project profile: mount royal, part 4

i have to confess, mount royal holds a special place in my heart!  truly <3

so it seems somewhat surprising it's taken me so long to share these photos...?! it appears i fell victim to my own limitations as a photographer (of which i am not!) - and was feeling underwhelmed with the lighting and overall composition of these shots when i took them last fall :/

then before i knew it - it was winter?! and by december we were away as a family on an externded holiday, to travel around down under...! by then all things australia and new zealand consumed my thoughts?! a fantastic adventure it was (more on that to follow!) - but for now... back to these pictures!!! many months later and a fresh set of eyes have helped me compile this gallery of finished photos - and made me realize i was a a bit of a fool to wait so long to share!? turns out they weren't all bad ;)   

i will keep this intro short and sweet - and endeavor to let these images speak for themselves (there are enough of them!). if you'd like to see more of our journey over at mount royal, you can view the story behind this magnificent home's transformation here.

and now, finally, here is mount royal :)

project profile: mount royal, part 3

back again and picking up where we left off, here is the next installment in our journey: where spring has rolled into summer, warmer days are upon us, and construction is now in full swing!

up front, the porch has been completely rebuilt; a solid deck and new posts and railings have replaced their time worn predecessors, adding years of enjoyment ahead (cue the rocking chair now!).

around back, the new garage and connecting breezeway have gone up - adding a much needed attached point of entry (not to mention comfort & convenience in this calgary clime!) - and with the foundation now laid the for the new kitchen and bedroom suite above, the old version of both were removed & rebuilt in short order - closing things up comfortably in time for the cooler fall days ahead!

once again, welcome back to mount royal :)

project profile: mount royal, part 2

soooo, where to begin...!?

my last post -  the first and only to date - was a mere introduction to this incredible home, where my enthusiasm was evident and character was a plenty ;)

that was back in january of this year, where we were preparing to start this many layered and infinitely detailed project. flash forward a year and it's now december (seriously, almost christmas?! :/), complete with four seasons and a heap of work behind us!

to catch you up! as we sprung into spring demolition unveiled our task ahead and the history behind it all;  summer brought with it new foundations and a glimpse of the home we envisioned?! (so exciting!); through the fall it's been about finishing! finishing to get the walls and roof up on the addition before the weather turned?! and on the flip side, finishing some of the other areas of the home with some pretty fabulous finishes and fixtures within...  

and now, here we are... winter! where we are coasting into the final phase of this project and aiming for an anticipated completion date of early 2017. with that in mind, i thought i had better get you all acquainted on what the heck we've been up to this year!

no small undertaking, this home has undergone a top to bottom transformation - playing off it's beautiful history and cherished craftsmanship throughout. we've managed to celebrate the old all the while giving a respectable nod to the now... clean, classic, and just a little bit contemporary, this home will no doubt continue to leave a lasting impression in the years ahead...   

tackled in essentially two phases - the first involved the front half of the house, where we made mainly cosmetic changes to the existing upper bedrooms and bathrooms, main floor foyer, living rooms, powder room and den. this gave us a decent head start on things while pursuing the required permits for phase two, where we had the much more involved task of building a major addition to the back of the house (c/w all around exterior face lift) - that is now well near complete as i type!

i confess, it's been a race to make the most of the seasons - to both begin when we broke ground this spring - to the fall, where we were under mother natures good graces while we finished framing to lock up. from there (just like the turning season!) we could take a shift back inside (stay warm!) and begin the rest of  the interior finishing; bringing to life the new kitchen, mudroom, and connecting breezeway to the brand new attached garage (and all around man cave) that is to come...

so! without further ado, here is the first in a series of photos i'll be posting on mount royal through the remainder of december. in the collection below, we skip back to where we left off and hi-light some of the cherished details, history, and underpinnings revealed as we began stripping things back during the demolition phase; exquisite woodwork and detailing, fixtures and fittings with a time worn patina, and a sense of history that was impressive & comfortable all at once....  

welcome back to mount royal! 

project profile: springbank, part 3

as is always the case, summer is gone in a flash - and before i could realize what's happened, i'm staring down october in just a few short days!?  sigh.... every. year.

this post is long overdue (the photos were taken back in june!), so i'll keep this write up short and sweet - and simply state that this springbank project is now complete (save the ongoing decor!) - and i am so excited to share these snaps of the finished spaces! :)

with my tardiness in getting these out to you- i have the advantage of knowing that this family is well settled in and enjoying all aspects of life in their new home... which to me, is the true measure of a projects success ;)

in an effort to take advantage of the fabulous fall foliage here in southern alberta, a full photo shoot of the home and a proper gallery are in the works. it is there where we hope to showcase the true extent of this beautiful renovation....  which has been a true top to bottom, inside-out transformation!

but for now,  please take a peek inside and enjoy...

and welcome to springbank! 

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 :)

project profile: springbank, part 2

and then it was june...?! time sure flies when you're doing a renovation!  

life in springbank has literally been coming to life this spring! alongside the blooms and buds forming outside, we've been busy having the finishes and fixtures take form inside... and it's been a wonderful transformation to behold! 

the finishing stage of a project is the home stretch, and it's always rewarding to watch it all unfold...  it is here that we truly see the vision we'd set in place months ago unveil itself. for this particular job, that meant we were now witnessing the creamy & statuesque stones for the counters, fireplace and tile connect in earnest with the rich woods of the floors, beams and finishing millwork throughout; and the soft curves and subtle palette selected made for a sweet & serene marriage of materials :)

summer is now upon us and springbank is near complete...  this (patient!) family of four will be moving in this week and i cannot wait for them to finally settle in to life in this mediterranean inspired gem! our final reveal is coming soon so i thought we'd better get this little taste of whats to come out and noted... stay tuned for part 3!!! :)

project profile: springbank, part 1

when planning a renovation, one of the first things we look to are the existing architectural features of a home - and how they might drive the design. some things you can (and want to!) change with the new design - but when considering the bigger picture of style, structure and budget - it's sometimes best to play the hand you're dealt...

in this case, the hand we ran with were the ever present arches on this springbank residence... and run with them we did! already present in most of the windows - integrating this feature into the new design became an easy move... and soon after a distinctly mediterranean flavor was revealed! 

now well into the renovation process (cabinets are going in as i type!) - a finishing package that includes warm woods and statuesque stones have been paired with elegant wrought iron and showstopping fixtures - all working together to lend style and substance to this renovation. other key changes had a portion of the existing indoor lap pool converted into a much needed pair of bedroom suites for the little kids (making way for a sublime master suite for the big kids!); and wherever possible walls have been taken down and spaces opened up to capitalize on that magnificent view - ensuring it is captured and celebrated throughout! it's not the mediterranean sea or anything, but it's not too shabby all the same ;)

due to be completed this spring, we are excited to give you a glimpse of this stunning home in the making - and as always, we look forward to sharing the progress with you in the coming months... 

thanks for stopping in - and welcome to springbank! 

project profile: mount royal, part 1

oh.em.gee. 

every once in awhile a project comes along that really tugs on the 'ol heartstrings... for me, this would be mount royal.

it's no surprise i'm a fan of all things old;  offering history, character, patina and imperfection, older homes have an undeniable appeal - and stepping inside this beauty last summer was a treat to say the least :)

built in 1912 and absolutely filled with original features and period charm - our task at hand has been to freshen up some of the more unforgiving and dated features throughout; and develop an addition to the back of the house that will greatly improve some of the functional drawbacks contained within... essentially: freshen things up - all while preserving the various details throughout the home that make it so very special.

today we are well into the design development, and have been busy at work pulling together the new plans, finishes and fixtures for this historic gem. as such, i thought a proper introduction was due - and i am looking forward to tracking the progress and sharing updates for you along the way...

thanks for stopping in, and welcome to mount royal! 

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...!

project profile: mount pleasant, part 4

well it's been a seriously long overdue update for mount pleasant...! we last checked in on this little gem  last spring, where the homeowners set to work on a few lingering household projects. not one's to disappoint, they've since created a much needed kitchen pantry, added new drapery, lighting & decorative bits throughout the living areas, and thoughtfully amassed a small gallery of mementos & memories to display with pride. i say, nice work boys!

i finally reconnected with the clients last fall, and was pleased to see all the wonderful additions...! the bold new stripes in the living room add a dramatic hit of pattern that defines the small dining area - and the new lamps in the bedroom are perfect - satisfying my insatiable love for mid century styling and anything brass right now ;)

but not surprisingly, it was the personal items that had been collected & curated over the course of the year that were my favorite change! maps & medals from wars past were hung neatly in the den; while plates & pottery passed down from family were incorporated into the bright & cheery kitchen... add a good dose of well worn books throughout and you've got a winning mix of personality and presentation! my combination for a pleasing vignette to be certain :)

thanks for stopping in, and welcome back to mount pleasant...!

introducing: bearspaw

set in the picturesque community of bearspaw, alberta, this expansive family home recently underwent a complete renovation... and we can't wait to share a sneak peek of the results!

 with finishing touches still falling into place, preparations are underway for a proper photo shoot next month... but just to get things started, here are a few snaps that hopefully capture the flavor of this newly transformed modern farmhouse... not gonna lie, we're pretty excited with how things have turned out?! and are equally excited to share the full gallery this spring :) 

but until then...

project profile: majuba hill

it is often the case that once a client has finished building or renovating, i rarely get a glimpse as to how the home evolves once lived in for a few years... so it is a welcome treat that i am able to return to majuba hill with such frequency :)

set amid towering cedars, and overlooking the valley below - this home is an eye catching addition to this tight knit family community...and it is always a pleasure to return and see how comfortably everyone has settled into life here... 

built in 2009, it has now been home to this busy family of four (plus two pets!) for almost 5 years...and every year it feels more complete, more inviting, and always more beautiful than the last...

these recent photos are from my last visit in june...where the summer sun & greenery set the scene for a fantastic visit! and i was once again able to stay and enjoy the fabulous company, generous hospitality, and breathtaking views (both in and out) of this majestic hillside home :)

enjoy!  

project profile: mount pleasant, part 3

summer is generally a time to kick back, enjoy the warmer temps - and head outdoors for some fun in the sun!  amiright? 

so on my recent visit back to mount pleasant, i was somewhat prepared to see the renovation momentum...stalled out!? in addition to our expected wait for the furniture - the clients were hit with a renovation "surprise!" when an electrician discovered knob and tube wiring throughout - covered up with a cheap disguise of about 5" of new wiring at the source...! not cool. the entire electrical system needed to be replaced - and our beloved hicks pendant lay waiting in darkness for the foreseeable future  :(

upon returning from our travels last month i made a date to stop by - as i knew the furniture had arrived...and reports were circulating that the nathan anthony polo sofa we ordered was a stunner ;) 

it was a "pleasant" surprise to see just how busy my clients had been these last couple of months..! much of the furniture had arrived (the sofa didn't disappoint!), pictures had been hung (including several family heirlooms and a beautiful pair of rocky mountain prints they had plucked from a nearby thrift shop for $25 - score!)... and most impressive!? the lighting was all hanging in place and looking fabulous!

i was pretty pumped.

the momentum not only kept going...but had completely exceeded my expectations...good job guys! ;)

we are still working on some finishing touches throughout - drapery, lamps and general accessories that will pull everything together...so i am saving the BIG reveal for then! but i hope you find the latest gallery a sweet hint as what's to come over at mount pleasant...

enjoy :) 

project profile: mount pleasant, part 2

things are just starting to take shape over at mount pleasant so i thought it was time to post an update - first and foremost giving props to these two clients for all of the serious sweat equity going into their new home! over the past 6 weeks they have carefully restored all of the beautiful brass hardware; refurbished the existing hardwood floors throughout; and completely repainted their home (which is no small feat when covering purple crown mouldings & hot pink doors!). if that weren't enough? the original kitchen cabinets have all been painted over (inside & out) - and are now awaiting new counters, backsplash and hardware. good work i say!

we are now almost ready for the furniture & fixtures to arrive. one of the pieces we'll be seeing soon is the beautifully tailored (and thankfully slender!) nathan anthony sofa - which will anchor the seating area in the living room. chosen for it's perfect proportions - it allows us to maximize seating in this tight space while still being relatively compact in design. plus it's one sexy sofa. how could we resist? ;)

for the "jewellery" - the hicks pendant. which i am absolutely obsessed with right now! it's vintage flavour and clean lines are a perfect fit for this makeover -  and i cannot wait to see it hanging in the new kitchen! 

be sure to take a peek through the new gallery and let me know what you think... :) 

project profile: mount pleasant

sometimes a project comes along and you know it will be a gem!

for this mount pleasant home, the ingredients are all there: great clients, a small & challenging space, and it happens to be a 1912 bungalow that is full of character...just waiting to be painted & polished to a rediscovered glory! 

and what makes a "great" client? the answer could actually constitute a whole new conversation (perhaps a future post?), but in this case both homeowners have an eye for style, an appreciation of the old & new, and are keen to restore their home with a little time, a little more elbow grease, and an always appreciated sense of humor ;) 

the project is just getting underway, and we have decided to run a series of posts on the transformation. to get us started, here are a collection of  'before' pictures - revealing just a few of the details that are going to make this small home big on style!

stay tuned for more - updates will be tracked and shared as we dive into things over in mount pleasant...!