Large island. Quartz countertops. White backsplash tile. Painted cabinets. Cabinets with glass doors and painted interiors. Wine fridges. Counter cabinets. Integrated bookshelves and sideboard. Kitchen remodel for active cook and baker.

A new window adds natural light to the Kitchen, making it feel lighter and brighter, and provides a view to the outside from the sink. The valance above the sink provides targeted task lighting at the sink.

Photo: Margaret Wright © 2017 Houzz
This is an example of a craftsman landscaping in Charleston.

Photo: Janet Paik © 2016 Houzz

Photo: Rikki Snyder © 2018 Houzz https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/108513781/list/bold-and-daring-designs-at-the-2018-kips-bay-decorator-show-house

The entire Modern furniture collection is sophisticated, clean and simple, bold and a bit daring. It honors its roots in Modernism but has been adapted for today's life and activities, in action and rest. It focuses on livability and usability, making it comfortable enough for everyday.

After living in their home for ten years, these homeowners are empty nesters. They went back and forth between remodeling their 2nd floor and creating a backyard oasis. Ultimately, they felt a garage/backyard makeover would best suit their lifestyle. They had no privacy, no shade, and a space longing for attention. Castle Building & Remodeling teamed up with Field Outdoor Spaces to reimagine this space for everyday use, as well as entertaining. The garage, which was previously attached to the house, was completely torn down. The new garage was built from the ground up, closer to the alley. This freed up space for what is now a lovely outdoor kitchen pavilion. Held up by wrapped cedar posts and beams, the ceiling is creatively finished with walnut floor planks. At the ground, stamped concrete was poured to create a stone look. The covered patio extends into a walkway towards the new garage, so the homeowners never have to worry about getting wet when coming and going. This walkway also features motion-activated lights, designed to illuminate the homeowner’s path as he/she enters from the garage. The outdoor cooking/bar area with concrete countertops and stainless steel storage units is the heart of this space. Complete with two ceiling fans, this new space offers privacy, shade, and comfort for parties and everyday use! Tour this project in person, September 28 – 29, during the 2019 Castle Home Tour!

In this refined yet playful home for a family of six, every room invites connection, creativity, and daily living, with thoughtfully integrated spaces for building, gathering, and everyday living. A playful children’s space defined by bold color and imaginative detail. A vibrant table and chairs sit against whimsical, graphic wallpaper, creating an engaging setting for creativity, learning, and everyday play.

After living in their home for ten years, these homeowners are empty nesters. They went back and forth between remodeling their 2nd floor and creating a backyard oasis. Ultimately, they felt a garage/backyard makeover would best suit their lifestyle. They had no privacy, no shade, and a space longing for attention. Castle Building & Remodeling teamed up with Field Outdoor Spaces to reimagine this space for everyday use, as well as entertaining. The garage, which was previously attached to the house, was completely torn down. The new garage was built from the ground up, closer to the alley. This freed up space for what is now a lovely outdoor kitchen pavilion. Held up by wrapped cedar posts and beams, the ceiling is creatively finished with walnut floor planks. At the ground, stamped concrete was poured to create a stone look. The covered patio extends into a walkway towards the new garage, so the homeowners never have to worry about getting wet when coming and going. This walkway also features motion-activated lights, designed to illuminate the homeowner’s path as he/she enters from the garage. The outdoor cooking/bar area with concrete countertops and stainless steel storage units is the heart of this space. Complete with two ceiling fans, this new space offers privacy, shade, and comfort for parties and everyday use! Tour this project in person, September 28 – 29, during the 2019 Castle Home Tour!

After living in their home for ten years, these homeowners are empty nesters. They went back and forth between remodeling their 2nd floor and creating a backyard oasis. Ultimately, they felt a garage/backyard makeover would best suit their lifestyle. They had no privacy, no shade, and a space longing for attention. Castle Building & Remodeling teamed up with Field Outdoor Spaces to reimagine this space for everyday use, as well as entertaining. The garage, which was previously attached to the house, was completely torn down. The new garage was built from the ground up, closer to the alley. This freed up space for what is now a lovely outdoor kitchen pavilion. Held up by wrapped cedar posts and beams, the ceiling is creatively finished with walnut floor planks. At the ground, stamped concrete was poured to create a stone look. The covered patio extends into a walkway towards the new garage, so the homeowners never have to worry about getting wet when coming and going. This walkway also features motion-activated lights, designed to illuminate the homeowner’s path as he/she enters from the garage. The outdoor cooking/bar area with concrete countertops and stainless steel storage units is the heart of this space. Complete with two ceiling fans, this new space offers privacy, shade, and comfort for parties and everyday use! Tour this project in person, September 28 – 29, during the 2019 Castle Home Tour!

There’s a nostalgia of old and new mixed together to create a crisp black and white transitional kitchen. We enhanced the nostalgia of the old by keeping the wood burning fire place, along with a built-in cabinet and a Grandfather’s clock to tie it all together. Organization, functionality, lighting and keeping with the same hardwood floors was important to this active family. We added in a door wall to bring in more natural light and used island lighting, under cabinet lighting and overhead cans to help illuminate the different everyday tasks when working in the kitchen. A full-size pantry wrapped on all sides gives it a unique architectural design element, maximum cabinetry, and cubbies, helps keep this active family organized.

There’s a nostalgia of old and new mixed together to create a crisp black and white transitional kitchen. We enhanced the nostalgia of the old by keeping the wood burning fire place, along with a built-in cabinet and a Grandfather’s clock to tie it all together. Organization, functionality, lighting and keeping with the same hardwood floors was important to this active family. We added in a door wall to bring in more natural light and used island lighting, under cabinet lighting and overhead cans to help illuminate the different everyday tasks when working in the kitchen. A full-size pantry wrapped on all sides gives it a unique architectural design element, maximum cabinetry, and cubbies, helps keep this active family organized.

After living in their home for ten years, these homeowners are empty nesters. They went back and forth between remodeling their 2nd floor and creating a backyard oasis. Ultimately, they felt a garage/backyard makeover would best suit their lifestyle. They had no privacy, no shade, and a space longing for attention. Castle Building & Remodeling teamed up with Field Outdoor Spaces to reimagine this space for everyday use, as well as entertaining. The garage, which was previously attached to the house, was completely torn down. The new garage was built from the ground up, closer to the alley. This freed up space for what is now a lovely outdoor kitchen pavilion. Held up by wrapped cedar posts and beams, the ceiling is creatively finished with walnut floor planks. At the ground, stamped concrete was poured to create a stone look. The covered patio extends into a walkway towards the new garage, so the homeowners never have to worry about getting wet when coming and going. This walkway also features motion-activated lights, designed to illuminate the homeowner’s path as he/she enters from the garage. The outdoor cooking/bar area with concrete countertops and stainless steel storage units is the heart of this space. Complete with two ceiling fans, this new space offers privacy, shade, and comfort for parties and everyday use! Tour this project in person, September 28 – 29, during the 2019 Castle Home Tour!

Situated at the end of a cul-de-sac near the beautiful Mount Sutro Open Space Reserve, this 1907 Parnassus Heights home belongs to an active couple with a young daughter. They had dreams of transforming their home into a comforting refuge, equally equipped to whip up cocktails for guests, welcome them home after a good surf, or host their aging parents. We touched just about every space in this home, including the kitchen, hallway, dining room, bedrooms, and bathrooms. In addition, we updated the basement hall that leads to the outside, transforming it into a more presentable entry for guests, and created an enclosed storage space. Given the age of the home and its location on a hillside, precise structural work was involved to renew the home’s integrity. In the kitchen, which was originally dark and cramped, we made dramatic changes. We expanded the kitchen’s footprint, designing it to capture the expansive city views and create the indoor-outdoor living space they had always wanted. A large island with custom concrete countertops, a custom banquette, and beautiful red oak cabinets are just a few of the standout features in this soothing space. The rest of this home’s spaces received equally thoughtful planning: floor-to-ceiling bedroom wardrobes with integrated lighting, custom built-in elements, carefully layered lighting for ambiance and drama, a steam shower in the primary bathroom, and the addition of skylights to bring in natural light. This home is now an inviting, purposeful space perfectly tailored to infusing joy and ease into their everyday lives.

There’s a nostalgia of old and new mixed together to create a crisp black and white transitional kitchen. We enhanced the nostalgia of the old by keeping the wood burning fire place, along with a built-in cabinet and a Grandfather’s clock to tie it all together. Organization, functionality, lighting and keeping with the same hardwood floors was important to this active family. We added in a door wall to bring in more natural light and used island lighting, under cabinet lighting and overhead cans to help illuminate the different everyday tasks when working in the kitchen. A full-size pantry wrapped on all sides gives it a unique architectural design element, maximum cabinetry, and cubbies, helps keep this active family organized.

After living in their home for ten years, these homeowners are empty nesters. They went back and forth between remodeling their 2nd floor and creating a backyard oasis. Ultimately, they felt a garage/backyard makeover would best suit their lifestyle. They had no privacy, no shade, and a space longing for attention. Castle Building & Remodeling teamed up with Field Outdoor Spaces to reimagine this space for everyday use, as well as entertaining. The garage, which was previously attached to the house, was completely torn down. The new garage was built from the ground up, closer to the alley. This freed up space for what is now a lovely outdoor kitchen pavilion. Held up by wrapped cedar posts and beams, the ceiling is creatively finished with walnut floor planks. At the ground, stamped concrete was poured to create a stone look. The covered patio extends into a walkway towards the new garage, so the homeowners never have to worry about getting wet when coming and going. This walkway also features motion-activated lights, designed to illuminate the homeowner’s path as he/she enters from the garage. The outdoor cooking/bar area with concrete countertops and stainless steel storage units is the heart of this space. Complete with two ceiling fans, this new space offers privacy, shade, and comfort for parties and everyday use! Tour this project in person, September 28 – 29, during the 2019 Castle Home Tour!

There are not many things better than a room full of your favourite people. As you gather you smell dinner cooking in the kitchen and music playing in the background, as joyful conversation and laughter fill the room. I feel so grateful that we are inching our way back to these days. How about you? The project I’m sharing with you today has beautiful moments like these at its heart. Spaces that invite people in, foster connection, and make everyday living so simple that it’s impossible not to enjoy... Meet our Delightful Clients: The family behind this 1950s North Vancouver home transformation enjoy entertaining friends just as much as cosying up to watch a movie together. A professional couple (I'll call them Jon and Anna) with two elementary school-aged sons, Anna and Jon approached us with the task of furnishing the main floor living spaces and the basement of their family home. Anna is a busy lawyer who is now working almost full time from home, and Jon works in the film industry. With full careers, two active boys, and a love of gathering, they craved a home that could support their everyday lifestyle. Design and Lifestyle Goals: Our central goal for this project was simple: to uncover the hidden potential in their home and create a family-friendly space that functioned well and flowed seamlessly. On the main floor, our clients tasked us with creating an area for the family to relax and entertain, along with crafting a work and play space for the boys. They also dreamed of a more functional and bright basement, which they envisioned as a dual purpose family room and home office for Anna. Reveal: Comfortable and Welcoming Entryway & Living Room: Imagine you are coming home, and you walk through a bright, sunny front door like this one. You are met by this entryway of calming earth and sea tones, paired with warm, natural wood flooring. You feel instantly welcomed and eager to venture further inside... The same is now true for our clients! The simple details in their entryway are thoughtfully arranged with clean lines and colourful art as the focal point, achieving a timeless and friendly aesthetic. Dried wheat brings movement into the space and plays up the beauty of nature, while the vibrant yet warm colours and textures evoke feelings of comfort and homecoming. The entry flows seamlessly into this connected living area, which is adorned with ample seating strategically arranged to host and accommodate joyful conversations. With the fireplace and wood mantel as the focal point, these natural elements and hues warm up the room to make it feel beautifully lived-in (not like an untouchable museum). Another colourful work of art graces the space above Jon’s and Anna’s sofa, and we used decorative pillows and a throw blanket to tempt those colours into the rest of the room. A simply styled coffee table keeps the space feeling open and engaged. Reading material, anyone? Just beyond this living area, you get a glimpse of the second space our clients requested on their main floor... A Collected Space for Children to Work + Play: When Jon and Anna realised that their formal dining area wasn’t being used to its full potential, they imagined creating a work and play space for their boys instead. We came up with a plan to create a shared desk area with plentiful storage. This timeless natural wood desk was the perfect way to maximise surface area and give the boys plenty of space to do homework during the school year, or spend time crafting or building LEGOs during the summers. The drawers provide storage for all the wonderful items that fuel their productivity or creativity. Or both. I also love how the white floating shelves display a collection of nostalgic toys, providing just the right amount of childhood endearment to this sophisticated and functional space. This workspace now has endless possibilities for the boys, and it helps Jon and Anna keep their minds and spaces clear, too. Which brings us to... Basement Family Room & Home Office: In general, we knew we had to maximise surface area in this ‘50s home, and this was especially true for our clients’ basement. I’m happy to say that we designed an effortlessly comfortable space that focuses on family and makes it simple to settle in and work… or leave the workday behind. Welcome to this dual-function office and family room. Toward the back of the room, we strategically positioned Anna’s wraparound desk facing out into the room and gave her a wallpaper-and-art backdrop for stunning Zoom calls (she has already received glowing compliments). There is plenty of storage for easy organization including a space to store the family’s shared printer near the door… so they don’t have to interrupt “Mom” to get to it. Anna also wanted the freedom to be able to relax in this space with her family and turn her back on the work day — quite literally! The sofa is perfectly positioned backing onto the desk allowing her to do just that. We relocated an existing mustard yellow chair and used pops of the same colour to integrate it into the overall scheme. The wood armrests on this modular sectional provide surfaces for snacks and drinks where there was no room for an end table. The walnut finish carries the theme of natural comfort from the upstairs spaces down into the family room. The view from the sectional is less business and more pleasure, featuring cosy seating and throw pillows in cheerful colours and patterns. The highlight of this space? A wallpapered accent wall where we were able to achieve the high-end feel of custom built-in shelving with a simple IKEA hack. The shelves and cabinetry around the television offer plenty of much needed storage space to house family games and movies at a budget price point. This fun room is the perfect balance of work and play, accommodating and supporting our clients’ daily family adventures. What Our Clients Had to Say... Our clients could not be happier with their warm yet functional new rooms. With thoughtful consideration and a plan of action, we were able to transform two areas of their home into spaces that function well and feel good. In fact, they had this to say: “Lori and her team were everything we were looking for: great listeners, wonderfully creative and highly professional. We couldn't be happier with our interior makeover.” — Clients That is why we do what we do. If you're ready to start your redesign project, we would love to help. Reach out to us here, and let's get to know more about each other.

There are not many things better than a room full of your favourite people. As you gather you smell dinner cooking in the kitchen and music playing in the background, as joyful conversation and laughter fill the room. I feel so grateful that we are inching our way back to these days. How about you? The project I’m sharing with you today has beautiful moments like these at its heart. Spaces that invite people in, foster connection, and make everyday living so simple that it’s impossible not to enjoy... Meet our Delightful Clients: The family behind this 1950s North Vancouver home transformation enjoy entertaining friends just as much as cosying up to watch a movie together. A professional couple (I'll call them Jon and Anna) with two elementary school-aged sons, Anna and Jon approached us with the task of furnishing the main floor living spaces and the basement of their family home. Anna is a busy lawyer who is now working almost full time from home, and Jon works in the film industry. With full careers, two active boys, and a love of gathering, they craved a home that could support their everyday lifestyle. Design and Lifestyle Goals: Our central goal for this project was simple: to uncover the hidden potential in their home and create a family-friendly space that functioned well and flowed seamlessly. On the main floor, our clients tasked us with creating an area for the family to relax and entertain, along with crafting a work and play space for the boys. They also dreamed of a more functional and bright basement, which they envisioned as a dual purpose family room and home office for Anna. Reveal: Comfortable and Welcoming Entryway & Living Room: Imagine you are coming home, and you walk through a bright, sunny front door like this one. You are met by this entryway of calming earth and sea tones, paired with warm, natural wood flooring. You feel instantly welcomed and eager to venture further inside... The same is now true for our clients! The simple details in their entryway are thoughtfully arranged with clean lines and colourful art as the focal point, achieving a timeless and friendly aesthetic. Dried wheat brings movement into the space and plays up the beauty of nature, while the vibrant yet warm colours and textures evoke feelings of comfort and homecoming. The entry flows seamlessly into this connected living area, which is adorned with ample seating strategically arranged to host and accommodate joyful conversations. With the fireplace and wood mantel as the focal point, these natural elements and hues warm up the room to make it feel beautifully lived-in (not like an untouchable museum). Another colourful work of art graces the space above Jon’s and Anna’s sofa, and we used decorative pillows and a throw blanket to tempt those colours into the rest of the room. A simply styled coffee table keeps the space feeling open and engaged. Reading material, anyone? Just beyond this living area, you get a glimpse of the second space our clients requested on their main floor... A Collected Space for Children to Work + Play: When Jon and Anna realised that their formal dining area wasn’t being used to its full potential, they imagined creating a work and play space for their boys instead. We came up with a plan to create a shared desk area with plentiful storage. This timeless natural wood desk was the perfect way to maximise surface area and give the boys plenty of space to do homework during the school year, or spend time crafting or building LEGOs during the summers. The drawers provide storage for all the wonderful items that fuel their productivity or creativity. Or both. I also love how the white floating shelves display a collection of nostalgic toys, providing just the right amount of childhood endearment to this sophisticated and functional space. This workspace now has endless possibilities for the boys, and it helps Jon and Anna keep their minds and spaces clear, too. Which brings us to... Basement Family Room & Home Office: In general, we knew we had to maximise surface area in this ‘50s home, and this was especially true for our clients’ basement. I’m happy to say that we designed an effortlessly comfortable space that focuses on family and makes it simple to settle in and work… or leave the workday behind. Welcome to this dual-function office and family room. Toward the back of the room, we strategically positioned Anna’s wraparound desk facing out into the room and gave her a wallpaper-and-art backdrop for stunning Zoom calls (she has already received glowing compliments). There is plenty of storage for easy organization including a space to store the family’s shared printer near the door… so they don’t have to interrupt “Mom” to get to it. Anna also wanted the freedom to be able to relax in this space with her family and turn her back on the work day — quite literally! The sofa is perfectly positioned backing onto the desk allowing her to do just that. We relocated an existing mustard yellow chair and used pops of the same colour to integrate it into the overall scheme. The wood armrests on this modular sectional provide surfaces for snacks and drinks where there was no room for an end table. The walnut finish carries the theme of natural comfort from the upstairs spaces down into the family room. The view from the sectional is less business and more pleasure, featuring cosy seating and throw pillows in cheerful colours and patterns. The highlight of this space? A wallpapered accent wall where we were able to achieve the high-end feel of custom built-in shelving with a simple IKEA hack. The shelves and cabinetry around the television offer plenty of much needed storage space to house family games and movies at a budget price point. This fun room is the perfect balance of work and play, accommodating and supporting our clients’ daily family adventures. What Our Clients Had to Say... Our clients could not be happier with their warm yet functional new rooms. With thoughtful consideration and a plan of action, we were able to transform two areas of their home into spaces that function well and feel good. In fact, they had this to say: “Lori and her team were everything we were looking for: great listeners, wonderfully creative and highly professional. We couldn't be happier with our interior makeover.” — Clients That is why we do what we do. If you're ready to start your redesign project, we would love to help. Reach out to us here, and let's get to know more about each other.

There are not many things better than a room full of your favourite people. As you gather you smell dinner cooking in the kitchen and music playing in the background, as joyful conversation and laughter fill the room. I feel so grateful that we are inching our way back to these days. How about you? The project I’m sharing with you today has beautiful moments like these at its heart. Spaces that invite people in, foster connection, and make everyday living so simple that it’s impossible not to enjoy... Meet our Delightful Clients: The family behind this 1950s North Vancouver home transformation enjoy entertaining friends just as much as cosying up to watch a movie together. A professional couple (I'll call them Jon and Anna) with two elementary school-aged sons, Anna and Jon approached us with the task of furnishing the main floor living spaces and the basement of their family home. Anna is a busy lawyer who is now working almost full time from home, and Jon works in the film industry. With full careers, two active boys, and a love of gathering, they craved a home that could support their everyday lifestyle. Design and Lifestyle Goals: Our central goal for this project was simple: to uncover the hidden potential in their home and create a family-friendly space that functioned well and flowed seamlessly. On the main floor, our clients tasked us with creating an area for the family to relax and entertain, along with crafting a work and play space for the boys. They also dreamed of a more functional and bright basement, which they envisioned as a dual purpose family room and home office for Anna. Reveal: Comfortable and Welcoming Entryway & Living Room: Imagine you are coming home, and you walk through a bright, sunny front door like this one. You are met by this entryway of calming earth and sea tones, paired with warm, natural wood flooring. You feel instantly welcomed and eager to venture further inside... The same is now true for our clients! The simple details in their entryway are thoughtfully arranged with clean lines and colourful art as the focal point, achieving a timeless and friendly aesthetic. Dried wheat brings movement into the space and plays up the beauty of nature, while the vibrant yet warm colours and textures evoke feelings of comfort and homecoming. The entry flows seamlessly into this connected living area, which is adorned with ample seating strategically arranged to host and accommodate joyful conversations. With the fireplace and wood mantel as the focal point, these natural elements and hues warm up the room to make it feel beautifully lived-in (not like an untouchable museum). Another colourful work of art graces the space above Jon’s and Anna’s sofa, and we used decorative pillows and a throw blanket to tempt those colours into the rest of the room. A simply styled coffee table keeps the space feeling open and engaged. Reading material, anyone? Just beyond this living area, you get a glimpse of the second space our clients requested on their main floor... A Collected Space for Children to Work + Play: When Jon and Anna realised that their formal dining area wasn’t being used to its full potential, they imagined creating a work and play space for their boys instead. We came up with a plan to create a shared desk area with plentiful storage. This timeless natural wood desk was the perfect way to maximise surface area and give the boys plenty of space to do homework during the school year, or spend time crafting or building LEGOs during the summers. The drawers provide storage for all the wonderful items that fuel their productivity or creativity. Or both. I also love how the white floating shelves display a collection of nostalgic toys, providing just the right amount of childhood endearment to this sophisticated and functional space. This workspace now has endless possibilities for the boys, and it helps Jon and Anna keep their minds and spaces clear, too. Which brings us to... Basement Family Room & Home Office: In general, we knew we had to maximise surface area in this ‘50s home, and this was especially true for our clients’ basement. I’m happy to say that we designed an effortlessly comfortable space that focuses on family and makes it simple to settle in and work… or leave the workday behind. Welcome to this dual-function office and family room. Toward the back of the room, we strategically positioned Anna’s wraparound desk facing out into the room and gave her a wallpaper-and-art backdrop for stunning Zoom calls (she has already received glowing compliments). There is plenty of storage for easy organization including a space to store the family’s shared printer near the door… so they don’t have to interrupt “Mom” to get to it. Anna also wanted the freedom to be able to relax in this space with her family and turn her back on the work day — quite literally! The sofa is perfectly positioned backing onto the desk allowing her to do just that. We relocated an existing mustard yellow chair and used pops of the same colour to integrate it into the overall scheme. The wood armrests on this modular sectional provide surfaces for snacks and drinks where there was no room for an end table. The walnut finish carries the theme of natural comfort from the upstairs spaces down into the family room. The view from the sectional is less business and more pleasure, featuring cosy seating and throw pillows in cheerful colours and patterns. The highlight of this space? A wallpapered accent wall where we were able to achieve the high-end feel of custom built-in shelving with a simple IKEA hack. The shelves and cabinetry around the television offer plenty of much needed storage space to house family games and movies at a budget price point. This fun room is the perfect balance of work and play, accommodating and supporting our clients’ daily family adventures. What Our Clients Had to Say... Our clients could not be happier with their warm yet functional new rooms. With thoughtful consideration and a plan of action, we were able to transform two areas of their home into spaces that function well and feel good. In fact, they had this to say: “Lori and her team were everything we were looking for: great listeners, wonderfully creative and highly professional. We couldn't be happier with our interior makeover.” — Clients That is why we do what we do. If you're ready to start your redesign project, we would love to help. Reach out to us here, and let's get to know more about each other.