Inspiration for a contemporary kitchen remodel in Singapore with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, black appliances and an island

This project was an update and addition to a historic firehouse in Pacific Heights. The original layout included the engine room, a bunkroom and a cook’s cottage at the rear. Our work was primarily to work with a collection of odd spaces at the rear and create kids bedrooms, a light court and design a more creative and inviting court yard between the existing buildings. After the renovation the home retains the character of the firehouse with 4 bedrooms to complement the party / play space on the ground floor, and the quintessential great room upstairs. Paul Dryer Photography

Dedicated laundry room - mid-sized traditional single-wall dark wood floor dedicated laundry room idea in DC Metro with a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets and a side-by-side washer/dryer

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!)

Wood burning cook stove by La Nordica
Kitchen photo in New York

Wood cook stove by La Nordica
Family room - family room idea in New York

Dura Supreme Cabinetry
Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional master beige tile and stone slab travertine floor doorless shower remodel in Phoenix with an undermount sink, raised-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, granite countertops, a one-piece toilet and beige walls

Taylor Photography
Inspiration for a timeless bathroom remodel in Philadelphia

I was brought in to give a serious makeover to a kitchen that had seen... a lot. Tucked inside a turn-of-the-century building full of charm (and quirks), the space came with its fair share of headaches—uneven floors and walls, a ridiculously oversized radiator in the worst possible spot, and a bulky chase cutting through one corner like it owned the place. And that was just the welcome party. The transformation created a space that you want to just relax and enjoy that gourmet cooking experience!

The design of this warm Silicon Valley home is a sophisticated mix of family heirlooms, custom furniture and refined fabrics. Highlights include a functional cook’s kitchen, stunning contemporary art collection and a onyx and laser cut tile master bathroom. Photo: Matthew Millman

Barbara Brown Photography
Inspiration for a huge transitional gray floor kitchen remodel in Atlanta with metallic backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island, metal backsplash, gray countertops and marble countertops

Transitional basement photo in Columbus

Inspiration for a mid-sized timeless blue two-story wood exterior home remodel in Other with a shingle roof

Transitional home yoga studio photo in Cleveland

Example of a 1950s white floor, shiplap ceiling and brick wall family room design in San Francisco with gray walls, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace and a tv stand

Example of a mid-sized cottage galley painted wood floor eat-in kitchen design in Los Angeles with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, marble countertops, white backsplash, wood backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

This garden takes advantage of the chimney tops and attics spaces of the urban landscape of the Back Bay- we refer to it as "Mary-Poppinsville". Split in to two areas- seating and dinning/cooking. shrubs, perennials, annuals, and edibles including: herbs, tomatoes, The client is a gourmet chef and uses the foods in his cooking. With limited space, the most popular edible plants that clients ask for are tomatoes and herbs because the herbs can be used in daily cooking and theres nothing to compare to the homegrown tomato. Where space is generous, we also plant blueberries strawberries, raspberries, lettuces, peppers.

photos by Callie Hobbs Photography
Eat-in kitchen - mid-sized transitional galley medium tone wood floor and brown floor eat-in kitchen idea in Denver with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, green cabinets, quartz countertops, white backsplash, brick backsplash, stainless steel appliances, a peninsula and white countertops

Cool detached garage that matches home Chris Cook
Large arts and crafts detached two-car garage photo in Other