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Located near Ennis, Montana, this cabin captures the essence of rustic style while maintaining modern comforts.
Jack Watkins’ father, the namesake of the creek by which this home is built, was involved in the construction of the Old Faithful Lodge. He originally built the cabin for he and his family in 1917, with small additions and upgrades over the years. The new owners’ desire was to update the home to better facilitate modern living, but without losing the original character. Windows and doors were added, and the kitchen and bathroom were completely remodeled. Well-placed porches were added to further integrate the interior spaces to their adjacent exterior counterparts, as well as a mud room—a practical requirement in rural Montana.
Today, details like the unique juniper handrail leading up to the library, will remind visitors and guests of its historical Western roots.

Located near Ennis, Montana, this cabin captures the essence of rustic style while maintaining modern comforts.
Jack Watkins’ father, the namesake of the creek by which this home is built, was involved in the construction of the Old Faithful Lodge. He originally built the cabin for he and his family in 1917, with small additions and upgrades over the years. The new owners’ desire was to update the home to better facilitate modern living, but without losing the original character. Windows and doors were added, and the kitchen and bathroom were completely remodeled. Well-placed porches were added to further integrate the interior spaces to their adjacent exterior counterparts, as well as a mud room—a practical requirement in rural Montana.
Today, details like the unique juniper handrail leading up to the library, will remind visitors and guests of its historical Western roots.

This Paradise Valley stunner was a down-to-the-studs renovation. The owner, a successful business woman and owner of Bungalow Scottsdale -- a fabulous furnishings store, had a very clear vision. DW's mission was to re-imagine the 1970's solid block home into a modern and open place for a family of three. The house initially was very compartmentalized including lots of small rooms and too many doors to count. With a mantra of simplify, simplify, simplify, Architect CP Drewett began to look for the hidden order to craft a space that lived well.
This residence is a Moroccan world of white topped with classic Morrish patterning and finished with the owner's fabulous taste. The kitchen was established as the home's center to facilitate the owner's heart and swagger for entertaining. The public spaces were reimagined with a focus on hospitality. Practicing great restraint with the architecture set the stage for the owner to showcase objects in space. Her fantastic collection includes a glass-top faux elephant tusk table from the set of the infamous 80's television series, Dallas.
It was a joy to create, collaborate, and now celebrate this amazing home.
Project Details:
Architecture: C.P. Drewett, AIA, NCARB; Drewett Works, Scottsdale, AZ
Interior Selections: Linda Criswell, Bungalow Scottsdale, Scottsdale, AZ
Photography: Dino Tonn, Scottsdale, AZ
Featured in: Phoenix Home and Garden, June 2015, "Eclectic Remodel", page 87.
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This Cobble Hill Brownstone for a family of five is a fun and captivating design, the perfect blend of the wife’s love of English country style and the husband’s preference for modern. The young power couple, her the co-founder of Maisonette and him an investor, have three children and a dog, requiring that all the surfaces, finishes and, materials used throughout the home are both beautiful and durable to make every room a carefree space the whole family can enjoy.
The primary design challenge for this project was creating both distinct places for the family to live their day to day lives and also a whole floor dedicated to formal entertainment. The clients entertain large dinners on a monthly basis as part of their profession. We solved this by adding an extension on the Garden and Parlor levels. This allowed the Garden level to function as the daily family operations center and the Parlor level to be party central. The kitchen on the garden level is large enough to dine in and accommodate a large catering crew.
On the parlor level, we created a large double parlor in the front of the house; this space is dedicated to cocktail hour and after-dinner drinks. The rear of the parlor is a spacious formal dining room that can seat up to 14 guests. The middle "library" space contains a bar and facilitates access to both the front and rear rooms; in this way, it can double as a staging area for the parties.
The remaining three floors are sleeping quarters for the family and frequent out of town guests. Designing a row house for private and public functions programmatically returns the building to a configuration in line with its original design.
This project was published in Architectural Digest.
Photography by Sam Frost

For this project, the entire kitchen was designed around the “must-have” Lacanche range in the stunning French Blue with brass trim. That was the client’s dream and everything had to be built to complement it. Bilotta senior designer, Randy O’Kane, CKD worked with Paul Benowitz and Dipti Shah of Benowitz Shah Architects to contemporize the kitchen while staying true to the original house which was designed in 1928 by regionally noted architect Franklin P. Hammond. The clients purchased the home over two years ago from the original owner. While the house has a magnificent architectural presence from the street, the basic systems, appointments, and most importantly, the layout and flow were inappropriately suited to contemporary living.
The new plan removed an outdated screened porch at the rear which was replaced with the new family room and moved the kitchen from a dark corner in the front of the house to the center. The visual connection from the kitchen through the family room is dramatic and gives direct access to the rear yard and patio. It was important that the island separating the kitchen from the family room have ample space to the left and right to facilitate traffic patterns, and interaction among family members. Hence vertical kitchen elements were placed primarily on existing interior walls. The cabinetry used was Bilotta’s private label, the Bilotta Collection – they selected beautiful, dramatic, yet subdued finishes for the meticulously handcrafted cabinetry. The double islands allow for the busy family to have a space for everything – the island closer to the range has seating and makes a perfect space for doing homework or crafts, or having breakfast or snacks. The second island has ample space for storage and books and acts as a staging area from the kitchen to the dinner table. The kitchen perimeter and both islands are painted in Benjamin Moore’s Paper White. The wall cabinets flanking the sink have wire mesh fronts in a statuary bronze – the insides of these cabinets are painted blue to match the range. The breakfast room cabinetry is Benjamin Moore’s Lampblack with the interiors of the glass cabinets painted in Paper White to match the kitchen. All countertops are Vermont White Quartzite from Eastern Stone. The backsplash is Artistic Tile’s Kyoto White and Kyoto Steel. The fireclay apron-front main sink is from Rohl while the smaller prep sink is from Linkasink. All faucets are from Waterstone in their antique pewter finish. The brass hardware is from Armac Martin and the pendants above the center island are from Circa Lighting. The appliances, aside from the range, are a mix of Sub-Zero, Thermador and Bosch with panels on everything.

Photo by Barbara Wilson Landscape Architect, LLC
A small residential, seaside property located on Fairfield Beach, Fairfield was renovated by the new owners and adapted for their active family. Barbara was the landscape architect in charge of all of the landscape elements upgrades. She designed new bluestone curving paths to access the front and side doors and designed new landscape lighting to enhance the walks. The existing trees were saved and she designed new shade and salt-tolerant plantings which were added to provide seasonal color and interest while respecting the existing plantings. Along the beach front additional native beach grasses were added to stabilize the dunes while removing some invasive plantings. This work will be phased over the next few years in an effort to keep the sand stable. Beach roses were incorporated into a hollow in the dunes. A small lawn area was renovated and the surrounding Black Pines pruned to provide a small play area and respite from the sun. Beautiful reblooming hydrangeas line the edge of the gravel driveway. Rounded beach stones were used instead of mulch in the island planting along the edge of the adjacent road planted with Miscanthus, Mugo pine and yucca.
Barbara designed a custom kayak rack, custom garbage enclosure, a new layout of the existing wooden deck to facilitate access to the side doors, and detailed how to renovate the front door into only an emergency access with new railings and steps.
She coordinating obtaining bids and then supervised the installation of all elements for the new landscape the project.
The interiors were designed by Jack Montgomery Design of Greenwich, CT and NYC . Tree work was completed by Bartlett Tree Experts. Freddy’s Landscape Company of Fairfield, CT installed the new plantings, installed all the new masonry work and provides landscape maintenance services. JT Low Voltage and Electric installed the landscape lighting.

For this project, the entire kitchen was designed around the “must-have” Lacanche range in the stunning French Blue with brass trim. That was the client’s dream and everything had to be built to complement it. Bilotta senior designer, Randy O’Kane, CKD worked with Paul Benowitz and Dipti Shah of Benowitz Shah Architects to contemporize the kitchen while staying true to the original house which was designed in 1928 by regionally noted architect Franklin P. Hammond. The clients purchased the home over two years ago from the original owner. While the house has a magnificent architectural presence from the street, the basic systems, appointments, and most importantly, the layout and flow were inappropriately suited to contemporary living.
The new plan removed an outdated screened porch at the rear which was replaced with the new family room and moved the kitchen from a dark corner in the front of the house to the center. The visual connection from the kitchen through the family room is dramatic and gives direct access to the rear yard and patio. It was important that the island separating the kitchen from the family room have ample space to the left and right to facilitate traffic patterns, and interaction among family members. Hence vertical kitchen elements were placed primarily on existing interior walls. The cabinetry used was Bilotta’s private label, the Bilotta Collection – they selected beautiful, dramatic, yet subdued finishes for the meticulously handcrafted cabinetry. The double islands allow for the busy family to have a space for everything – the island closer to the range has seating and makes a perfect space for doing homework or crafts, or having breakfast or snacks. The second island has ample space for storage and books and acts as a staging area from the kitchen to the dinner table. The kitchen perimeter and both islands are painted in Benjamin Moore’s Paper White. The wall cabinets flanking the sink have wire mesh fronts in a statuary bronze – the insides of these cabinets are painted blue to match the range. The breakfast room cabinetry is Benjamin Moore’s Lampblack with the interiors of the glass cabinets painted in Paper White to match the kitchen. All countertops are Vermont White Quartzite from Eastern Stone. The backsplash is Artistic Tile’s Kyoto White and Kyoto Steel. The fireclay apron-front main sink is from Rohl while the smaller prep sink is from Linkasink. All faucets are from Waterstone in their antique pewter finish. The brass hardware is from Armac Martin and the pendants above the center island are from Circa Lighting. The appliances, aside from the range, are a mix of Sub-Zero, Thermador and Bosch with panels on everything.

Wally, è un nuovo concetto di libreria che ospita proposte originali ad alta funzionalità. Letto sommier con contenitore e testiera imbottita similpelle bianco, disponibile anche con ruote nel lato testiera per consentire facilmente lo spostamento dello stesso.
Amore per sempre, uno spazio magico per sognare senza limiti.
Wally, a new concept for bookshelves that encase original, highly functional ideas.Divan bed with storage space and white imitation
leather padded headboard. Also available with wheels at the headboard end to facilitate moving the bed. Everlasting love, a magic space for endless dreaming.

This LEED Platinum certified house reflects the homeowner's desire for an exceptionally healthy and comfortable living environment, within a traditional neighborhood.
INFILL SITE. The family, who moved from another area of Wellesley, sought out this property to be within walking distance of the high school and downtown area. An existing structure on the tight lot was removed to make way for the new home. 84% of the construction waste, from both the previous structure and the new home, was diverted from a landfill. ZED designed to preserve the existing mature trees on the perimeter of the property to minimize site impacts, and to maintain the character of the neighborhood as well as privacy on the site.
EXTERIOR EXPRESSION. The street facade of the home relates to the local New England vernacular. The rear uses contemporary language, a nod to the family’s Californian roots, to incorporate a roof deck, solar panels, outdoor living space, and the backyard swimming pool. ZED’s careful planning avoided to the need to face the garage doors towards the street, a common syndrome of a narrow lot.
THOUGHTFUL SPACE. Homes with dual entries can often result in duplicate and unused spaces. In this home, the everyday and formal entry areas are one and the same; the front and garage doors share the entry program of coat closets, mudroom storage with bench for removing your shoes, and a laundry room with generous closets for the children's sporting equipment. The entry area leads directly to the living space, encompassing the kitchen, dining and sitting area areas in an L-shaped open plan arrangement. The kitchen is placed at the south-west corner of the space to allow for a strong connection to the dining, sitting and outdoor living spaces. A fire pit on the deck satisfies the family’s desire for an open flame while a sealed gas fireplace is used indoors - ZED’s preference after omitting gas burning appliances completely from an airtight home. A small study, with a window seat, is conveniently located just off of the living space. A first floor guest bedroom includes an accessible bathroom for aging visitors and can be used as a master suite to accommodate aging in place.
HEALTHY LIVING. The client requested a home that was easy to clean and would provide a respite from seasonal allergies and common contaminants that are found in many indoor spaces. ZED selected easy to clean solid surface flooring throughout, provided ample space for cleaning supplies on each floor, and designed a mechanical system with ventilation that provides a constant supply of fresh outdoor air. ZED selected durable materials, finishes, cabinetry, and casework with low or no volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and no added urea formaldehyde.
YEAR-ROUND COMFORT. The home is super insulated and air-tight, paired with high performance triple-paned windows, to ensure it is draft-free throughout the winter (even when in front of the large windows and doors). ZED designed a right-sized heating and cooling system to pair with the thermally improved building enclosure to ensure year-round comfort. The glazing on the home maximizes passive solar gains, and facilitates cross ventilation and daylighting.
ENERGY EFFICIENT. As one of the most energy efficient houses built to date in Wellesley, the home highlights a practical solution for Massachusetts. First, the building enclosure reduces the largest energy requirement for typical houses (heating). Super-insulation, exceptional air sealing, a thermally broken wall assembly, triple pane windows, and passive solar gain combine for a sizable heating load reduction. Second, within the house only efficient systems consume energy. These include an air source heat pump for heating & cooling, a heat pump hot water heater, LED lighting, energy recovery ventilation, and high efficiency appliances. Lastly, photovoltaics provide renewable energy help offset energy consumption. The result is an 89% reduction in energy use compared to a similar brand new home built to code requirements.
RESILIENT. The home will fare well in extreme weather events. During a winter power outage, heat loss will be very slow due to the super-insulated and airtight envelope– taking multiple days to drop to 60 degrees even with no heat source. An engineered drainage system, paired with careful the detailing of the foundation, will help to keep the finished basement dry. A generator will provide full operation of the all-electric house during a power outage.
OVERALL. The home is a reflection of the family goals and an expression of their values, beautifully enabling health, comfort, safety, resilience, and utility, all while respecting the planet.
ZED - Architect & Mechanical Designer
Bevilacqua Builders Inc - Contractor
Creative Land & Water Engineering - Civil Engineering
Barbara Peterson Landscape - Landscape Design
Nest & Company - Interior Furnishings
Eric Roth Photography - Photography

The new kitchen is of quarter-sawn eucalyptus with white quartz countertops. An easy transition to outdoor dining is facilitated by the new adjacent concrete patio with outdoor cooking equipment.

This Cobble Hill Brownstone for a family of five is a fun and captivating design, the perfect blend of the wife’s love of English country style and the husband’s preference for modern. The young power couple, her the co-founder of Maisonette and him an investor, have three children and a dog, requiring that all the surfaces, finishes and, materials used throughout the home are both beautiful and durable to make every room a carefree space the whole family can enjoy.
The primary design challenge for this project was creating both distinct places for the family to live their day to day lives and also a whole floor dedicated to formal entertainment. The clients entertain large dinners on a monthly basis as part of their profession. We solved this by adding an extension on the Garden and Parlor levels. This allowed the Garden level to function as the daily family operations center and the Parlor level to be party central. The kitchen on the garden level is large enough to dine in and accommodate a large catering crew.
On the parlor level, we created a large double parlor in the front of the house; this space is dedicated to cocktail hour and after-dinner drinks. The rear of the parlor is a spacious formal dining room that can seat up to 14 guests. The middle "library" space contains a bar and facilitates access to both the front and rear rooms; in this way, it can double as a staging area for the parties.
The remaining three floors are sleeping quarters for the family and frequent out of town guests. Designing a row house for private and public functions programmatically returns the building to a configuration in line with its original design.
This project was published in Architectural Digest.
Photography by Sam Frost

Northlight Photography
Inspiration for a mid-sized l-shaped light wood floor open concept kitchen remodel in Seattle with flat-panel cabinets, multicolored backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island, a double-bowl sink, light wood cabinets, solid surface countertops and mosaic tile backsplash
Inspiration for a mid-sized l-shaped light wood floor open concept kitchen remodel in Seattle with flat-panel cabinets, multicolored backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island, a double-bowl sink, light wood cabinets, solid surface countertops and mosaic tile backsplash

Photography by John Gibbons
Project by Studio H:T principal in charge Brad Tomecek (now with Tomecek Studio Architecture). This contemporary custom home forms itself based on specific view vectors to Long's Peak and the mountains of the front range combined with the influence of a morning and evening court to facilitate exterior living. Roof forms undulate to allow clerestory light into the space, while providing intimate scale for the exterior areas. A long stone wall provides a reference datum that links public and private and inside and outside into a cohesive whole.

The Betty at Inglenook’s Pocket Neighborhoods is an open two-bedroom Cottage-style Home that facilitates everyday living on a single level. High ceilings in the kitchen, family room and dining nook make this a bright and enjoyable space for your morning coffee, cooking a gourmet dinner, or entertaining guests. Whether it’s the Betty Sue or a Betty Lou, the Betty plans are tailored to maximize the way we live. This is the living space which is open to the kitchen and dining areas.

Chipper Hatter, photographer
Custom bamboo door with lumicor insert and Hafele sliding door hardware
Example of a trendy bathroom design in Kansas City
Example of a trendy bathroom design in Kansas City

Stuart Wade, Envision Virtual Tours
Bobcat Lodge- Lake Rabun
Be welcomed to this perfect mountain/lake lodge through stone pillars down a driveway of stamped concrete and brick paver patterns to the porte cochere. The design philosophy seen in the home's exterior extends to the interior with 10 fireplaces, the finest materials, and extraordinary craftsmanship.
Great Room
Enter the striking foyer with the antique heart pine, walnut and bird's-eye maple inlaid pattern that harmonizes with the natural unity of the spacious great room. The visually anchored stone fireplace accented by hand hewn circa 1800 oak beams silhouettes the soft lake views making a dynamic design statement. The great room was designed with togetherness in mind and features high vaulted ceilings, wormy oak flooring with walnut borders, a spacious dining area, a gourmet kitchen and for softer and more intimate moments a keeping room.
Kitchen:
Wormy chestnut cabinets,
Complimenting South American granite countertops
Wolf cooktop, double oven
Preparation bar
Serving Buffet
Separate wet bar
Walk-in Pantry
Laundry Room: entrance off the foyer, wormy chestnut cabinets and South American granite
Keeping Room: Nestled off the kitchen area intimately scaled for quieter moments, wormy chestnut ceilings with hand hewn oak beams from Ohio and Pennsylvania, wormy oak flooring accented with walnut and sycamore, and private fireplace
Powder Room off foyer
Three Master Bedroom Suites: each with its own unique full bathroom and private alcove with masonry wood burning fireplace
Master suite on the main floor with full bath enlivened by a fish theme with earthtones and blue accents, a copper soaking tub, large shower and copper sinks
Upstairs master suite with wormy oak flooring sits snug above the lake looking through a tree canopy as from a tree house facilitating a peaceful, tranquil atmosphere- full bath features jetted tub, separate shower, large closet, and friendly lizards sitting on copper sinks
Terrace Level Master Suite offers trey ceilings, entrance to stone terrace supported by cyprus tree trunks giving the feel of a rainforest floor: Full bath includes double mosaic-raised copper sinks, antler lighting, jetted tub accented with aquatic life tiles and separate water closet
This warm and inviting rustic interior perfectly balances the outdoor lake vistas with the comfort of indoor living.moving directly to the outdoor living spaces. A full length deck supported by cyprus trees offers the opportunity for serious entertaining. The stone terrace off the downstairs family room leads directly to the two stall boathouse for lakeside entertaining with its own private fireplace.
Terrace Level:
14 foot ceilings, transom windows
A master suite
A guest room with trey ceilings, wool carpet, and full bath with copper sinks,double vanity and riverock shower
Family room with focal stone fireplace, wet bar with wine cooler, separate kitchen with sink, mini refrigerator and built in microwave
Wine closet with hand painted plaster finish
A full bath for drippy swimmers with oversized river rock shower accented with crayfish and salamander tiles
Extras
All windows are Loewen windows
A ridge vent system
Custom design closets
Poured foundation for house and boathouse
European spruce framing
Exterior siding: 1 x 12 pressure treated pine with 1 x 4 batten strips
Siding has three coat process of Sikkens stain finish
Ten masonry fireplaces
Stacked rock from Rocky Gap Virginia
Eight foot custom Honduran Pine
True plaster walls with three coat process faux finish
Locust hand rails for the deck
Support cyprus tree trunks from Charleston
Outside light fixtures custom made in NY
Five hot water heaters, circulating pump
Duel fuel heat pump/propane, 1000 gallon buried propane tank, four zone heating system
Two laundry rooms
All Fireplaces set up for flat screen TV's
Adjacent lot available for purchase

Stuart Wade, Envision Virtual Tours
Bobcat Lodge- Lake Rabun
Be welcomed to this perfect mountain/lake lodge through stone pillars down a driveway of stamped concrete and brick paver patterns to the porte cochere. The design philosophy seen in the home's exterior extends to the interior with 10 fireplaces, the finest materials, and extraordinary craftsmanship.
Great Room
Enter the striking foyer with the antique heart pine, walnut and bird's-eye maple inlaid pattern that harmonizes with the natural unity of the spacious great room. The visually anchored stone fireplace accented by hand hewn circa 1800 oak beams silhouettes the soft lake views making a dynamic design statement. The great room was designed with togetherness in mind and features high vaulted ceilings, wormy oak flooring with walnut borders, a spacious dining area, a gourmet kitchen and for softer and more intimate moments a keeping room.
Kitchen:
Wormy chestnut cabinets,
Complimenting South American granite countertops
Wolf cooktop, double oven
Preparation bar
Serving Buffet
Separate wet bar
Walk-in Pantry
Laundry Room: entrance off the foyer, wormy chestnut cabinets and South American granite
Keeping Room: Nestled off the kitchen area intimately scaled for quieter moments, wormy chestnut ceilings with hand hewn oak beams from Ohio and Pennsylvania, wormy oak flooring accented with walnut and sycamore, and private fireplace
Powder Room off foyer
Three Master Bedroom Suites: each with its own unique full bathroom and private alcove with masonry wood burning fireplace
Master suite on the main floor with full bath enlivened by a fish theme with earthtones and blue accents, a copper soaking tub, large shower and copper sinks
Upstairs master suite with wormy oak flooring sits snug above the lake looking through a tree canopy as from a tree house facilitating a peaceful, tranquil atmosphere- full bath features jetted tub, separate shower, large closet, and friendly lizards sitting on copper sinks
Terrace Level Master Suite offers trey ceilings, entrance to stone terrace supported by cyprus tree trunks giving the feel of a rainforest floor: Full bath includes double mosaic-raised copper sinks, antler lighting, jetted tub accented with aquatic life tiles and separate water closet
This warm and inviting rustic interior perfectly balances the outdoor lake vistas with the comfort of indoor living.moving directly to the outdoor living spaces. A full length deck supported by cyprus trees offers the opportunity for serious entertaining. The stone terrace off the downstairs family room leads directly to the two stall boathouse for lakeside entertaining with its own private fireplace.
Terrace Level:
14 foot ceilings, transom windows
A master suite
A guest room with trey ceilings, wool carpet, and full bath with copper sinks,double vanity and riverock shower
Family room with focal stone fireplace, wet bar with wine cooler, separate kitchen with sink, mini refrigerator and built in microwave
Wine closet with hand painted plaster finish
A full bath for drippy swimmers with oversized river rock shower accented with crayfish and salamander tiles
Extras
All windows are Loewen windows
A ridge vent system
Custom design closets
Poured foundation for house and boathouse
European spruce framing
Exterior siding: 1 x 12 pressure treated pine with 1 x 4 batten strips
Siding has three coat process of Sikkens stain finish
Ten masonry fireplaces
Stacked rock from Rocky Gap Virginia
Eight foot custom Honduran Pine
True plaster walls with three coat process faux finish
Locust hand rails for the deck
Support cyprus tree trunks from Charleston
Outside light fixtures custom made in NY
Five hot water heaters, circulating pump
Duel fuel heat pump/propane, 1000 gallon buried propane tank, four zone heating system
Two laundry rooms
All Fireplaces set up for flat screen TV's
Adjacent lot available for purchase

Inspiration for a large craftsman medium tone wood floor great room remodel in Portland with beige walls and no fireplace

Photos by Barbara Wilson. Bedford equine compound. Mock stone bridge created along the mile long entry drive. Stream channel created with stones to allow runoff from the detention pond on the other side of the bridge flow into an existing wetland and pond downstream.
A lovely equine compound was created out of a 35 acre woodland in Bedford Corners. The design team helped the owners create the home of their dreams out of a parcel with dense woodlands, a pond and NY State wetlands. Barbara was part of the team that helped coordinate local and state wetland permits for building a mile long driveway to the future house site thru wetlands and around an existing pond. She facilitated the layout of the horse paddocks, by obtaining tree permits to clear almost 5 acres for the future grazing areas and an outdoor riding ring. She then supervised the entire development of the landscape on the property. Fences were added enclosing the paddocks. A swimming pool and pool house were laid out to allow easy access to the house without blocking views to the adjacent woodlands. A custom spa was carved out of a piece of ledge at one end of the pool. An outdoor kitchen was designed for the pool area patio and another smaller stand-alone grill was provided at the main house. Mature plantings were added surrounding the house, driveway and outbuildings to create a luxuriant setting for the quaint farmhouse styled home. Mature apple trees were planted along the driveway between the barn and the main house to provide fruit for the family. A custom designed bridge and wood railing system was added along the entry drive where a detention pond overflow connected to an existing pond.

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!)
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