introducing: the ramsay remodel

you know the old adage, what comes around, goes around..? nothing could feel more true for this little project in ramsay - where one of my first clients had returned to say they’d just sold their stylish but small mount pleasant home, and were up-sizing (just ever so slightly!) to another vintage home full of character… and much like it’s predecessor, it was in need of some solid layout advice, a (brand!) new kitchen, and an overall fashionable face-lift throughout ;)

cue the ramsay remodel… where crisp black & white is paired with warm white oak, burnished brass accents, and some sculptural modern furniture & fixtures throughout - keeping things feeling fresh and, as always for these stylin’ gents, classically cool…

welcome, to mount pleasant revised… welcome to the ramsay remodel!

 

 

introducing: windsor park

it was all about the art, at lovely windsor park…

has a nice ring to it wouldn’t you say? ;) well, it certainly was true. there was no doubt that the wonderfully curated collection of these long time clients deserved to sit center stage - and stage left, and right, and just about everywhere we could find available wall space!? we didn’t spare an opportunity! #truestory

with that ‘emphasis on art’ in mind, our chosen finishing & furniture for this extensive renovation, was meant to provide a classic, comfortable, & subtly serene backdrop to that which would fill it…  yes, the art… but also, most importantly, the growing extended family of children and grandchildren these homeowners were keen to play host to in the coming years! the other design requirement: there needed to be room for everyone!

as such, a family friendly and yet comfortably sophisticated space emerged… all at once, cozy enough for two, and spacious enough for a crowd!

welcome to windsor park…

introducing: suite 702

situated comfortably along the lovely riverbanks of downtown calgary, suite 702 is naturally all about the expansive view. of course, i am speaking about the outside skyline - one of the primary selling features of this high rise residence - but one might be forgiven for being a bit distracted by the interior views as well!? recently completed and finished with a warm palette of smoked wood & sublime stone, modern mixed metals, and a little pinch of glam throughout - we have created a fresh yet timeless blend of “urban transitional” for these savvy & sophisticated clients to settle on into...

cue the demo team! the first order of business was to open up things up… the previous homeowners had obscured much of the view with heavy cabinetry (gone!), awkward rooms and layouts (fixed!), and an overall heavy mix of finishes (buhbye!) - allowing us to completely capitalize on both the spectacular views, and a better flow throughout the main living spaces.

relocating from two different homes, from two different cities, both out of country - this renovation brought about a steady exercise in downsizing for these two intrepid travelers. editing their worldly goods to suit the size and space now available, it was soon apparent we would need to provide ample opportunity for display! their travels and adventures abroad - combined with their penchant for fine art, crafted cookery, and a good book or two - have allowed a carefully curated collection to emerge…. and it needed a home!

fast forward a few months and a new space has emerged - open and inviting, fancy yet functional, cultured but comfortable. custom storage and open display shelves were peppered throughout, offering plenty of opportunity to show off their wares - and a long (and otherwise unremarkable?!) hallway was transformed into a proper art gallery, inviting you to linger as you now made your way into the heart of this new home - where all of the main living spaces are now beautifully centered on that aforementioned view…!

but for now, let’s focus on things inside ;)

welcome to suite 702!

introducing: riverdale

well what can i say about riverdale?! to be honest, this little project was a joy for many reasons, not least of which would be the darling clients i had the chance to work with :)

soft spoken in nature, yet steadfast in their preferences, they had a simple mandate: to update the tired 60's kitchen and powder room on the main floor - and refresh the original hardwood to a striking new stain.  a simple palette of serene whites and rich ebony are complimented with soft grays & greens throughout. fresh and modern fixtures completed the look - resulting in this simply sublime space that perfectly mirrors the clients tastes and preferences! 

in partnership with the talented guys over at willowbrook homes - this renovation was completed spring 2017 and will now be enjoyed by the homeowners for many years to come!

welcome to riverdale!    

introducing: bragg creek

nestled in the foothills just west of calgary lies the charming little hamlet of bragg creek... rich in both character and community, it is here that i was fortunate to be introduced to this equally charming family - who were seeking some very practical improvements to their cherished acreage. situated on a lovely lot, their home had "good bones" one would say... with a generally good layout and generously sized rooms throughout. but it was not without a few pain points! with a wish list in hand, we set out to create some better functioning spaces - with the added bonus of getting a sweet little face-lift for the rest of the house along the way :)

the biggest part of the renovation happened to be at the primary point of entry for this busy young family: the mudroom (or lack thereof?!), where they needed a better functioning space that  was to include the family laundry area, storage for all the coats/shoes/and sports equipment that inevitably needed to be controlled here, as well as providing overflow pantry space from the adjacent kitchen, and also as well, a dedicated homework room/craft area and family charging station/message central...?! all in just under 300 square feet!?! challenge accepted ;)

on top of all that, their list included a complete master suite refresh, fresh paint throughout (goodbye oak trim! hello wonderful white!), new hardwood stain, new carpet and some new light fixtures here and there! all things considered, we were able to refresh the whole home on a relatively modest budget ;)

but nowhere did we see the effects of this modesty more than in the kitchen. never part of the original scope - it slowly became apparent that with all the action going on around it - we couldn't not spruce it up too?! by completely refacing the existing cabinets, utilizing a few key changes/updates to the cabinets as they were, and surrounding everything with fresh finishes and fixtures - we were able to create a pretty impressive transformation?! resulting in a space that now looks and works as good as all of the new changes going on around it :)

completed with the talented and true guys over at willowbrook homes, this recent renovation offers just the right mix of rustic charm and modern sensibilities.... creating a home for this family of four that they could truly live in - and couldn't live without!  

welcome to bragg creek! 

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!