We added this archway - matching the other archway you see in the dining room. Left of it is the baking center complete with wooden cabinet that holds our ingredients and conceals the chimney. In the foreground, notice that we installed plug molding along the narrow island.

Freestanding bathtub - contemporary white tile freestanding bathtub idea in New York with flat-panel cabinets, black cabinets and an integrated sink

This is a built in storage system with open shelving and coat hooks. White cabinets and dark hardwood floors compliment this.
Entryway - mid-sized transitional medium tone wood floor entryway idea in Austin with beige walls

Christian Heeb
Inspiration for a contemporary bamboo floor living room remodel with a stone fireplace, beige walls and a ribbon fireplace

Master bathroom
Bathroom - small modern gray tile and ceramic tile ceramic tile bathroom idea with flat-panel cabinets and beige walls

Bathroom - traditional multicolored tile porcelain tile bathroom idea in Burlington with shaker cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, granite countertops and green walls

SRQ Magazine's Home of the Year 2015 Platinum Award for Best Bathroom, Best Kitchen, and Best Overall Renovation Photo: Raif Fluker
Example of a 1950s l-shaped concrete floor kitchen design in Tampa with flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, gray backsplash, glass tile backsplash and an island

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!)

Inspiration for a contemporary l-shaped kitchen remodel in Portland with stainless steel appliances, an island, gray backsplash and stone tile backsplash

Custom concrete countertop bbq surround.
Inspiration for a huge modern backyard stamped concrete patio kitchen remodel in San Francisco with no cover

bruce damonte
Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary open concept light wood floor family room remodel in San Francisco with white walls, a ribbon fireplace, a plaster fireplace and a tv stand

Small built-in desk home office photo in Philadelphia with multicolored walls

Cottage home design photo in Wiltshire

Enclosed kitchen - large transitional l-shaped light wood floor and brown floor enclosed kitchen idea in Atlanta with shaker cabinets, white cabinets, wood countertops, white backsplash, stainless steel appliances and no island

Mid-sized southwest l-shaped porcelain tile eat-in kitchen photo in Phoenix with a single-bowl sink, recessed-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, quartz countertops, multicolored backsplash, stone tile backsplash, paneled appliances and no island

Crisp, clean, lines of this beautiful black and white kitchen with a gray and warm wood twist~
Example of a mid-sized transitional u-shaped light wood floor kitchen pantry design in San Francisco with white cabinets, quartz countertops, ceramic backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island, an undermount sink, open cabinets and white backsplash

Inspiration for a 65 to 69 inch, white, 15 to 19 inch deep, 90 to 99 inch high and mid-sized transitional wood and guest storage queen size, carpeted and gray floor bedroom remodel in New York with beige walls and no fireplace

Featured on Houzz: 'Kitchen of the Week' Photographer: Dan Farmer
Eat-in kitchen - mid-sized contemporary u-shaped medium tone wood floor and brown floor eat-in kitchen idea in Boise with flat-panel cabinets, brown cabinets, granite countertops, white backsplash, stone slab backsplash, paneled appliances, an island, an undermount sink and gray countertops