A house with such incredible views as this one should take full advantage of them. We began with the entrance – turning an uninsulated mudroom into a warm and light-filled welcoming area. The kitchen was opened and outfitted with birch cabinetry, light grey countertops, and steel appliances. A large central island makes this a natural gathering place to share food and conversation. The transition between the kitchen and the living room is seamless. A full splash of windows allows for uninterrupted views of the ocean from a comfortable seat on the couch. The interior stair connecting floors is suspended by stainless steel rods so as to appear to “float.” This gravity-defying link both sets the tone for this relaxed and refreshing home and allows light to spread through the space. Cohesive design throughout the living area gives this house personality without the puzzle. With the constraint of not being able to move the structure any closer to the ocean, we reframed the front half of the house to build out the master bedroom. Now this room has spectacular water views, and the addition of a new roof deck provides an elevated vantage point with an invitation to sit back and relax. To limit any future tangles in this house for our clients, we paid special attention to making the renovated elements as high quality as possible. The windows were replaced with triple-glazed units and new insulation was installed to increase efficiency. Frequent communication and great teamwork between owner, builder, and architect made this an easy and light-filled renovation, to be enjoyed for many years to come.

A house with such incredible views as this one should take full advantage of them. We began with the entrance – turning an uninsulated mudroom into a warm and light-filled welcoming area. The kitchen was opened and outfitted with birch cabinetry, light grey countertops, and steel appliances. A large central island makes this a natural gathering place to share food and conversation. The transition between the kitchen and the living room is seamless. A full splash of windows allows for uninterrupted views of the ocean from a comfortable seat on the couch. The interior stair connecting floors is suspended by stainless steel rods so as to appear to “float.” This gravity-defying link both sets the tone for this relaxed and refreshing home and allows light to spread through the space. Cohesive design throughout the living area gives this house personality without the puzzle. With the constraint of not being able to move the structure any closer to the ocean, we reframed the front half of the house to build out the master bedroom. Now this room has spectacular water views, and the addition of a new roof deck provides an elevated vantage point with an invitation to sit back and relax. To limit any future tangles in this house for our clients, we paid special attention to making the renovated elements as high quality as possible. The windows were replaced with triple-glazed units and new insulation was installed to increase efficiency. Frequent communication and great teamwork between owner, builder, and architect made this an easy and light-filled renovation, to be enjoyed for many years to come.

Deck - coastal mixed material railing deck idea in Charleston with a roof extension

A house with such incredible views as this one should take full advantage of them. We began with the entrance – turning an uninsulated mudroom into a warm and light-filled welcoming area. The kitchen was opened and outfitted with birch cabinetry, light grey countertops, and steel appliances. A large central island makes this a natural gathering place to share food and conversation. The transition between the kitchen and the living room is seamless. A full splash of windows allows for uninterrupted views of the ocean from a comfortable seat on the couch. The interior stair connecting floors is suspended by stainless steel rods so as to appear to “float.” This gravity-defying link both sets the tone for this relaxed and refreshing home and allows light to spread through the space. Cohesive design throughout the living area gives this house personality without the puzzle. With the constraint of not being able to move the structure any closer to the ocean, we reframed the front half of the house to build out the master bedroom. Now this room has spectacular water views, and the addition of a new roof deck provides an elevated vantage point with an invitation to sit back and relax. To limit any future tangles in this house for our clients, we paid special attention to making the renovated elements as high quality as possible. The windows were replaced with triple-glazed units and new insulation was installed to increase efficiency. Frequent communication and great teamwork between owner, builder, and architect made this an easy and light-filled renovation, to be enjoyed for many years to come.

A house with such incredible views as this one should take full advantage of them. We began with the entrance – turning an uninsulated mudroom into a warm and light-filled welcoming area. The kitchen was opened and outfitted with birch cabinetry, light grey countertops, and steel appliances. A large central island makes this a natural gathering place to share food and conversation. The transition between the kitchen and the living room is seamless. A full splash of windows allows for uninterrupted views of the ocean from a comfortable seat on the couch. The interior stair connecting floors is suspended by stainless steel rods so as to appear to “float.” This gravity-defying link both sets the tone for this relaxed and refreshing home and allows light to spread through the space. Cohesive design throughout the living area gives this house personality without the puzzle. With the constraint of not being able to move the structure any closer to the ocean, we reframed the front half of the house to build out the master bedroom. Now this room has spectacular water views, and the addition of a new roof deck provides an elevated vantage point with an invitation to sit back and relax. To limit any future tangles in this house for our clients, we paid special attention to making the renovated elements as high quality as possible. The windows were replaced with triple-glazed units and new insulation was installed to increase efficiency. Frequent communication and great teamwork between owner, builder, and architect made this an easy and light-filled renovation, to be enjoyed for many years to come.

A house with such incredible views as this one should take full advantage of them. We began with the entrance – turning an uninsulated mudroom into a warm and light-filled welcoming area. The kitchen was opened and outfitted with birch cabinetry, light grey countertops, and steel appliances. A large central island makes this a natural gathering place to share food and conversation. The transition between the kitchen and the living room is seamless. A full splash of windows allows for uninterrupted views of the ocean from a comfortable seat on the couch. The interior stair connecting floors is suspended by stainless steel rods so as to appear to “float.” This gravity-defying link both sets the tone for this relaxed and refreshing home and allows light to spread through the space. Cohesive design throughout the living area gives this house personality without the puzzle. With the constraint of not being able to move the structure any closer to the ocean, we reframed the front half of the house to build out the master bedroom. Now this room has spectacular water views, and the addition of a new roof deck provides an elevated vantage point with an invitation to sit back and relax. To limit any future tangles in this house for our clients, we paid special attention to making the renovated elements as high quality as possible. The windows were replaced with triple-glazed units and new insulation was installed to increase efficiency. Frequent communication and great teamwork between owner, builder, and architect made this an easy and light-filled renovation, to be enjoyed for many years to come.

Our clients wanted to increase the size of their kitchen, which was small, in comparison to the overall size of the home. They wanted a more open livable space for the family to be able to hang out downstairs. They wanted to remove the walls downstairs in the front formal living and den making them a new large den/entering room. They also wanted to remove the powder and laundry room from the center of the kitchen, giving them more functional space in the kitchen that was completely opened up to their den. The addition was planned to be one story with a bedroom/game room (flex space), laundry room, bathroom (to serve as the on-suite to the bedroom and pool bath), and storage closet. They also wanted a larger sliding door leading out to the pool. We demoed the entire kitchen, including the laundry room and powder bath that were in the center! The wall between the den and formal living was removed, completely opening up that space to the entry of the house. A small space was separated out from the main den area, creating a flex space for them to become a home office, sitting area, or reading nook. A beautiful fireplace was added, surrounded with slate ledger, flanked with built-in bookcases creating a focal point to the den. Behind this main open living area, is the addition. When the addition is not being utilized as a guest room, it serves as a game room for their two young boys. There is a large closet in there great for toys or additional storage. A full bath was added, which is connected to the bedroom, but also opens to the hallway so that it can be used for the pool bath. The new laundry room is a dream come true! Not only does it have room for cabinets, but it also has space for a much-needed extra refrigerator. There is also a closet inside the laundry room for additional storage. This first-floor addition has greatly enhanced the functionality of this family’s daily lives. Previously, there was essentially only one small space for them to hang out downstairs, making it impossible for more than one conversation to be had. Now, the kids can be playing air hockey, video games, or roughhousing in the game room, while the adults can be enjoying TV in the den or cooking in the kitchen, without interruption! While living through a remodel might not be easy, the outcome definitely outweighs the struggles throughout the process.

A house with such incredible views as this one should take full advantage of them. We began with the entrance – turning an uninsulated mudroom into a warm and light-filled welcoming area. The kitchen was opened and outfitted with birch cabinetry, light grey countertops, and steel appliances. A large central island makes this a natural gathering place to share food and conversation. The transition between the kitchen and the living room is seamless. A full splash of windows allows for uninterrupted views of the ocean from a comfortable seat on the couch. The interior stair connecting floors is suspended by stainless steel rods so as to appear to “float.” This gravity-defying link both sets the tone for this relaxed and refreshing home and allows light to spread through the space. Cohesive design throughout the living area gives this house personality without the puzzle. With the constraint of not being able to move the structure any closer to the ocean, we reframed the front half of the house to build out the master bedroom. Now this room has spectacular water views, and the addition of a new roof deck provides an elevated vantage point with an invitation to sit back and relax. To limit any future tangles in this house for our clients, we paid special attention to making the renovated elements as high quality as possible. The windows were replaced with triple-glazed units and new insulation was installed to increase efficiency. Frequent communication and great teamwork between owner, builder, and architect made this an easy and light-filled renovation, to be enjoyed for many years to come.

A house with such incredible views as this one should take full advantage of them. We began with the entrance – turning an uninsulated mudroom into a warm and light-filled welcoming area. The kitchen was opened and outfitted with birch cabinetry, light grey countertops, and steel appliances. A large central island makes this a natural gathering place to share food and conversation. The transition between the kitchen and the living room is seamless. A full splash of windows allows for uninterrupted views of the ocean from a comfortable seat on the couch. The interior stair connecting floors is suspended by stainless steel rods so as to appear to “float.” This gravity-defying link both sets the tone for this relaxed and refreshing home and allows light to spread through the space. Cohesive design throughout the living area gives this house personality without the puzzle. With the constraint of not being able to move the structure any closer to the ocean, we reframed the front half of the house to build out the master bedroom. Now this room has spectacular water views, and the addition of a new roof deck provides an elevated vantage point with an invitation to sit back and relax. To limit any future tangles in this house for our clients, we paid special attention to making the renovated elements as high quality as possible. The windows were replaced with triple-glazed units and new insulation was installed to increase efficiency. Frequent communication and great teamwork between owner, builder, and architect made this an easy and light-filled renovation, to be enjoyed for many years to come.

A house with such incredible views as this one should take full advantage of them. We began with the entrance – turning an uninsulated mudroom into a warm and light-filled welcoming area. The kitchen was opened and outfitted with birch cabinetry, light grey countertops, and steel appliances. A large central island makes this a natural gathering place to share food and conversation. The transition between the kitchen and the living room is seamless. A full splash of windows allows for uninterrupted views of the ocean from a comfortable seat on the couch. The interior stair connecting floors is suspended by stainless steel rods so as to appear to “float.” This gravity-defying link both sets the tone for this relaxed and refreshing home and allows light to spread through the space. Cohesive design throughout the living area gives this house personality without the puzzle. With the constraint of not being able to move the structure any closer to the ocean, we reframed the front half of the house to build out the master bedroom. Now this room has spectacular water views, and the addition of a new roof deck provides an elevated vantage point with an invitation to sit back and relax. To limit any future tangles in this house for our clients, we paid special attention to making the renovated elements as high quality as possible. The windows were replaced with triple-glazed units and new insulation was installed to increase efficiency. Frequent communication and great teamwork between owner, builder, and architect made this an easy and light-filled renovation, to be enjoyed for many years to come.

Governor's House Entry by Lisa Tharp. 2019 Bulfinch Award - Interior Design. Photo by Michael J. Lee
Transitional painted wood floor foyer photo with white walls and a black front door

A house with such incredible views as this one should take full advantage of them. We began with the entrance – turning an uninsulated mudroom into a warm and light-filled welcoming area. The kitchen was opened and outfitted with birch cabinetry, light grey countertops, and steel appliances. A large central island makes this a natural gathering place to share food and conversation. The transition between the kitchen and the living room is seamless. A full splash of windows allows for uninterrupted views of the ocean from a comfortable seat on the couch. The interior stair connecting floors is suspended by stainless steel rods so as to appear to “float.” This gravity-defying link both sets the tone for this relaxed and refreshing home and allows light to spread through the space. Cohesive design throughout the living area gives this house personality without the puzzle. With the constraint of not being able to move the structure any closer to the ocean, we reframed the front half of the house to build out the master bedroom. Now this room has spectacular water views, and the addition of a new roof deck provides an elevated vantage point with an invitation to sit back and relax. To limit any future tangles in this house for our clients, we paid special attention to making the renovated elements as high quality as possible. The windows were replaced with triple-glazed units and new insulation was installed to increase efficiency. Frequent communication and great teamwork between owner, builder, and architect made this an easy and light-filled renovation, to be enjoyed for many years to come.

A house with such incredible views as this one should take full advantage of them. We began with the entrance – turning an uninsulated mudroom into a warm and light-filled welcoming area. The kitchen was opened and outfitted with birch cabinetry, light grey countertops, and steel appliances. A large central island makes this a natural gathering place to share food and conversation. The transition between the kitchen and the living room is seamless. A full splash of windows allows for uninterrupted views of the ocean from a comfortable seat on the couch. The interior stair connecting floors is suspended by stainless steel rods so as to appear to “float.” This gravity-defying link both sets the tone for this relaxed and refreshing home and allows light to spread through the space. Cohesive design throughout the living area gives this house personality without the puzzle. With the constraint of not being able to move the structure any closer to the ocean, we reframed the front half of the house to build out the master bedroom. Now this room has spectacular water views, and the addition of a new roof deck provides an elevated vantage point with an invitation to sit back and relax. To limit any future tangles in this house for our clients, we paid special attention to making the renovated elements as high quality as possible. The windows were replaced with triple-glazed units and new insulation was installed to increase efficiency. Frequent communication and great teamwork between owner, builder, and architect made this an easy and light-filled renovation, to be enjoyed for many years to come.

A house with such incredible views as this one should take full advantage of them. We began with the entrance – turning an uninsulated mudroom into a warm and light-filled welcoming area. The kitchen was opened and outfitted with birch cabinetry, light grey countertops, and steel appliances. A large central island makes this a natural gathering place to share food and conversation. The transition between the kitchen and the living room is seamless. A full splash of windows allows for uninterrupted views of the ocean from a comfortable seat on the couch. The interior stair connecting floors is suspended by stainless steel rods so as to appear to “float.” This gravity-defying link both sets the tone for this relaxed and refreshing home and allows light to spread through the space. Cohesive design throughout the living area gives this house personality without the puzzle. With the constraint of not being able to move the structure any closer to the ocean, we reframed the front half of the house to build out the master bedroom. Now this room has spectacular water views, and the addition of a new roof deck provides an elevated vantage point with an invitation to sit back and relax. To limit any future tangles in this house for our clients, we paid special attention to making the renovated elements as high quality as possible. The windows were replaced with triple-glazed units and new insulation was installed to increase efficiency. Frequent communication and great teamwork between owner, builder, and architect made this an easy and light-filled renovation, to be enjoyed for many years to come.

Orange County, CA - Dynamic Garage Doors include multifunctional door configurations not only for regular garages but garages that have been converted to home offices, playrooms, additional bedrooms, multipurpose rooms as well as man caves throughout the Southern California regions. This custom garage door project consisted of creating a newly renovated garage into a multipurpose room which would double as a home office as well as entertainment space for guests. The original overhead garage door was eliminated to open up the room space and give the interior of this garage a real room feel as opposed to a makeshift room with an obvious garage feel. Since the converted garage was to be used as an entertainment area as well as an office it became obvious to introduce bi-folding doors or former accordion doors that could be pushed out of the way to expand the indoors to the outdoors and thus expanding the entertainment to the exterior of the structure as well during those summer evening gatherings. The large glass panes allow ample natural light to bathe the interior of the room when being used as an office and can keep the room's climate under controlled when the accordion doors are completely closed. These custom bi-folding doors seal out the weather while allowing the outdoors in with a warm vivid shower of natural light. What a pleasure it must be to have a working office with staggering windows that can double as an entertainment center in the evenings and weekends! Dynamic Garage Doors aren't just garage doors, they are functional creations that come in unlimited configurations to suit your needs. Whether you're converting your garage to useful, liveable square footage or simply increasing your home's curb appeal with one of our world-class designed garage doors. We've got just the door solution for your garage! Call us today for project price consultation: (855) 343-DOOR

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!)

Collaboration with Canonbury Homes and Frank Neely Design Associates.
Inspiration for a timeless open concept kitchen remodel in Atlanta with beaded inset cabinets and two islands

The layout of this early 90’s home was adequate for the husband when he was just living there. However, now the family of three and their loving cat live there together; the space quickly became confined and inadequate. The Clients contacted us to discuss what their options may be to help the home feel more spacious. After a few weeks of design and engineering, we went to work on opening up the first floor to increase the size of the rooms while creating continuity with the adjoining rooms. A once tired and confined layout became a spacious, comfortable, & aesthetically pleasing space to live and entertain.

This young family began working with us after struggling with their previous contractor. They were over budget and not achieving what they really needed with the addition they were proposing. Rather than extend the existing footprint of their house as had been suggested, we proposed completely changing the orientation of their separate kitchen, living room, dining room, and sunroom and opening it all up to an open floor plan. By changing the configuration of doors and windows to better suit the new layout and sight lines, we were able to improve the views of their beautiful backyard and increase the natural light allowed into the spaces. We raised the floor in the sunroom to allow for a level cohesive floor throughout the areas. Their extended kitchen now has a nice sitting area within the kitchen to allow for conversation with friends and family during meal prep and entertaining. The sitting area opens to a full dining room with built in buffet and hutch that functions as a serving station. Conscious thought was given that all “permanent” selections such as cabinetry and countertops were designed to suit the masses, with a splash of this homeowner’s individual style in the double herringbone soft gray tile of the backsplash, the mitred edge of the island countertop, and the mixture of metals in the plumbing and lighting fixtures. Careful consideration was given to the function of each cabinet and organization and storage was maximized. This family is now able to entertain their extended family with seating for 18 and not only enjoy entertaining in a space that feels open and inviting, but also enjoy sitting down as a family for the simple pleasure of supper together.