We were contacted by the Owners of this seasonal home on Lake Muskoka in 2017 to design a renovation of their existing cabin. The preliminary design goals for this project included large windows to capture waterfront views, a larger Living Room for hosting guests, an additional Bedroom, an Ensuite Bathroom for the Master Bedroom, and a new Kitchen with casual dining area. The project was to include a complete remodeling of the existing cabin. The finished result is a home with a distinguished and orderly appearance, and pleasant interior spaces incorporating modest luxury.

Our clients came to us with specific remodeling goals: to create a more functional mid-century home with an updated and larger kitchen, to resolve the public circulation through their primary bedroom, have a unified feel versus a house with multiple additions, and expanded views of the lovely Huron River, which is right outside their backyard. Our solutions focused on creating a new circulation system that reconnects the entire floor plan into a cohesive whole, and reinforces the connection to the outdoor courtyards.

We had the opportunity to design multiple additions to this 1940s shingle style residence.We created a new billiard room, den and office space by extending the front of the house over a patio and garage. Inspired by the existing gable roofs, we matched the existing character of the house. We extended the rear elevation to create a larger kitchen and breakfast nook as well as a master closet and guest bathroom on the second floor. Using natural materials, our goal was to create a home that would be inviting and comfortable.

We had the opportunity to design multiple additions to this 1940s shingle style residence.We created a new billiard room, den and office space by extending the front of the house over a patio and garage. Inspired by the existing gable roofs, we matched the existing character of the house. We extended the rear elevation to create a larger kitchen and breakfast nook as well as a master closet and guest bathroom on the second floor. Using natural materials, our goal was to create a home that would be inviting and comfortable.

The goal of this project was to provide a lush and vast garden for the new owners of this recently remodeled brick Georgian. Located in Wheaton this acre plus property is surrounded by beautiful Oaks. Preserving the Oaks became a particular challenge with the ample front walk and generous entertaining spaces the client desired. Under most of the Oaks the turf was in very poor condition, and most of the property was covered with undesirable overgrown underbrush such as Garlic Mustard weed and Buckthorn. With a recently completed addition, the garages were pushed farther from the front door leaving a large distance between the drive and entry to the home. This prompted the addition of a secondary door off the kitchen. A meandering walk curves past the secondary entry and leads guests through the front garden to the main entry. Off the secondary door a “kitchen patio” complete with a custom gate and Green Mountain Boxwood hedge give the clients a quaint space to enjoy a morning cup of joe. Stepping stone pathways lead around the home and weave through multiple pocket gardens within the vast backyard. The paths extend deep into the property leading to individual and unique gardens with a variety of plantings that are tied together with rustic stonewalls and sinuous turf areas. Closer to the home a large paver patio opens up to the backyard gardens. New stoops were constructed and existing stoops were covered in bluestone and mortared stonewalls were added, complimenting the classic Georgian architecture. The completed project accomplished all the goals of creating a lush and vast garden that fit the remodeled home and lifestyle of its new owners. Through careful planning, all mature Oaks were preserved, undesirables removed and numerous new plantings along with detailed stonework helped to define the new landscape.

Gave the kitchen of this foreclosed home a breath of fresh air. Changed hardware to all cabinets, replaced with granite countertops and appliances, added pendants, painted accessories white, added beadboard wainscoting and backsplash, and an espresso accent wall for drama. Our goal was to make the kitchen feel larger and more open.

The goal in updating this Redmond breakfast nook was to make it feel inviting and cozy. We started with a room that felt crowded and lacked personality. By added white board + batten with white grasscloth above we gained some much needed texture. New lighting, updated furniture and striped curtains create a welcoming space. Photo Credit: Holland Photography - Cory Holland - HollandPhotography.biz

A simple refreshment is always needed for all bathrooms large and small. The issue is always what to do in a kids / guest bathroom that will have lots of use and yet you still wish to remain clean and timeless. The clean look of extra-large porcelain tiles is the way to go when you want to achieve such a goal. The black plumbing fixtures by Grohe complement the marble look of the porcelain tile. The tub you see here is an XL 72"x36" to gives the room one needs for a spa like soaking experience and at the same time is larger (if not larger) than most regular shower pan areas. The stained inset vanity cabinet provides a much-needed warmth in the cool black and white color scheme.

A simple refreshment is always needed for all bathrooms large and small. The issue is always what to do in a kids / guest bathroom that will have lots of use and yet you still wish to remain clean and timeless. The clean look of extra-large porcelain tiles is the way to go when you want to achieve such a goal. The black plumbing fixtures by Grohe complement the marble look of the porcelain tile. The tub you see here is an XL 72"x36" to gives the room one needs for a spa like soaking experience and at the same time is larger (if not larger) than most regular shower pan areas. The stained inset vanity cabinet provides a much-needed warmth in the cool black and white color scheme.

This project began right after the homeowners moved in. The only furnishings re-used were the beautiful rugs collected over time and travels. The goal was to create a welcoming space for family and friends to gather. We used the rugs as a jumping off point, choosing colourful fabrics and themes that reflect a global aesthetic. Living Room tables were carefully chosen to be individual pieces while allowing the rug to show through. The custom wall unit was designed by Teresa for the homeowners' many books and collectibles as well as the TV, and was built by Ian Schroeder of Forest Hill Woodwork and Cabinetry. Benches were added under the windows to maximize seating for larger gatherings. Photos by Kelly Horkoff, kwestimages.com

We had the opportunity to design multiple additions to this 1940s shingle style residence.We created a new billiard room, den and office space by extending the front of the house over a patio and garage. Inspired by the existing gable roofs, we matched the existing character of the house. We extended the rear elevation to create a larger kitchen and breakfast nook as well as a master closet and guest bathroom on the second floor. Using natural materials, our goal was to create a home that would be inviting and comfortable.

Box pleated valance with wood bead trim on a shaped hem. The fabric is board mounted and was installed up to the ceiling and over to each side wall to create a larger window area. The decorators goal was to achieve a calming relaxed island look using soft colors to compliment the gray walls and bamboo accessories.

In Southern California there are pockets of darling cottages built in the early 20th century that we like to call jewelry boxes. They are quaint, full of charm and usually a bit cramped. Our clients have a growing family and needed a modern, functional home. They opted for a renovation that directly addressed their concerns. When we first saw this 2,170 square-foot 3-bedroom beach cottage, the front door opened directly into a staircase and a dead-end hallway. The kitchen was cramped, the living room was claustrophobic and everything felt dark and dated. The big picture items included pitching the living room ceiling to create space and taking down a kitchen wall. We added a French oven and luxury range that the wife had always dreamed about, a custom vent hood, and custom-paneled appliances. We added a downstairs half-bath for guests (entirely designed around its whimsical wallpaper) and converted one of the existing bathrooms into a Jack-and-Jill, connecting the kids’ bedrooms, with double sinks and a closed-off toilet and shower for privacy. In the bathrooms, we added white marble floors and wainscoting. We created storage throughout the home with custom-cabinets, new closets and built-ins, such as bookcases, desks and shelving. White Sands Design/Build furnished the entire cottage mostly with commissioned pieces, including a custom dining table and upholstered chairs. We updated light fixtures and added brass hardware throughout, to create a vintage, bo-ho vibe. The best thing about this cottage is the charming backyard accessory dwelling unit (ADU), designed in the same style as the larger structure. In order to keep the ADU it was necessary to renovate less than 50% of the main home, which took some serious strategy, otherwise the non-conforming ADU would need to be torn out. We renovated the bathroom with white walls and pine flooring, transforming it into a get-away that will grow with the girls.

Open and screened porches are strategically located to allow pleasant outdoor use at any time of day, particular season or, if necessary, insect challenge. Dramatic cantilevers allow the porches to extend into the site’s beautiful mixed hardwood tree canopy. Essential client goals were a sustainable low-maintenance house, primarily single floor living, orientation to views, natural light to interiors, establishment of individual privacy, creation of a formal outdoor space for gardening, incorporation of a full workshop for cars, generous indoor and outdoor social space for guests and parties.

Our clients came to us with specific remodeling goals: to create a more functional mid-century home with an updated and larger kitchen, to resolve the public circulation through their primary bedroom, have a unified feel versus a house with multiple additions, and expanded views of the lovely Huron River, which is right outside their backyard. Our solutions focused on creating a new circulation system that reconnects the entire floor plan into a cohesive whole, and reinforces the connection to the outdoor courtyards.

The beautiful design of this laundry room makes the idea of doing laundry seem like less of a chore! This space includes ample counter space, cabinetry storage, as well as a sink.

Our clients came to us with specific remodeling goals: to create a more functional mid-century home with an updated and larger kitchen, to resolve the public circulation through their primary bedroom, have a unified feel versus a house with multiple additions, and expanded views of the lovely Huron River, which is right outside their backyard. Our solutions focused on creating a new circulation system that reconnects the entire floor plan into a cohesive whole, and reinforces the connection to the outdoor courtyards.

In this recent kitchen design and renovation project, these long time clients came to me originally, several years ago to start discussing the design of their kitchen. At that time, the kitchen in this 1800’s home included a kitchen that had been poorly remodeled in the 1980’s, so the kitchen had already lost most of it’s original charm. I created a design plan creating a beautiful large kitchen expanding the space into the adjacent rooms. My clients loved this design plan, but other home issues took precedence, so after a few additional years, my clients were now ready to start their kitchen project. Their overall goals for the property did change since we first looked at this project, my clients decided that they did not want to enlarge or expand the small kitchen by opening it up to the adjacent rooms. So, I went back to the drawing board to create a kitchen in the existing kitchen space that fulfilled their new goals and created a beautiful functional space within the existing kitchen space. This new design, like my former design, honored this home’s traditional architecture, but added a light, fresh feel to the space using updated colors and material selections. This design consisted of additional storage and cabinetry, additional countertop space, and a small space to sit. We added new cabinetry, appliances, electrical, plumbing, beautiful quartz countertops, glass backsplash tile, traditional lighting fixtures, and finished everything off using beautiful classic hardware elements. My clients are now in love with this new renovated kitchen space. It contains many of the elements of a much larger kitchen, and melds beautifully with the rest of the house which we have also designed renovated over the last few years. Finally my client’s get to enjoy their new kitchen space as much as they enjoy the rest of this beautiful home!

Our clients came to us with specific remodeling goals: to create a more functional mid-century home with an updated and larger kitchen, to resolve the public circulation through their primary bedroom, have a unified feel versus a house with multiple additions, and expanded views of the lovely Huron River, which is right outside their backyard. Our solutions focused on creating a new circulation system that reconnects the entire floor plan into a cohesive whole, and reinforces the connection to the outdoor courtyards.