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!)

A cozy breakfast room with large windows that offer scenic views of the backyard. The wooden floors and a simple black chandelier enhance the room's charm, making it an ideal space for family meals or casual dining.

Split Level 1970 home of a young and active family of four. The main public spaces in this home were remodeled to create a fresh, clean look. The Jack + Mare demo'd the kitchen and dining room down to studs and removed the wall between the kitchen/dining and living room to create an open concept space with a clean and fresh new kitchen and dining with ample storage. Now the family can all be together and enjoy one another's company even if mom or dad is busy in the kitchen prepping the next meal. The custom white cabinets and the blue accent island (and walls) really give a nice clean and fun feel to the space. The island has a gorgeous local solid slab of wood on top. A local artisan salvaged and milled up the big leaf maple for this project. In fact, the tree was from the University of Portland's campus located right where the client once rode the bus to school when she was a child. So it's an extra special custom piece! (fun fact: there is a bullet lodged in the wood that is visible...we estimate it was shot into the tree 30-35 years ago!) The 'public' spaces were given a brand new waterproof luxury vinyl wide plank tile. With 2 young daughters, a large golden retriever and elderly cat, the durable floor was a must. project scope at quick glance: - demo'd and rebuild kitchen and dining room. - removed wall separating kitchen/dining and living room - removed carpet and installed new flooring in public spaces - removed stair carpet and gave fresh black and white paint - painted all public spaces - new hallway doorknob harware - all new LED lighting (kitchen, dining, living room and hallway) Jason Quigley Photography

A custom-made butcher block table, conceived by the designer and handmade by local artisans, was constructed of 150 year old barn wood and slides to fit a niche within the central island. The heavy, practical weight of the butcher block is perfect to gather the family around for a meal, or to spread out and work on during meal prep. Photography by David Bryce

Modern Industrial, Minimal Sleek Dining Tables ready for family gatherings and meals. The bases are hand welded and the tables are locally made. American Hardwoods and Heavy Gauge Steel.

Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary u-shaped dark wood floor and brown floor kitchen pantry remodel in Seattle with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, quartzite countertops, beige backsplash, stone tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and white countertops

David Patterson
Patio - country patio idea in Denver with a fire pit, decking and a roof extension

A round dining table and quilted chairs sit beneath a geometric brass lantern in the cozy breakfast nook. Custom layered drapery and the stone fireplace make it a warm spot for everyday meals.

Quinn and Paige, residents of this tired 1960’s tri-level home hated their kitchen. As a matter of fact, prior to making plans to renovate the first floor - they considered selling the home, but were reluctant because of its enviable location near the heart of downtown Barrington which was within walking distance to local stores and all their favorite places. So instead they contacted Advance Design Studio after hearing about them from a neighbor, to rescue their tired home and give it new life. The very first plan was to remove the constricting walls surrounding the original kitchen, and open the expansive first floor living room and dining area to the new heart of the space; a stunning state of the art coastal designed kitchen. Exposing attractive beams in the vaulted ceiling created an interesting structural detail that suits the open plan and salutes the original architecture of the home, further emphasizing the height of the new space enjoyed now by the family as a great room. The stage was set for the seaside feel of this kitchen by pairing crisp white painted maple cabinets with Dura Supreme’s one of kind hand weathered finish on the island in soft blue-green finish. But the authentic feeling of being on your favorite beach was supremely achieved by the matching of unique Mt. Claire marble on the island and the specialty Wareham acid washed stone on the perimeter counter tops. Pictures don’t do justice to the feel of this stone under your hand; its water-washed texture reminds instantly of summer vacations collecting rocks softly etched by hundreds of waves. Stainless steel appliances and satin nickel hardware shine brightly against the backdrop of bright white subway tiles accentuated by subtle grey grout lines contributing to the nautical feel of this comfortable kitchen. Seeded glass door cabinetry reminiscent of beach grasses dress up the space just enough, and a proud 6” stacked crown molding extends above 36” wall cabinets into the expanse of the now taller space; balancing this kitchen nicely within its newly integrated home. Features in this kitchen include a built in standard depth refrigerator, pull out spice racks, tall tray dividers and wood super Susan with double pull out trash and recycling. A cutlery divider holds sharp knives, and an angled cabinet was customized to hold a secret USB charging station. The bright white Kohler farm sink is graced by an elegant bridge faucet in brushed nickel. This now airy and spacious kitchen has room for guest and family to congregate around the large island, complete with stools and attractive hidden storage for seldom used entertainment pieces. “I was sold when I saw the drawings. My designer nailed it, down to every last storage idea and coastal detail I envisioned, it was all in there. It was unbelievable how accurate her interpretation was of what was in my head; working with her made my kitchen renovation so easy, it’s as if she literally read my mind”, said Paige enthusiastically. The woman of the house expressed upon completion not only her love for her fantastic new cooking space, but how renovating her kitchen has given new life to the entire home. Talk of moving has been relegated to the recycling bin, and instead the family is discussing plans to renovate the master bath now that they’ve decided to stay for the long term. Friends who visit the home do a double-take as they recognize the new space’s dramatic transformation from original cramped and closed spaces - to the now amazingly fresh open kitchen that has become the center of every gathering and family meal. Designer: Nicole Ryan Photographer: Joe Nowak

Parisian apartment kitchens are usually small and efficient, with a mix of modern appliances and traditional design elements. They often feature a small table or breakfast bar, large windows, and limited storage space. Despite their compact size, Parisian kitchens are important for cooking and preparing meals with fresh, local ingredients.

Parisian kitchens are often compact and efficient, with modern appliances and traditional elements. They may have a small table or breakfast bar, and storage space can be limited. They are an important part of the city's culinary culture, where residents can prepare meals using fresh, local ingredients.

The Beach Garden was a temporary self-sustaining settlement. The intelligent combination of products, the elements, and use of the elements, is something we accomplish in cooperation with Lab Vlieland, the Dutch Forestry Commission and a number of designers and engineers. How? Groundfridges for fish-bars and beer-cooling facilities Outdoor stoves where you can prepare your own meal Dutchtubs filled with salt water, heated by fires from driftwood or locally cut timber Energy from wind and sun for lighting and music Sand landscapes that offer privacy and shelter from the wind

Parisian kitchens are often compact, efficient, and combine modern appliances with traditional elements. They may include a small table or breakfast bar, have large windows, and limited storage space. They are an important part of the city's culinary culture, where residents can prepare meals using fresh, local ingredients from markets and specialty shops.

The kitchen boasts clean white cabinetry and a large central island with a wooden accent panel for added character. High-end stainless steel appliances, a sleek white backsplash, and gold hardware create a modern yet inviting space. The dining area, framed by large windows, offers a serene view of the backyard, making it a perfect spot for family meals or casual dining.

Staging/Styling D. Haase Photography D. DeGraffenreid
Home design - cottage home design idea in New York

Parisian kitchens are typically compact, efficient, and a mix of modern appliances and traditional elements. They often have a small table or breakfast bar, large windows, and limited storage space. They are an important part of the city's culinary culture, where residents can prepare meals using fresh, local ingredients from the many markets and specialty shops around the city.

Margaret Wright Photography © 2018 Houzz
Dining room - coastal medium tone wood floor and brown floor dining room idea in Charleston with white walls

Local Artisan tiles, Sunbrella Fabrics, + Terracotta Pottery give this home a warm, welcoming feel with nods to the Spanish Style seen throughout San Clemente. Buganvilias bloom with pops of colorful fuschia, as trellised vines grow tall. A colored cement and pebbled pathway lead from the front courtyard, to the backyard, where fire pits and meals with friends and family are enjoyed.

Parisian kitchens are typically small and efficient, featuring a mix of modern appliances and traditional elements like tiled floors and marble countertops. They often include a small table or breakfast bar and have limited storage space. Despite their size, Parisian kitchens are an essential part of the city's culinary culture, where residents can prepare meals using fresh, local ingredients from nearby markets and specialty shops.