Kitchen, bathroom and partial renovation of a residence. Design intent was to create a design complimentary to the existing mid century house while introducing hints and love of Japanese lifestyle. Photographed by: Bo Sundius

1978 KITCHEN REMODEL USING WHITE & SAGE GREEN COLOR PALLET CREATING A FRESH, BRIGHT, AND FUNCTIONAL SPACE THAT WILL SERVE THE FAMILY FOR YEARS TO COME. CABINETS DOORS & DRAWERS REMOVED RAISED PANEL / INSTALLED W/ FLAT PANEL HARDWARE REMOVED ANTIQUE BRASS / INSTALLED RUBBED OIL BRONZE PAINT SHERWIN WILLIAMS ALABASTER TOP REMOVED WOOD GRAIN LAMINATE INSTALLED QUARTZ SIMPLY WHITE 3CM BEVEL EDGE WALLS PAINT CLARK & KENSINGTON DRIED SAGE 26A-3

Example of a large 1960s l-shaped light wood floor and beige floor kitchen design with open cabinets, white backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island, an undermount sink, white cabinets and quartz countertops

Our client desired a bespoke farmhouse kitchen and sought unique items to create this one of a kind farmhouse kitchen their family. We transformed this kitchen by changing the orientation, removed walls and opened up the exterior with a 3 panel stacking door. The oversized pendants are the subtle frame work for an artfully made metal hood cover. The statement hood which I discovered on one of my trips inspired the design and added flare and style to this home. Nothing is as it seems, the white cabinetry looks like shaker until you look closer it is beveled for a sophisticated finish upscale finish. The backsplash looks like subway until you look closer it is actually 3d concave tile that simply looks like it was formed around a wine bottle. We added the coffered ceiling and wood flooring to create this warm enhanced featured of the space. The custom cabinetry then was made to match the oak wood on the ceiling. The pedestal legs on the island enhance the characterizes for the cerused oak cabinetry. Fabulous clients make fabulous projects.

1978 KITCHEN REMODEL USING WHITE & SAGE GREEN COLOR PALLET CREATING A FRESH, BRIGHT, AND FUNCTIONAL SPACE THAT WILL SERVE THE FAMILY FOR YEARS TO COME. CABINETS DOORS & DRAWERS REMOVED RAISED PANEL / INSTALLED W/ FLAT PANEL HARDWARE REMOVED ANTIQUE BRASS / INSTALLED RUBBED OIL BRONZE PAINT SHERWIN WILLIAMS ALABASTER TOP REMOVED WOOD GRAIN LAMINATE INSTALLED QUARTZ SIMPLY WHITE 3CM BEVEL EDGE WALLS PAINT CLARK & KENSINGTON DRIED SAGE 26A-3

1978 KITCHEN REMODEL USING WHITE & SAGE GREEN COLOR PALLET CREATING A FRESH, BRIGHT, AND FUNCTIONAL SPACE THAT WILL SERVE THE FAMILY FOR YEARS TO COME. CABINETS DOORS & DRAWERS REMOVED RAISED PANEL / INSTALLED W/ FLAT PANEL HARDWARE REMOVED ANTIQUE BRASS / INSTALLED RUBBED OIL BRONZE PAINT SHERWIN WILLIAMS ALABASTER TOP REMOVED WOOD GRAIN LAMINATE INSTALLED QUARTZ SIMPLY WHITE 3CM BEVEL EDGE WALLS PAINT CLARK & KENSINGTON DRIED SAGE 26A-3

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!)

The homeowners of this condo sought our assistance when downsizing from a large family home on Howe Sound to a small urban condo in Lower Lonsdale, North Vancouver. They asked us to incorporate many of their precious antiques and art pieces into the new design. Our challenges here were twofold; first, how to deal with the unconventional curved floor plan with vast South facing windows that provide a 180 degree view of downtown Vancouver, and second, how to successfully merge an eclectic collection of antique pieces into a modern setting. We began by updating most of their artwork with new matting and framing. We created a gallery effect by grouping like artwork together and displaying larger pieces on the sections of wall between the windows, lighting them with black wall sconces for a graphic effect. We re-upholstered their antique seating with more contemporary fabrics choices - a gray flannel on their Victorian fainting couch and a fun orange chenille animal print on their Louis style chairs. We selected black as an accent colour for many of the accessories as well as the dining room wall to give the space a sophisticated modern edge. The new pieces that we added, including the sofa, coffee table and dining light fixture are mid century inspired, bridging the gap between old and new. White walls and understated wallpaper provide the perfect backdrop for the colourful mix of antique pieces. Interior Design by Lori Steeves, Simply Home Decorating. Photos by Tracey Ayton Photography

This stunning Viking Fiberglass Pool is the perfect example of how you can create a natural oasis right in your own backyard! The stone decking and rock structure with a waterfall is simply exquisite. The sapphire blue water was created via the Poseidon pool model and the entertainment options are endless here! This pool was installed by Aquatic Pools in Fort Mohave, AZ.

Honeysuckle is making this little hummingbird happy. A trellis of climbing vines is a wonderful way to create vertical interest and maximize growing space. 'Sharing the yield', is a major tenant in permaculture. In this case it simply means your landscape can help migrating hummingbirds fuel-up before their fall-trek back to South America.

This beautiful fireplace was created with Seneca Tiles Handmold Reflections, in random colors and sizes. The homeowner on this project had a vision of what he wanted and what a great vision it was. The tile professional on this project was Dave Warner. Even the cat is simply mesmerized!

1978 KITCHEN REMODEL USING WHITE & SAGE GREEN COLOR PALLET CREATING A FRESH, BRIGHT, AND FUNCTIONAL SPACE THAT WILL SERVE THE FAMILY FOR YEARS TO COME. CABINETS DOORS & DRAWERS REMOVED RAISED PANEL / INSTALLED W/ FLAT PANEL HARDWARE REMOVED ANTIQUE BRASS / INSTALLED RUBBED OIL BRONZE PAINT SHERWIN WILLIAMS ALABASTER TOP REMOVED WOOD GRAIN LAMINATE INSTALLED QUARTZ SIMPLY WHITE 3CM BEVEL EDGE WALLS PAINT CLARK & KENSINGTON DRIED SAGE 26A-3

1978 KITCHEN REMODEL USING WHITE & SAGE GREEN COLOR PALLET CREATING A FRESH, BRIGHT, AND FUNCTIONAL SPACE THAT WILL SERVE THE FAMILY FOR YEARS TO COME. CABINETS DOORS & DRAWERS REMOVED RAISED PANEL / INSTALLED W/ FLAT PANEL HARDWARE REMOVED ANTIQUE BRASS / INSTALLED RUBBED OIL BRONZE PAINT SHERWIN WILLIAMS ALABASTER TOP REMOVED WOOD GRAIN LAMINATE INSTALLED QUARTZ SIMPLY WHITE 3CM BEVEL EDGE WALLS PAINT CLARK & KENSINGTON DRIED SAGE 26A-3

1978 KITCHEN REMODEL USING WHITE & SAGE GREEN COLOR PALLET CREATING A FRESH, BRIGHT, AND FUNCTIONAL SPACE THAT WILL SERVE THE FAMILY FOR YEARS TO COME. CABINETS DOORS & DRAWERS REMOVED RAISED PANEL / INSTALLED W/ FLAT PANEL HARDWARE REMOVED ANTIQUE BRASS / INSTALLED RUBBED OIL BRONZE PAINT SHERWIN WILLIAMS ALABASTER TOP REMOVED WOOD GRAIN LAMINATE INSTALLED QUARTZ SIMPLY WHITE 3CM BEVEL EDGE WALLS PAINT CLARK & KENSINGTON DRIED SAGE 26A-3

1978 KITCHEN REMODEL USING WHITE & SAGE GREEN COLOR PALLET CREATING A FRESH, BRIGHT, AND FUNCTIONAL SPACE THAT WILL SERVE THE FAMILY FOR YEARS TO COME. CABINETS DOORS & DRAWERS REMOVED RAISED PANEL / INSTALLED W/ FLAT PANEL HARDWARE REMOVED ANTIQUE BRASS / INSTALLED RUBBED OIL BRONZE PAINT SHERWIN WILLIAMS ALABASTER TOP REMOVED WOOD GRAIN LAMINATE INSTALLED QUARTZ SIMPLY WHITE 3CM BEVEL EDGE WALLS PAINT CLARK & KENSINGTON DRIED SAGE 26A-3

Greenhouse - huge traditional detached greenhouse idea in Vancouver

The tray ceilings and crown molding bring height and elegance to this Master Bedroom. We created a feature wall with a simple wallpaper. Large windows will have you waking up to a beautiful view!

Let your walls to stand out with our 3D eco-friendly bamboo wall panels. Excellent accent wall. Easy and simple installation. DIY project, tiles are simply glued up on the wall. These tiles are also paintable, create your own unique touch.

This cozy and modern outdoor seating area centers around a sleek concrete fire pit, providing warmth and ambiance for evening gatherings. A custom-built floating wooden bench adds a rustic, handcrafted touch, contrasting beautifully with the contemporary sectional sofa, which is adorned with colorful accent pillows for a pop of color. The neutral porcelain patio and stone wall create a clean backdrop, while the integrated wall lighting adds soft illumination, enhancing the intimate atmosphere. The mix of materials—wood, stone, and concrete—creates a balanced, inviting space that is perfect for relaxation or entertaining. Whether enjoying the fire or simply lounging with friends, this outdoor living area offers a stylish and comfortable retreat.