Adrienne DeRosa © 2014 Houzz Inc. In the corner of the living room a wall-hung Ikea cabinet accommodates storage needs and display space in a straight-forward, yet stylish way. Jennifer topped the cabinet with a simple sheet of plywood which sets the stage for the arrangement on top. Although the centerpiece of this area is the brass wall clock (another great garage sale find), the objects on display offer a variety of elements to engage with. Layering framed paintings that she sourced from Instagram, Jennifer has created a carefully curated spot that has depth in the arms of simplicity. Paintings: NG Collective Studio, Instagram Photo: Adrienne DeRosa © 2014 Houzz

Dustin Peck
Home design - large rustic home design idea in Charlotte

The dining room has a darker and more dramatic palette than the rest of the house. The use of very traditional silk curtains and built in bookcases contrasts with the modern art and funky chandelier. photo: David Duncan Livingston

Large mountain style backyard deck photo in San Diego with a fire pit and no cover

Inspiration for a transitional home bar remodel in Other

Anita Joyce
Elegant bedroom photo in Houston

Project consisted of a multi-level entertainment area complete with fire pit, outdoor kitchen and plantings.
Large elegant backyard concrete paver patio kitchen photo in Grand Rapids with no cover

Amy Lau Design, Dining Room Holiday: Galerie des Glaces Photo: Rikki Snyder © 2014 Houzz

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!)

PhotoSynthesis Studio
Home design - traditional home design idea in Atlanta

Photography by Gillian Jackson
Eat-in kitchen - transitional eat-in kitchen idea in Toronto with a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets, quartz countertops, white backsplash, ceramic backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Example of a large beach style open concept concrete floor family room design in Boston with beige walls, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace and no tv

Inspiration for a small contemporary partial sun courtyard stone formal garden in Indianapolis.

A rustic modern laundry room featuring custom cabinetry, natural wood accents, and a functional, energy-efficient design that blends style and sustainability in this organic mountain home.

This Master Bathroom was dated, dark, and in dire need of an overhaul. Our clients were inspired by a vacation home and wanted black and white basket-weave tile and tiled wainscoting. We used traditional plumbing fixtures, cabinets, and finishes that would complement the tile. We modernized the shower with dual shower heads, DTV, and teak seat. Detailed tile plans were executed to ensure the tile was impeccably installed throughout. This bath was further enhanced with added lighting and radiant heat flooring. This renovation came together beautifully and our clients are thrilled with their classically elegant new master bathroom. Design by: Hatfield Builders | Photography by: Travis G Lilley

This handsome wood pergola serves as the welcoming entrance to this backyard oasis. A raised flowerbed housed in a stacked stone hardscape environment accents either side of the pergola, where guests can enjoy crimson red blooming roses and other flora accents. The colored poured concrete patio features outdoor dining for four people with comfortable weather-resistant mesh fabric outdoor chairs and a glass tabletop. At the rear is a stacked stone outdoor kitchen with a quartz counter top, extra large outdoor grilling station and other amenities.

Existing mature pine trees canopy this outdoor living space. The homeowners had envisioned a space to relax with their large family and entertain by cooking and dining, cocktails or just a quiet time alone around the firepit. The large outdoor kitchen island and bar has more than ample storage space, cooking and prep areas, and dimmable pendant task lighting. The island, the dining area and the casual firepit lounge are all within conversation areas of each other. The overhead pergola creates just enough of a canopy to define the main focal point; the natural stone and Dekton finished outdoor island.

Home office - transitional home office idea in San Diego

Kristen McGaughey
Mid-sized minimalist built-in desk medium tone wood floor study room photo in Vancouver with white walls