A typical post-1906 Noe Valley house is simultaneously restored, expanded and redesigned to keep what works and rethink what doesn’t. The front façade, is scraped and painted a crisp monochrome white—it worked. The new asymmetrical gabled rear addition takes the place of a windowless dead end box that didn’t. A “Great kitchen”, open yet formally defined living and dining rooms, a generous master suite, and kid’s rooms with nooks and crannies, all make for a newly designed house that straddles old and new. Structural Engineer: Gregory Paul Wallace SE General Contractor: Cardea Building Co. Photographer: Open Homes Photography

A homeowner who we’d worked with previously (a bathroom we’d remodeled for him was named ‘Bathroom of the Year’ by Boston Globe Magazine in 2007.) contacted us with a new project in mind. Following a divorce and second marriage, he and his family had moved into mid-sized home that felt too cramped for two adults and four children. Working within its existing frame, we set to work creating a more functional and pleasant living experience. The family’s main gathering area is the kitchen. We began improving the space by absorbing square footage from what had been a mudroom/laundry area behind the kitchen. This allowed us to introduce an island, creating a focal point for meal prep, cooking, and socializing. New custom cabinetry increased storage. We added a homework nook for the kids. Wider openings to the foyer and the dining room made flow between spaces easier. At the home’s entry, we re-treaded and re-finished the staircase, adding new railings and newell post. An orange fiberglass exterior door contrasts playfully with the home’s deep blue exterior. Finishing the basement allowed the introduction of a new laundry area, a cozy family room/kids play space, and a workshop. In this last space we reconfigured some kitchen items that had been ordered but were unusable due to a last-minute change in plans, including a cabinet now used for tool storage and a wall panel that became a workbench. On the home’s second floor, one bedroom had been accessible only by passing through another bedroom. The family’s two teenage children had been enduring this arrangement via solutions that included placing duct tape along the floor to mark passage boundaries. We were able to give each child much-desired private space by borrowing square-footage from a closet and carving out a hallway with separate entries for each room. Another bedroom on the second floor was refreshed with a new coat of paint. Photo by Shelly Harrison

via our website ~ This greenhouse is an original design by Jamaica Cottage Shop. The five six-light (true light) barn sash windows are hinged to open out, making this design comfortable and easy to use. An additional window in the gable end allows extra light and enhances the charm of this little cottage. The roofing material is corrugated translucent fiberglass, allowing the light to further penetrate but not to overheat the building with direct sun light. There is no floor to worry about rotting away. The cottage sits on a layer of treated lumber, and we suggest it be placed on a layer of brick or stone, gravel, or directly on the ground. A complete wrap-around shelf provides ample work and plant space. The overall height is 8’6″. The greenhouse in this picture has been customized with a salvaged front door that has been painted red and handmade wrought iron (local) scroll hinges, which we carry as an option. These shed kits take one person approximately 25 hours to assemble. Designed for the beginner carpenter, the kit pieces are color coded, part numbered and detailed in an exploded view. Hand made in Vermont from native rough sawn hemlock and pine lumber, the pre-cut lumber package includes all fastening hardware, roofing, and step-by-step plans. Also available as diy garden shed plans or as fully assembled greenhouses.

A typical post-1906 Noe Valley house is simultaneously restored, expanded and redesigned to keep what works and rethink what doesn’t. The front façade, is scraped and painted a crisp monochrome white—it worked. The new asymmetrical gabled rear addition takes the place of a windowless dead end box that didn’t. A “Great kitchen”, open yet formally defined living and dining rooms, a generous master suite, and kid’s rooms with nooks and crannies, all make for a newly designed house that straddles old and new. Structural Engineer: Gregory Paul Wallace SE General Contractor: Cardea Building Co. Photographer: Open Homes Photography

Cedar flare-butt posts; breezeway from garage to main home. Piece-en-piece log home built by Nicola LogWorks. Photo: The Log Builder's Wife
Mountain style porch photo in Seattle

JULIAN SAHAGUN DESIGNER,CREATOR AND BUILDER OF ALL INTERIOR WOODWORKING,CABINETRY,FINISH CARPENTRY,FLOORING AND STONE WORK. FOR INFO. CONTACT JULIAN AT 818 565 3330

The "Carousel House" was a custom design by Murray Arnott for customers in the Port Angeles area. Nicola LogWorks was chosen to provide the log work. This style of construction is called Piece-en-Piece, and features log in-fill panels in a log post and beam structure. One of our favourite and most challenging projects; all of the pieces (some 350 +/-) were pre-cut at our site in Merritt and fit for the first time at the customer's site. This is standard practice for us at Nicola LogWorks and requires accurate working drawings and connection details. photo: Get Designing.

A typical post-1906 Noe Valley house is simultaneously restored, expanded and redesigned to keep what works and rethink what doesn’t. The front façade, is scraped and painted a crisp monochrome white—it worked. The new asymmetrical gabled rear addition takes the place of a windowless dead end box that didn’t. A “Great kitchen”, open yet formally defined living and dining rooms, a generous master suite, and kid’s rooms with nooks and crannies, all make for a newly designed house that straddles old and new. Structural Engineer: Gregory Paul Wallace SE General Contractor: Cardea Building Co. Interior Design: Ken Fulk Photographer: Open Homes Photography

We loved working with this customer and their designer and engineer. The customer was very dilligent in selecting his "design-build" team, and we enjoyed the colloborative and solution-finding brainstorming that flourished as a result. Get Designing Photo.

Popular Scandinavian-style interiors blog 'These Four Walls' has collaborated with Kährs for a scandi-inspired, soft and minimalist living room makeover. Kährs worked with founder Abi Dare to find the perfect hard wearing and stylish floor to work alongside minimalist decor. Kährs' ultra matt 'Oak Sky' engineered wood floor design was the perfect fit. "I was keen on the idea of pale Nordic oak and ordered all sorts of samples, but none seemed quite right – until a package arrived from Swedish brand Kährs, that is. As soon as I took a peek at ‘Oak Sky’ ultra matt lacquered boards I knew they were the right choice – light but not overly so, with a balance of ashen and warmer tones and a beautiful grain. It creates the light, Scandinavian vibe that I love, but it doesn’t look out of place in our Victorian house; it also works brilliantly with the grey walls. I also love the matte finish, which is very hard wearing but has none of the shininess normally associated with lacquer" says Abi. Oak Sky is the lightest oak design from the Kährs Lux collection of one-strip ultra matt lacquer floors. The semi-transparent white stain and light and dark contrasts in the wood makes the floor ideal for a scandi-chic inspired interior. The innovative surface treatment is non-reflective; enhancing the colour of the floor while giving it a silky, yet strong shield against wear and tear. Kährs' Lux collection won 'Best Flooring' at the House Beautiful Awards 2017. Kährs have collaborated with These Four Walls and feature in two blog posts; My soft, minimalist living room makeover reveal and How to choose wooden flooring. All photography by Abi Dare, Founder of These Four Walls

This kitchens demeanour is one of quiet function, designed for effortless prepping and cooking and with space to socialise with friends and family. The unusual curved island in dusted oak veneer and finished in our unique paint colour, Periwinkle offers seating for eating and chatting. The handmade cabinets of this blue kitchen design are individually specified and perfectly positioned to maximise every inch of space. Family kitchens deserve a family-sized centrepiece and this curved island is a real talking point. It’s a modern take on a traditional concept with integrated sink, high-end appliances and a spacious, sweeping breakfast bar. The solid Silestone worktop in Snowy Ibiza is in striking contrast to the Periwinkle finish proving that style and practicality can go hand-in-hand.

Custom kitchen in dovetail chinked system log cedar home. Photo by Stephanie Tracey - Photography West, Kelowna BC
Example of a mountain style l-shaped dark wood floor kitchen design in Vancouver with distressed cabinets, stainless steel countertops, black appliances, an island and a farmhouse sink

TYPE:FLAT RENOVATION LOCATION: ROME, VIALE PARIOLI PROGRAM: 60 m² DESIGN: 2013 COMPLETED: 2014 This interior design work is located in a building that was once a social housing unit and is now fronting one of the most elegant streets in Rome. The “Ante Operam” situation of the flat was therefore inadeguate to the client’s desires. The main operation was to invert what was living space with the bedroom. During the renovation of the new living room, an old wooden roof was found on the top of the old ceiling: it was restored and painted in white. The lamp is the famous “Arco” by Achille Castiglioni, the applique is the “Tolomeo” by Michele De Lucchi.

Back deck of contemporay post and beam log home featuring vanishing pool Built by Nicola LogWorks Nicola LogWorks photo
Example of a mid-sized trendy custom-shaped infinity pool design in Vancouver

Popular Scandinavian-style interiors blog 'These Four Walls' has collaborated with Kährs for a scandi-inspired, soft and minimalist living room makeover. Kährs worked with founder Abi Dare to find the perfect hard wearing and stylish floor to work alongside minimalist decor. Kährs' ultra matt 'Oak Sky' engineered wood floor design was the perfect fit. "I was keen on the idea of pale Nordic oak and ordered all sorts of samples, but none seemed quite right – until a package arrived from Swedish brand Kährs, that is. As soon as I took a peek at ‘Oak Sky’ ultra matt lacquered boards I knew they were the right choice – light but not overly so, with a balance of ashen and warmer tones and a beautiful grain. It creates the light, Scandinavian vibe that I love, but it doesn’t look out of place in our Victorian house; it also works brilliantly with the grey walls. I also love the matte finish, which is very hard wearing but has none of the shininess normally associated with lacquer" says Abi. Oak Sky is the lightest oak design from the Kährs Lux collection of one-strip ultra matt lacquer floors. The semi-transparent white stain and light and dark contrasts in the wood makes the floor ideal for a scandi-chic inspired interior. The innovative surface treatment is non-reflective; enhancing the colour of the floor while giving it a silky, yet strong shield against wear and tear. Kährs' Lux collection won 'Best Flooring' at the House Beautiful Awards 2017. Kährs have collaborated with These Four Walls and feature in two blog posts; My soft, minimalist living room makeover reveal and How to choose wooden flooring. All photography by Abi Dare, Founder of These Four Walls

Our clients for this grand mountain lodge wanted the warmth and solidness of timber to contrast many of the contemporary steel, glass and stone architecture more prevalent in the area recently. A desire for timberwork with ‘GRRRR’ equipped to handle the massive snowloads in this location, ensured that the timbers were fit to scale this awe-inspiring 8700sq ft residence. Working with Peter Rose Architecture + Interiors Inc., we came up with unique designs for the timberwork to be highlighted throughout the entire home. The Kettle River crew worked for 2.5 years designing and erecting the timber frame as well as the 2 feature staircases and complex heavy timber mouldings and mantle in the great room. We also coordinated and installed the direct set glazing on the timberwork and the unique Unison lift and slide doors that integrate seamlessly with the timberwork. Huge credit should also be given to the very talented builder on this project - MacDougall Construction & Renovations, it was a pleasure to partner with your team on this project.

Our clients for this grand mountain lodge wanted the warmth and solidness of timber to contrast many of the contemporary steel, glass and stone architecture more prevalent in the area recently. A desire for timberwork with ‘GRRRR’ equipped to handle the massive snowloads in this location, ensured that the timbers were fit to scale this awe-inspiring 8700sq ft residence. Working with Peter Rose Architecture + Interiors Inc., we came up with unique designs for the timberwork to be highlighted throughout the entire home. The Kettle River crew worked for 2.5 years designing and erecting the timber frame as well as the 2 feature staircases and complex heavy timber mouldings and mantle in the great room. We also coordinated and installed the direct set glazing on the timberwork and the unique Unison lift and slide doors that integrate seamlessly with the timberwork. Huge credit should also be given to the very talented builder on this project - MacDougall Construction & Renovations, it was a pleasure to partner with your team on this project.

The family who owned this 1965 home chose a dramatic upgrade for their Coquitlam full home renovation. They wanted more room for gatherings, an open concept kitchen, and upgrades to bathrooms and the rec room. Their neighbour knew of our work, and we were glad to bring our skills to another project in the area. Choosing Dramatic Lines In the original house, the entryway was cramped, with a closet being the first thing everyone saw. We opened the entryway and moved the closet, all while maintaining separation between the entry and the living space. To draw the attention from the entry into the living room, we used a dramatic, flush, black herringbone ceiling detail across the ceiling. This detail goes all the way to the entertainment area on the main floor. The eye arrives at a stunning waterfall edge walnut mantle, modern fireplace. Open Concept Kitchen with Lots of Seating The dividing wall between the kitchen and living areas was removed to create a larger, integrated entertaining space. The kitchen also has easy access to a new outdoor social space. A new large skylight directly over the kitchen floods the space with natural light. The kitchen now has gloss white cabinetry, with matte black accents and the same herringbone detail as the living room, and is tied together with a low maintenance Caesarstone’s white Attica quartz for the island countertop. This over-sized island has barstool seating for five while leaving plenty of room for homework, snacking, socializing, and food prep in the same space. To maximize space and minimize clutter, we integrated the kitchen appliances into the kitchen island, including a food warming drawer, a hidden fridge, and the dishwasher. This takes the eyes to focus off appliances, and onto the design elements which feed throughout the home. We also installed a beverage center just beside the kitchen so family and guests can fix themselves a drink, without disrupting the flow of the kitchen. Updated Downstairs Space, Updated Guest Room, Updated Bathrooms It was a treat to update this entire house. Upstairs, we renovated the master bedroom with new blackout drapery, new decor, and a warm light grey paint colour. The tight bathroom was transformed with modern fixtures and gorgeous grey tile the homeowners loved. The two teen girls’ rooms were updated with new lighting and furniture that tied in with the whole home decor, but which also reflected their personal taste. In the basement, we updated the rec room with a bright modern look and updated fireplace. We added a needed door to the garage. We upgraded the bathrooms and created a legal second suite which the young adult daughter will use, for now. Laundry Its Own Room, Finally In a family with four women, you can imagine how much laundry gets done in this house. As part of the renovation, we built a proper laundry room with plenty of storage space, countertops, and a large sink.

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!)