alyssa kirsten
Bedroom - large transitional master medium tone wood floor and brown floor bedroom idea in Wilmington with beige walls

Master Bedroom with cathedral ceiling Patrick Roger Photography
Example of a mid-sized trendy master light wood floor and beige floor bedroom design in Boston with white walls and no fireplace

Inspiration for a large craftsman galley light wood floor open concept kitchen remodel in San Francisco with a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, solid surface countertops, stainless steel appliances, an island, white backsplash and subway tile backsplash

The new dining room while open, has an intimate feel and features a unique “ribbon” light fixture. Robert Vente Photography
Inspiration for a mid-sized 1960s dark wood floor and gray floor great room remodel in San Francisco with white walls, a two-sided fireplace and a tile fireplace

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!)

Miroslav Peric
Southwest terra-cotta tile hallway photo in Los Angeles with beige walls

Inspiration for a timeless gray tile mosaic tile floor, gray floor, single-sink and shiplap wall alcove bathtub remodel in Cleveland with shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, white walls, an undermount sink, white countertops and a freestanding vanity

Inspiration for a large coastal medium tone wood floor family room remodel in Seattle with white walls, a standard fireplace and a stone fireplace

Lianna Taratin
Inspiration for a large modern master light wood floor bedroom remodel in New York with blue walls

Jeff Amram Photography
Bedroom - transitional master medium tone wood floor and brown floor bedroom idea in Portland with beige walls

Joel Barbitta
Example of a large minimalist master beige tile freestanding bathtub design in Perth with flat-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, beige walls and a vessel sink

This project was a collaboration of Abby Hetherington and Kath Costani's creative talent.
Example of a mid-sized mountain style living room design with a stone fireplace

Bruce Glass Photography
Example of a tuscan brick floor and multicolored floor wine cellar design in Houston with storage racks

Large trendy multicolored one-story glass gable roof photo in Toronto with a metal roof

Beach style mudroom photo in Boston

This washroom has so many creative elements: a medicine cabinet that doubles as art, frosted aqua glass, counter tops, aqua blue mosaic glass tile in the shower, and honey coloured, white oak to keep the space warm and inviting. This washroom also houses a hidden laundry room that disappears into the decor of the washroom.

Lars Frazer
Large farmhouse green tile multicolored floor bathroom photo in Austin with flat-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, green walls, a console sink and white countertops

Breathtaking views of the incomparable Big Sur Coast, this classic Tuscan design of an Italian farmhouse, combined with a modern approach creates an ambiance of relaxed sophistication for this magnificent 95.73-acre, private coastal estate on California’s Coastal Ridge. Five-bedroom, 5.5-bath, 7,030 sq. ft. main house, and 864 sq. ft. caretaker house over 864 sq. ft. of garage and laundry facility. Commanding a ridge above the Pacific Ocean and Post Ranch Inn, this spectacular property has sweeping views of the California coastline and surrounding hills. “It’s as if a contemporary house were overlaid on a Tuscan farm-house ruin,” says decorator Craig Wright who created the interiors. The main residence was designed by renowned architect Mickey Muenning—the architect of Big Sur’s Post Ranch Inn, —who artfully combined the contemporary sensibility and the Tuscan vernacular, featuring vaulted ceilings, stained concrete floors, reclaimed Tuscan wood beams, antique Italian roof tiles and a stone tower. Beautifully designed for indoor/outdoor living; the grounds offer a plethora of comfortable and inviting places to lounge and enjoy the stunning views. No expense was spared in the construction of this exquisite estate.

Chad Mellon Photographer
Bathroom - transitional bathroom idea in Orange County