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!)

curbless shower with splash wall
Example of a small cottage 3/4 white tile and porcelain tile mosaic tile floor, white floor and single-sink walk-in shower design in New York with recessed-panel cabinets, black cabinets, a one-piece toilet, white walls, an undermount sink, quartz countertops, white countertops and a built-in vanity

This immaculate home has increased square footage and value due to the new carriage house and additions. In order to keep in step with everything this prestigious home currently has to offer we have incorporated the carriage house. The carriage house has additional space in back through the double doors and we have matched the exterior of the main house perfectly with cedar shakes and exterior corresponding brick. Be sure to notice the custom carpentry on the ceiling, columns and crown molding as you view the picture of the beautiful breezeway. No detail will be left unnoticed as friends and family walk along the custom concrete creation from the carriage house to the main house. The classic new entryway is so welcoming as you enter the main house though the wooden framed glass doors continuing up the stairs to the main floor.

Inspiration for a large transitional galley light wood floor utility room remodel in San Francisco with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, gray cabinets, quartz countertops, white backsplash, quartz backsplash, white walls, a side-by-side washer/dryer and white countertops

Completely remodeled beach house with an open floor plan, beautiful light wood floors and an amazing view of the water. After walking through the entry with the open living room on the right you enter the expanse with the sitting room at the left and the family room to the right. The original double sided fireplace is updated by removing the interior walls and adding a white on white shiplap and brick combination separated by a custom wood mantle the wraps completely around. Continue through the family room to the kitchen with a large island and an amazing dining area. The blue island and the wood ceiling beam add warmth to this white on white coastal design. The shiplap hood with the custom wood band tie the shiplap ceiling and the wood ceiling beam together to complete the design.

Mark Hoyle Originally, this 3700 SF two level eclectic farmhouse from the mid 1980’s underwent design changes to reflect a more colonial style. Now, after being completely renovated with additional 2800 SF living space, it’s combined total of 6500 SF boasts an Energy Star certification of 5 stars. Approaching this completed home, you will meander along a new driveway through the dense buffer of trees until you reach the clearing, and then circle a tiered fountain on axis with the front entry accentuating the symmetrical main structure. Many of the exterior changes included enclosing the front porch and rear screened porch, replacing windows, replacing all the vinyl siding with and fiber cement siding, creating a new front stoop with winding brick stairs and wrought iron railings as will as other additions to the left and rear of the home. The existing interior was completely fro the studs and included modifying uses of many of the existing rooms such as converting the original dining room into an oval shaped theater with reclining theater seats, fiber-optic starlight ceiling and an 80” television with built-in surround sound. The laundry room increased in size by taking in the porch and received all new cabinets and finishes. The screened porch across the back of the house was enclosed to create a new dining room, enlarged the kitchen, all of which allows for a commanding view of the beautifully landscaped pool. The upper master suite begins by entering a private office then leads to a newly vaulted bedroom, a new master bathroom with natural light and an enlarged closet. The major portion of the addition space was added to the left side as a part time home for the owner’s brother. This new addition boasts an open plan living, dining and kitchen, a master suite with a luxurious bathroom and walk–in closet, a guest suite, a garage and its own private gated brick courtyard entry and direct access to the well appointed pool patio. And finally the last part of the project is the sunroom and new lagoon style pool. Tucked tightly against the rear of the home. This room was created to feel like a gazebo including a metal roof and stained wood ceiling, the foundation of this room was constructed with the pool to insure the look as if it is floating on the water. The pool’s negative edge opposite side allows open views of the trees beyond. There is a natural stone waterfall on one side of the pool and a shallow area on the opposite side for lounge chairs to be placed in it along with a hot tub that spills into the pool. The coping completes the pool’s natural shape and continues to the patio utilizing the same stone but separated by Zoysia grass keeping the natural theme. The finishing touches to this backyard oasis is completed utilizing large boulders, Tempest Torches, architectural lighting and abundant variety of landscaping complete the oasis for all to enjoy.

A small guest bath can easily be elevated to the status of a second master with quality design and materials.
Bathroom - contemporary bathroom idea in Dallas with dark wood cabinets and quartz countertops

This bathroom that is right off the gym, would also be used by family and guests using other areas of the basement, so we wanted to continue the look and feel of the rest of the basement and other bathrooms in the home.

Open plan _ powder / shower rooms. Wooden floor look porcelain tile wall / floor. Two contemporary adjustable hand showers. White Shaker variant vanity cabinets. Caesarstone counter top / backsplash. Niche shelves ( recessed shelves). Lots of grab bars. Shower benches. Linear drain. Rain tile.

The owner’s suite continues the contemporary styling with a mirroraccented headboard contrasted by rustic carved tables and a metallic-toned dresser. The suite offers a walk-in closet and a bathroom with a garden tub, glassenclosed tile shower, and a vanity with his-and-her sinks.

A once small enclosed Jack and Jill bathroom that was connected to the master bedroom and to the hallway completely rebuilt to become the master bathroom as part of an open floor design with the master bedroom. 2 walk-in closets (his and hers) with frosted glass bi-fold doors, the wood flooring of the master bedroom continues into the bathroom space, a nice sized 72" wall mounted vanity wood finish vanity picks up the wood grains of the floor and a huge side to side LED mirror gives a great depth effect. The huge master shower can easily accommodate 2 people with dark bamboo printed porcelain tile for the floor and bench and a light gray stripped rectangular tiled walls gives an additional feeling of space.

David Duncan Livingston
Transitional galley medium tone wood floor open concept kitchen photo in San Francisco with shaker cabinets, gray cabinets, white backsplash, stone slab backsplash and an island

While retaining the existing footprint, our clients wanted to update their current master bathroom to integrate their walk-in closet. A unique design approach was utilized to incorporate mixed materials and color tones. Creating a wooden half-wall separator complete with a double toilet paper holder and storage area provided a functional visual barrier. An 11ft. white shaker style vanity was coordinated with white Carrera marble, double rectangular sinks, brushed nickel faucets, and jeweled knobs. The custom shower area was fabricated to include rectangular and hexagon tile, a large shower seat, double niches, and a rain handheld shower system. The clear custom shower door was designed to encompass the shower seat and low step threshold in order to maintain design continuity. Rounding out the cool tones throughout, the main bathroom floor tile was selected in the same color pattern as all the shower tiles.

Photography Credit: Mark Gebhardt
Large transitional master gray tile and porcelain tile porcelain tile and beige floor walk-in shower photo in San Francisco with shaker cabinets, white cabinets, gray walls, a drop-in sink, quartz countertops and a hinged shower door

Walk-in shower with 12 x 24 gray rectified porcelain tile, stacked install, 24" horizontal. Fontana Marble 3/8 random multi-textured mosaic border. Hanstone Tiffany gray Quartz shelf above. Gorgeous.

Great room with entertainment area, pool table, gaming area, walk up wet bar, (1) stained and lacquered, recessed paneled, cherry column constructed around monopole in between game table and entertainment; Entertainment area to include gas fireplace with full height natural stone surround and continuous hearth extending below custom entertainment stained and lacquered built in and under stair closet; (2) dedicated trey ceilings with painted crown molding and rope lighting each for pool table and TV area; ¾ bathroom with linen closet; Study/Bedroom with double glass door entry and closet; Unfinished storage/mechanical room; -Removal of existing main level basement stairway door and construction of new drywall wrapped stair entryway with arched, lighted, drywall wrapped display niche at landing; new code compliant deeper projection window well installed with dirt excavation and removal outside of study/bedroom egress window; Photo: Andrew J Hathaway, Brothers Construction

This view highlights the layered materials and custom details of the transformed Harrisburg kitchen. Rift-cut white oak on the oversized island brings warmth to the soft painted cabinetry, while the extended island provides generous prep space and integrated seating for everyday dining. White engineered quartz countertops continue 18 inches up the cooking wall for a clean, durable backsplash, with white porcelain tile extending above to the ceiling. Floating wood shelves with integrated LED lighting add warmth and display space. The cooking wall includes an induction cooktop, pot filler and concealed ventilation, while integrated white appliances help maintain the kitchen's clean, tailored appearance.

This 5687 sf home was a major renovation including significant modifications to exterior and interior structural components, walls and foundations. Included were the addition of several multi slide exterior doors, windows, new patio cover structure with master deck, climate controlled wine room, master bath steam shower, 4 new gas fireplace appliances and the center piece- a cantilever structural steel staircase with custom wood handrail and treads. A complete demo down to drywall of all areas was performed excluding only the secondary baths, game room and laundry room where only the existing cabinets were kept and refinished. Some of the interior structural and partition walls were removed. All flooring, counter tops, shower walls, shower pans and tubs were removed and replaced. New cabinets in kitchen and main bar by Mid Continent. All other cabinetry was custom fabricated and some existing cabinets refinished. Counter tops consist of Quartz, granite and marble. Flooring is porcelain tile and marble throughout. Wall surfaces are porcelain tile, natural stacked stone and custom wood throughout. All drywall surfaces are floated to smooth wall finish. Many electrical upgrades including LED recessed can lighting, LED strip lighting under cabinets and ceiling tray lighting throughout. The front and rear yard was completely re landscaped including 2 gas fire features in the rear and a built in BBQ. The pool tile and plaster was refinished including all new concrete decking.

This bungalow was sitting on the market, vacant. The owners had it virtually staged but never realized the furniture in the staged photos was too big for the space. Many potential buyers had trouble visualizing their furniture in this small home. We came in and brought all the furniture and accessories and it sold immediately. Sometimes when you see a property for sale online and it is virtually staged, the client might not realize it and expects to see the furniture in the home when they visit. When they don't, they start to question the actual size of the property. We want to create a vibe when you walk in the door. It has to start from the moment you walk in and continue throughout at least the first floor. If you are thinking about listing your home, give us a call. We own all the furniture you see and have our own movers.