductible.

Modern style wardrobe and cabinet integrated payfully in the children room with a desk. You can sit, play read and store.
Example of a trendy kids' room design in Amsterdam

This penthouse condo in Raven Woods is home to an adventurous, nature-loving couple. With their children grown and starting families of their own, Jeremy and Cynthia (names changed) chose to downsize their livable space and “upsize” in quality and luxury. The couple hired us to help them achieve several well-defined goals: feeling immersed and connected to nature, having warm and welcoming spaces to host their family and friends, and selecting pieces that would support local makers and artisans. (If you know me, you know that nature, connection, and community are some of my most important values, personally and professionally — the perfect fit!) Using our comprehensive design process, we spent months designing, procuring, and installing their new, long-time home. The resulting spaces are breathtaking, creating a daily living experience that is full of serenity and bliss. Welcoming & Bright Home with Forest Views: Ahhh… can you imagine coming home to a space as bright and soothing as this one? To find inspiration for this home’s interiors, we needed to look no further than out the windows, where mountain views greet us to the north and the ocean beckons from the south. Paying homage to their locale, we curated a colour palette of subtle blues and grays, warm-toned woods, and natural materials, all set against a crisp, white backdrop. These help us create a seamless visual transition between the interior and exterior. Let’s start our tour in the living area… A Cozy Living Area with Warmth & Dimension: In the living area, the fireplace was the starting point for the design, as it determined the size of the space and the scale of our furnishings. To keep this area feeling cozy but not crowded, we selected this soft ottoman to serve as a table surface with a tray or as additional seating when Jeremy and Cynthia host guests. (Multi-purpose items are one of the 5 elements of The Simple Home.) Additional textures — the sofa, upholstered swivel chairs, pillows, and ceramic wall art reminiscent of sand dollars — offer further depth and dimension in this simple yet layered space. The result is a cozy living room area perfect for a relaxing read on an overcast day or a social evening by the fire. While daunting at first, this home’s small and open footprint offered a special opportunity for us to design thoughtful “zones”. To create a defined living space, we used an area rug to establish a border and situated the larger seating (the sofa) on the right. Its visual weight serves as a grounding barrier that naturally separates the living and dining areas. Overhead, the centrally located brass and glass chandelier serves as another focal point, making the entire living area feel like one unit. Last but not least… Styled with tall decorative lamps, this light oak and rattan console sits just behind the sofa, creating an additional visual barrier between the living and dining areas. We styled it with accessories that complement the overall palette, and it has the added benefit of providing storage right where Jeremy and Cynthia need it, the dining area. An Art-Infused Dining Area: The dining area is warm, woodsy, and filled with locally sourced art that Jeremy and Cynthia love. Next to the console is a custom textile piece from Vancouver artist, With Strings Attached, that mimics the scenic, mountain backdrop. The blue hues of the piece work in harmony with the warm wood dining table, cool gray upholstered chairs, and neutral stools at the kitchen bar. On the other side of the space, is Jeremy’s and Cynthia’s favourite piece, a commissioned work of art by local maker, Katie Napier. Carefully positioned in a central location and framed by two modern sconces, this piece captures the feel of gentle waters on a misty day and evokes calm. Other curated pieces include this rectangular vessel centrepiece by sculptural artist, Martha Sturdy, bearing a stunning moss arrangement by Soul Roots Moss Art. As this couple can attest, a treasured memento or piece of art can transform your space and your mood, transporting you to a relaxed and peaceful state. A Bedroom Full of Light & Texture: This beautiful bedroom is another manifestation of Jeremy and Cynthia’s favourite experiences: hiking the rainforest trails and enjoying the spray of the sea. The blue-and-green branching pattern found in the window treatments and pillows ground the space, while bright turquoise lamps — akin to sea glass — infuse the room with a touch of coastal vibrance. Similar to the living area, we added comfort through texture and warm tones, incorporating oak end tables, natural woven wall decor above the headboard, knitted ottomans at the foot of the bed, a textured duvet, and an extra plush area rug. A Loft Inspired by Flora & Fauna: For the loft space, we moved away from coastal elements and decided to ground the space in the more earthy elements of nature: flora and fauna. We selected an umber-hued sofa complemented by floral decorative pillows and walls adorned with botanical prints by Heather Johnston. This multi-purpose space serves as a reprieve for our clients to read, practice yoga, and relax. Alternatively, a Frame TV intentionally meant to blend as art allows the space to function as a secondary entertainment space or a place for their granddaughter to play and sleep over. Praise from Our Clients: This home’s small footprint pushed us to be more resourceful in our furniture sourcing and more creative in our space planning. The result is a home as livable, beautiful, and intentional as any larger home would be. Most importantly, Jeremy and Cynthia love it! “Lori listened to our love of nature and designed our condo reflecting that love. It is beautiful, serene, and welcoming. We couldn't be happier.” If you’re ready to uncover the hidden potential in your home, that is what we do best. Contact us here or download our complimentary guide below to discover more.