project profile: kelvin grove, part 4

and just like that, she was done! *sniff*

when a project comes to it's inevitable close, it can be a bittersweet event.. so sweet in that all the hard work for everyone involved has come to fruition (always exciting to watch!); and even more sweet that the homeowners can finally settle in to life in their new home! but after all that time together as client and designer, it's often sad to part ways so abruptly?! such was the case when these folks moved in last winter :) 

with the hustle and bustle of the holidays and a equally busy start to the year, it took a few months for us to get back and properly see how much kelvin grove has grown into a proper home...! i think a home's true beauty comes with age - and the luxury of time to collect and curate all the pieces that you love! but when starting from scratch, it's important to lay a solid foundation of fixtures, finishes, and furniture upon which to build your decor... so you can eventually layer in reflections of  all the individuals that reside within!  

our last photo shoot of this beautiful family home focused almost entirely on the incrédible lacanche range... this one however is meant to offer up the rest of the rooms for your perusal...! take you on a virtual tour of to see just how much this house has become a home...

welcome back to kelvin grove :)

design 101: story of a chair

as a designer i often joke with my clients about my many "afflictions"- slight OCD, a dash of ADD, and often... borderline hoarding tendencies?! (truth). 

all of which, however, seem to serve me well in my chosen profession?! case in point is this story of a chair...

first discovered in a crowded and dusty antique shop on the drive; it's solid construction and graceful lines drew me in immediately, speaking stronger than the obviously timeworn velvet blue upholstery. i didn't waste time snapping it up! with grand plans to build on it's potential, soon it was living a new life in my prized kits apartment - decked out in fresh white ultra suede and fancy brass finishing nails... love!  

fast forward 15 years and this beauty of a chair was definitely looking a little worn again. we were bursting at the seams on the home front (a growing family and that aforementioned hoarding were taking their toll); and while parting ways with things i grow to love is not an easy task, this chair was looking like it needed to move on... 

as fate would have it, kelvin grove was in full swing - and in planning out the furniture and decor for their soon to be stunning front room, the stars aligned and it seemed a new home was calling out to this beloved piece! we were already pretty committed to the absolutely gorge cisco brothers luccia sofa - and it's soft lines and sublime character were a perfect fit for this classic chair. cue a little TLC (and a striking new fabric!) and this little beauty is back to it's former glory, and enjoying the next chapter of it's life (in serious style if i don't say so?!).

when designing a home i almost always look for a way to impart some history or meaning in the decor - be it through collections, heirlooms (or simply a fantastic garage sale find?!) - and i just love that i can share my own quick story of a chair; re-imagined and re-purposed - to perhaps inspire you to look around your own "attic" (or head out on a hunt for the perfect piece from a bygone era!?) and see the hidden potential within...

 

inspired by: lacanche

when we began designing the interior for kelvin grove, one of the first things we began designing around was an appliance long admired by the homeowner - a lacanche range. 

admittedly a first for this designer, the lacanche offered just the right amount of french flavor to get us started... a statement piece with instant appeal! and while it is available in a wide array of colors and finishes - it was classic black and brass for us (no surprise there!). thinking back, i don't know what we would have done without it's s grace, weight, detail and character to build upon, all of which have become the heart of this bon maison. 

after enjoying their new home for not near a month, the homeowners graciously welcomed us back over the holidays to take part in a photo shoot for the french barn,  the local supplier (and specialists!) of lacanche here in calgary.  my full gallery for kelvin grove will be up this spring - but 'til then, i wanted to share a few snaps... both a sneak peek of the completed project, and a behind the scenes look of the shoot in action ;) 

it's often remarked that a kitchen is the heart of the home, and i think it's fair to say this beauty of a range has found a perfect home at the heart of kelvin grove. j'adore!


project profile: kelvin grove, part 3

and just like that, it's almost september?! wth.

it feel's that the last i checked, it was easter - and things were just warming up outside... but with school soon out and the sun shining long - it seemed everyone was off enjoying their summer holidays, and we were no exception...!  

of course, it's wasn't all play and no work - the crews over at kelvin grove were keeping very busy these last few months, and i've been hoarding the evidence of that on my hard drive! time to share :)

the exterior is near completion - with landscaping just wrapped up and finishing touches falling into place. looking fab i dare say? inside is much the same, where things are taking shape and quickly coming to life..! a few hi-lights? drywall is done and primed; cabinets are in and ready for counters - the much anticipated taj mahal (luxuriously leathered btw!); penny rounds are a GO!; furniture and draperies are being decided (the luccia sofa will be a stunner, just sayin')...and final paint selections are imminent! 

there'll be no signs of slowing down as we head into fall - with so many more finishes and fixtures to unveil in the weeks ahead! stay tuned for more - and welcome back to kelvin grove...! 

project profile: kelvin grove, part 2

just a quick note to say: windows are in!

always an exciting milestone - along with the fully finished roof lines and interior framing things are really beginning to feel like a home over here...!  we've just finalized our finishing selections - and they won't disappoint.  with a french "flavor" in mind (hint: it's all about the la canche cooker!), we sought to make selections that will be classic and comfortable...and of course durable for this growing family of 6. oiled oak floors, burnished brash, and sublime taj mahal set the foundation for this beautiful package - and i get excited just typing about it! eek!

can not wait to watch it all come together in the months ahead... and i'll be sure to keep you posted along the way ;) 

for now, here are a few shots of the progress to date...giving just a glimpse of what's to come over at kelvin grove!

project profile: kelvin grove, part 1

this post is probably just a little overdue - as i was initially introduced to this family back in the fall of 2013... when their renovation plans were brought on by the impending arrival of baby #4. some serious spatial issues in their existing home were not going to add up for a new sister on the scene! 

a year and a half later and we've since welcomed baby eve to the world (so adorbs!) - and watched those initial renovation plans morph entirely?! the idea of creating their "forever home" ultimately seemed to make sense in more centrally located neighborhood - in a house that would be better suited to this close-knit family of 6. 

as fate would have it - they didn't find a house so much as a property - one that happened to spark the possibility of building their dream home... and the rest as they say, is history... ?

many months of planning and development later - we are now finally watching this fabulous new home come to life! finishing details are just being firmed up and we are really excited to share some sneak peeks along the way :)

until then, here are a few snaps to get us acquainted with kelvin grove...!