The home was a very outdated Southwest style with Aztec architectural elements, and it was time for a transformation to the beautiful modern style you see now. We ripped out all the flooring throughout, squared off and removed a lot of the Aztec styled elements in the home, redesigned the fireplace and opened up the kitchen. In the kitchen, we opened up a wall that made the kitchen feel very closed in, allowing us room to make a more linear and open kitchen. Opening up the kitchen and its new layout allowed us to create a large accent island that is truly a statement piece. Our clients hand selected every finish you see, including the rare quartzite that has beautiful pops of purple and waterfall edges. To create some contrast, the island has a pretty neutral taupe acrylic cabinetry and the perimeter has textured laminate cabinets with a fun white geometric backsplash. Our clients use their TV in their kitchen, so we created a custom built in just for their TV on the backwall. For the fireplace to now match the homes new style, we reshaped it to have sleek lines and had custom metal pieces acid washed for the center with stacked stone on the sides for texture. Enjoy!

At Muriel Ave. in Toronto, we undertook a comprehensive renovation project that focused primarily on the main floor, with additional updates to the flooring on the second floor. The main floor was transformed by removing walls to create a more open and spacious concept. This allowed for better flow and usability, enhancing the overall aesthetic and functional appeal of the home. A significant part of the renovation involved enlarging the window opening above the kitchen counter and installing a new side door. Both features were fitted with specialized European black trim windows, adding a sleek, modern touch to the space. In the living area, we installed a beautiful, modern gas fireplace that serves as a focal point, providing both warmth and ambiance. The staircase received a notable upgrade with new maple treads and a striking black aluminum railing complemented by glass panels, blending safety with contemporary design. One of the most distinctive features of this renovation is the full glass wall by the stairs, which extends to cover the opening to the basement. This not only adds a sense of openness but also allows natural light to permeate through multiple levels of the home. The kitchen was redesigned into an L-shaped layout with an island, optimizing both functionality and aesthetics. The inclusion of a brick backsplash above the stove offers a rustic yet stylish contrast to the modern kitchen fixtures. The client also chose to retain the existing powder room off to the side of the kitchen, preserving a convenient and practical feature. On the second floor, we replaced the flooring, ensuring a cohesive and modern look throughout the house. The final product of this renovation is truly stunning, showcasing an eclectic blend of new and old design elements. This project at Muriel Ave., located near the bustling intersection of Pape and Danforth, highlights our expertise and frequent work in this vibrant area. Our team is proud to deliver high-quality, customized renovations that enhance both the functionality and beauty of our clients’ homes.

Experience life in the heart of Paris Le Louvre with this bright 1-bedroom, 65 square meters apartment located on the 3rd floor of a secure residential building without an elevator. This property features a living room with a sofa bed and flat-screen TV. There is a separate dining room that can be used for eating in or as a space to work from home. We understand the importance of staying connected, which is why there is a high-speed Wi-Fi (1/Gbps) connection. The fully equipped kitchen has an electric tea kettle, sink, toaster, full refrigerator, stove, drip coffee machine, oven, microwave and more. The kitchen also comes with all the cookware, dishes and utensils needed to prepare meals at home. The apartment has a combination clothes washer and dryer. Cleaning supplies, a vacuum, broom and mop are also provided. The apartment is heated with gas heater . The bedroom is street facing and furnished with a double bed and superior quality mattress. All the necessary bedding and linens are provided and professionally laundered. This property can host up to 4 guests. The flat has one bathroom accessible via the hallway with a shower, toilet and sink. You will find soap, shampoo, toilet paper and paper towels to start off your stay. Upon confirmation of your stay, you will be provided with all the necessary details regarding the self checkin and checkout procedures. We offer 24/7 support for submit maintenance requests, extra cleanings and linen changes (for a fee) and more. Professional housekeepers clean and sanitize after each checkout. - Tuileries (line 1) or Pyramides (line 7) - A refundable deposit will be required before arrival. - All properties are strictly non-smoking. Excessive noise/parties will not be tolerated. - Property Reference 1086. Saint Honoré 3 UpperKey also offers valuable resources and information for property owners. Our article, "All You Need to Know About Letting a Property," provides comprehensive guidance on the ins and outs of renting out your property. Be sure to check it out and take the first step towards successfully letting your property with UpperKey here: https://www.theupperkey.com/post/all-you-need-to-know-about-letting-a-property

Five stars isn’t enough! Our project was to reconfigure and update the main floor of a house we recently purchased that was built in 1961. We wanted to maintain some of the unique feeling it originally had but bring it up-to-date and eliminate the closed-in rooms and downright weird layout that was the result of multiple, partial remodeling projects. We began with a long wishlist of changes which also required replacement of very antiquated plumbing, electrical wiring and HVAC. We even found a fireplace that had been walled in and needed major re-construction. Many other aspects and details on this incredible list we made included an all new kitchen layout, converting a bedroom into a master closet, adding new half-bath, completely rebuilding the master bath, and adding stone, tile and custom built cabinetry. Our design plans included many fixtures and details that we specified and required professional installation and careful handling. Innovative helped us make reasonable decisions. Their skilled staff took us through a design process that made sense. There were many questions and all were answered with sincere conversation and positive – innovation – on how we could achieve our goals. Innovative provided us with professional consultants, who listened and were courteous and creative, with solid knowledge and informative judgement. When they didn’t have an answer, they did the research. They developed a comprehensive project plan that exceeded our expectations. Every item on our long list was checked-off. All agreed on work was fulfilled and they completed all this in just under four months. Innovative took care of putting together a team of skilled professional specialists who were all dedicated to make everything right. Engineering, construction, supervision, and I cannot even begin to describe how much thanks we have for the demolition crew! Our multiple, detailed project designs from Raul and professional design advice from Mindy and the connections she recommended are all of the best quality. Diego Jr., Trevor and his team kept everything on track and neat and tidy every single day and Diego Sr., Mark, Ismael, Albert, Santiago and team are true craftsmen who follow-up and make the most minuscule woodworking details perfect. The cabinets by Tim and electrical work and installation of fixtures by Kemchan Harrilal-BB and Navindra Doolratram, and Augustine and his crew on tile and stone work – all perfection. Aisling and the office crew were always responsive to our calls and requests. And of course Clark and Eric who oversaw everything and gave us the best of the best! Apologies if we didn’t get everyone on this list – you’re all great! Thank you for your hard work and dedication. We can’t thank you enough Innovative Construction – we kind of want to do it again! Dave Hallman & Matt DeGraffenreid

Five stars isn’t enough! Our project was to reconfigure and update the main floor of a house we recently purchased that was built in 1961. We wanted to maintain some of the unique feeling it originally had but bring it up-to-date and eliminate the closed-in rooms and downright weird layout that was the result of multiple, partial remodeling projects. We began with a long wishlist of changes which also required replacement of very antiquated plumbing, electrical wiring and HVAC. We even found a fireplace that had been walled in and needed major re-construction. Many other aspects and details on this incredible list we made included an all new kitchen layout, converting a bedroom into a master closet, adding new half-bath, completely rebuilding the master bath, and adding stone, tile and custom built cabinetry. Our design plans included many fixtures and details that we specified and required professional installation and careful handling. Innovative helped us make reasonable decisions. Their skilled staff took us through a design process that made sense. There were many questions and all were answered with sincere conversation and positive – innovation – on how we could achieve our goals. Innovative provided us with professional consultants, who listened and were courteous and creative, with solid knowledge and informative judgement. When they didn’t have an answer, they did the research. They developed a comprehensive project plan that exceeded our expectations. Every item on our long list was checked-off. All agreed on work was fulfilled and they completed all this in just under four months. Innovative took care of putting together a team of skilled professional specialists who were all dedicated to make everything right. Engineering, construction, supervision, and I cannot even begin to describe how much thanks we have for the demolition crew! Our multiple, detailed project designs from Raul and professional design advice from Mindy and the connections she recommended are all of the best quality. Diego Jr., Trevor and his team kept everything on track and neat and tidy every single day and Diego Sr., Mark, Ismael, Albert, Santiago and team are true craftsmen who follow-up and make the most minuscule woodworking details perfect. The cabinets by Tim and electrical work and installation of fixtures by Kemchan Harrilal-BB and Navindra Doolratram, and Augustine and his crew on tile and stone work – all perfection. Aisling and the office crew were always responsive to our calls and requests. And of course Clark and Eric who oversaw everything and gave us the best of the best! Apologies if we didn’t get everyone on this list – you’re all great! Thank you for your hard work and dedication. We can’t thank you enough Innovative Construction – we kind of want to do it again! Dave Hallman & Matt DeGraffenreid

Recently it seems I am getting called out to an increasing number of new builds to sort out patchy grout issues. The reason why there have been so many issues arising is a bit of a mystery, but I put it down to a combination of things like poor quality grout, rushed installations, wet subfloors and the use of different batches. This recently built house in the village of Darton is a great example and in this case, I suspect two different batches of the same grout had been applied. Darton by the way is a small village in the Borough of Barnsley. Invariably these problems are picked up by the new owner on their snagging list, with the tiler long gone and the builder keen to get their final payment it is always a tricky situation to resolve. I find the best solution is to apply a Tile Doctor Grout Colourant, it’s a much quicker process than removing the old grout and replacing with new. Most new homeowners would not appreciate us ripping up their brand-new rooms and generating lots of dust in the process! Also, by using the Tile Doctor Grout Colourant it adds a barrier of the grout preventing dirt from discolouring it further down the line. Even though the house was brand new, the Porcelain Tiled floor was not looking great. The client was happy for me to go ahead and would take up the bill with the housebuilder. I first pre-treated it with Tile Doctors Grout Colourant Pre-Treatment. This removes any contamination from the grout which might affect the adhesion of the colourant and being an acid, it also etches the surface of the grout to ensure a superior bond with the colourant. The client chose our Light Grey colour which is one of 10 colours we offer. Once the pre-treatment had been applied, scrubbed, rinsed, and vacuumed away the floor was left to dry. Once dry we started applying the colourant, this is done with a small brush (a toothbrush is ideal) carefully scrubbing colourant into each grout joint and wiping off any excess that gets on the tiles before it is able to dry. Once complete the newly coloured grout lines totally transformed the floor and because the grout colorant is epoxy based the grout lines will stay stain free and never get dirty. The porcelain tiles were factory sealed so there is no need to apply a seal to the floor. I recommended the use of Tile Doctor Neutral Tile Cleaner to keep the floor in the best condition. It is pH neutral so is far less harsh on the surface than the everyday household cleaners available. It has a minty fragrance and is mild enough to use daily. They were very happy that the floor now looked as it should have from the start and was the finishing touch to their beautiful new home. Matthew Lovett South Yorkshire Tile Doctor

From cherry maple to off white finish, these shaker cabinets now reflect the style of this Atlanta craftsman home.
Eat-in kitchen - mid-sized craftsman u-shaped medium tone wood floor eat-in kitchen idea in Atlanta with a drop-in sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, granite countertops, beige backsplash, ceramic backsplash, stainless steel appliances and no island

Alise O'Brien
Example of a mountain style slate floor eat-in kitchen design in St Louis with a double-bowl sink, raised-panel cabinets, beige cabinets, granite countertops, beige backsplash, stone tile backsplash, paneled appliances and an island

Example of a transitional dark wood floor kitchen design in Denver with shaker cabinets, beige cabinets, beige backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

In this beautiful master bath, everything was completely gutted. The former version had carpet, turquoise tile everywhere and a cylinder glass block shower. The new design opens up the space. We shed the carpet for a classic tile pattern (with heated coils underneath), and squared off the shower. Custom cabinets and mirrors make up the vanity, and a freestanding tub was installed. Custom shades were also installed on all of the windows.

Clean lines and warm tones abound in this deliciously modern kitchen with hardworking stainless-steel appliances. The alder cabinetry is stained a warm honey tone. Off-white quartz countertops cap the perimeter cabinets and climb the backsplash creating a seamless look. An extra thick countertop of the same material covers the island and waterfalls to the floor on one end. A handsome hammered bronze prep sink is paired with a faucet in a gunmetal finish by Watermark Designs.

Example of a classic medium tone wood floor kitchen design in Toronto with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, gray cabinets, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

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!)

Example of a country master white tile and subway tile cement tile floor bathroom design in Los Angeles with shaker cabinets, black cabinets, a two-piece toilet and white walls

  Free ebook, Creating the Ideal Kitchen. DOWNLOAD NOW   Our clients came to us looking to do some updates to their new condo unit primarily in the kitchen and living room. The couple has a lifelong love of Arts and Crafts and Modernism, and are the co-founders of PrairieMod, an online retailer that offers timeless modern lifestyle through American made, handcrafted, and exclusively designed products. So, having such a design savvy client was super exciting for us, especially since the couple had many unique pieces of pottery and furniture to provide inspiration for the design. The condo is a large, sunny top floor unit, with a large open feel. The existing kitchen was a peninsula which housed the sink, and they wanted to change that out to an island, relocating the new sink there as well. This can sometimes be tricky with all the plumbing for the building potentially running up through one stack. After consulting with our contractor team, it was determined that our plan would likely work and after confirmation at demo, we pushed on. The new kitchen is a simple L-shaped space, featuring several storage devices for trash, trays dividers and roll out shelving. To keep the budget in check, we used semi-custom cabinetry, but added custom details including a shiplap hood with white oak detail that plays off the oak “X” endcaps at the island, as well as some of the couple’s existing white oak furniture. We also mixed metals with gold hardware and plumbing and matte black lighting that plays well with the unique black herringbone backsplash and metal barstools. New weathered oak flooring throughout the unit provides a nice soft backdrop for all the updates. We wanted to take the cabinets to the ceiling to obtain as much storage as possible, but an angled soffit on two of the walls provided a bit of a challenge. We asked our carpenter to field modify a few of the wall cabinets where necessary and now the space is truly custom. Part of the project also included a new fireplace design including a custom mantle that houses a built-in sound bar and a Panasonic Frame TV, that doubles as hanging artwork when not in use. The TV is mounted flush to the wall, and there are different finishes for the frame available. The TV can display works of art or family photos while not in use. We repeated the black herringbone tile for the fireplace surround here and installed bookshelves on either side for storage and media components. Designed by: Susan Klimala, CKD, CBD Photography by: Michael Alan Kaskel For more information on kitchen and bath design ideas go to: www.kitchenstudio-ge.com

Angela Clark
Mid-sized transitional u-shaped medium tone wood floor eat-in kitchen photo in Denver with a double-bowl sink, raised-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, granite countertops, multicolored backsplash, glass tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Brasada Ranch Resort – Meadow 1 story Cabin with Lock-offs (for rental) by Western Design International
Example of a small country master carpeted bedroom design in Other with beige walls, a standard fireplace and a tile fireplace

Mid-sized farmhouse gray two-story mixed siding exterior home photo in New York with a metal roof

AFTER photo. Beautiful off-white/greige kitchen with navy blue island. Cost-effectively update the look of your kitchen by refinishing your cabinets with Spray-Net! To provide you with superior durability and a flawless finish, we formulated a polyurethane paint for kitchen cabinets that combines the best of all worlds: the adhesion of a soft alkyd, the flexibility of a urethane and the hardness of a polyurethane. This makes our coating flexible enough to avoid cracking, hard enough to avoid chipping, smooth enough to easily wash and tough enough to block stains. All this in a low-toxicity, water-based formulation that conforms to Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturers’ Association (KMCA) standards. Our paint for kitchen cabinets is specially formulated for: laminate, melamine, thermofoil/plastic and wood kitchen cabinets. Give us a call today to book your free in-home consultation! (604) 260-4525