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!)

This is an organic Lime Wash done with a true lime wash product as opposed to a brick mortar or concrete that is often seen on new houses. This product can be applied as a solid coating making the surface completely white, or can be applied and "washed off" in many artistic ways, as seen here. If you hate your brick or just want something unique this is a great option! Photo credit: Jeff Murrey

Kimberly Gavin Photography
Example of a trendy open concept dark wood floor living room design in Denver with white walls and a corner fireplace

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Reclaimed, Antique Long Leaf Pine Board & Batton re-purposed into a stunning Headboard. Thank you Chelsea + Remy for sharing your photos.
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Design by Rozanne Jackson Interiors for The Iron Gate The vision for the his and her bedrooms was to create bedrooms that speak to each other visually, as well as compliment the architecture which provided mirror images. The masculine and feminine space shares similarities featuring a Belgium lifestyle, strong in design but always with purpose keeping the space current, clean and fresh. • Verellen furnishings and Libeco drapery and bedding are featured throughout both bedrooms. Photo: Alyssa Rosenheck

Linda Kasian Photography
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Before & After Floor Plans
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Q: Please describe your home’s style, and anything you’d like to share on the goals/purpose of your living space. A: Style is contemporary. The house itself is a clean canvas of white and then colour and style introduced with the contents.

This proposed project, nestled within a residential neighborhood surrounded by four-story row houses and low-rise apartment buildings, envisions the creation of a neighborhood chapel. Beyond its spiritual purpose, the chapel serves as a foundational element for community development, fostering a sense of unity and shared purpose within the vibrant residential context. It stands as a testament to our commitment to enriching the fabric of community life through thoughtful architectural interventions.

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This proposed project, nestled within a residential neighborhood surrounded by four-story row houses and low-rise apartment buildings, envisions the creation of a neighborhood chapel. Beyond its spiritual purpose, the chapel serves as a foundational element for community development, fostering a sense of unity and shared purpose within the vibrant residential context. It stands as a testament to our commitment to enriching the fabric of community life through thoughtful architectural interventions.

This proposed project, nestled within a residential neighborhood surrounded by four-story row houses and low-rise apartment buildings, envisions the creation of a neighborhood chapel. Beyond its spiritual purpose, the chapel serves as a foundational element for community development, fostering a sense of unity and shared purpose within the vibrant residential context. It stands as a testament to our commitment to enriching the fabric of community life through thoughtful architectural interventions.

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Thies shares that the iron and glass star-shaped pendant symbolizes safe harbor — like a guiding star. Fusing farmhouse with coastal style, a painted white nickel gap surrounds the wood X-beam on the ceiling crafted by Potter Homes. This X shape repeats on the entry way landing zone below — done in a European white oak flooring from Real Wood Floors. The rustic wood and industrial metal elements blend on the stairs and are a purposeful architectural moment that can be seen through the front windows.

The Longshadow residence balances modern design character with its rural Tennessee setting. The exterior approach from the front re-purposes the traditional "dogtrot" into a porte cochere. The family's dining room also shares the space for panoramic views of the property on two sides. Photo: Denise Retallack

A plain space with a desk was transformed into this beautifully functional home office and library, complete with a window seat and tons of storage.
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