Exciting news

 

modern cottage kitchen

Photo credit: Melissa Kew Photography

This kitchen will soon be featured along with the rest of my log home cottage in a local magazine. I’m so excited. Once it’s published and available I’ll let you all know.

And did you know that it was an award winner? Click here or on the picture below to see the DDA video showcasing it.

2017 Silver award Kitchens DDA

Lisa

White, clean and calm ensuite bath

Do you need a bathroom renovation that will make your house more serene, more practically organized and more like you? Well, keep reading to find out how the process works and just what can be achieved in your home.

This bathroom transformation went from dark, cluttered and drab to white, clean and serene. Isn’t she pretty and practical now?

Calm and serene master bath

These clients had a wish list that included:

  • two sinks,
  • lots more storage,
  • larger shower,
  • removing the tub,
  • better lighting,
  • proper venting, and
  • white and serene bath.

This ensuite  bath had no personality and obviously was dismal at even providing proper storage. It had only one sink in a crowded vanity, a window and tub where my client had envisioned the shower going, an awkward semi-circular shower enclosure and virtually no ventilation or proper lighting. It is definitely not possible to get ready to take on the day here or for that matter relax at the end of the day?

Before – master bath

You can see the semi-circular shower in the mirror opposite the vanity and behind the door. And the built in tub that was never used.

Before – master bath

I did up three different plans and after consulting with me and their contractor, the clients decided on this plan.

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Originally we were going to move the toilet and the door but moving a toilet is an expensive option, so in the end we left both the toilet and the door where it was.

Then I did up two mood boards which shows tile, lighting and fixture selections. They went with Option 1. burns-master-bath-001

Here’s a closer look at the tile selections.

Master bath tile selection

The large scale shower wall tile looks like glass but it is actually porcelain and it is a breeze to clean. As per the norm, some items were changed from the moldboard to creation. The vanity was a great find and you’ll see why as you keep reading. The lighting was also changed to discreet pot lights where needed. We felt there was enough going on in the vanity area so this kept the area cleaner.

Where there was cramped, dark and non functioning, there is now this clean, serene, spa like space.

Calm and serene master bath So, what did we do exactly? We moved the vanity from it’s existing place at the right of the door to where the built in tub was. That way we got enough room to put two sinks and that enabled us to place the shower where the vanity had been. Originally, the clients wanted to swap the tub for the shower, but then the window was going to be partially in the shower enclosure. It could have been done, but this was a more cost effective and worry free solution. Moving the shower where the vanity was allowed for a much larger area and since it is all glass it feels very open when you are entering into the bathroom.

My clients also wanted a large inset shower shelf but since the main, long wall was an exterior wall, we couldn’t put a shelf there. So, instead we placed two smaller inset shower shelves, one on each side of the shower tower and it worked perfectly.

Custom shower with two inset shelves

Inset shower shelf

The inset shelf tile is the same as the shower floor and it was also used as a vanity backsplash, for continuity.

Custom shower with two inset shelves

Closeup of vanity area

Clean and serene master bath

The cool thing about this vanity is that the bottom toe kick is actually a secret drawer. Therefore, it has even more storage than you expect.

Clean and serene master bath

And those upper mirrored cabinets, well they cantilever up for easy access to even more storage.

Clean and serene master bath

My client, picked up this adorable teak stool that she uses in the shower, when needed.

Clean and serene master bath

How much nicer is it to get ready in this dream of a bath? If you need the answer to that question, give me a call and we can start working on your dream bath.

Lisa

Transformation from living room to home office

So do you have a dining room or living room that you never use, because you don’t really need a dining room or living room. Well, change it up. A room is just a room, it can be anything that will work for you and your family. Really! A dining room can be changed into a living room, very easily. Some people feel limited by the centre light fixture in a dining room, but why can’t you have a beautiful chandelier or other pendant in your living room, just make sure it’s high enough to not bother any tall people in your family. Think outside of your rooms’ labels.

This transformation did just that. It was finished in spring time a few years back.  Click here to read my previous post on this project and how rooms in your home can be altered to suit you and your family.   Needs and wants change throughout life, and your home should change and adapt right along with you.

My client had this formal living room at the front of her home, but they always used the more comfortable and casual family room for guests and also had a great finished basement for their boys and their friends. So the living room languished with beautiful furniture but no purpose.

With her and her husband working from home, this was the ideal space to turn into a home office for her consulting business. It’s ideally situated right by the front door for client visits and with that large arched window bright and welcoming.

Here’s the finished office.

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And how it looked before the transformation.

before

 

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So to recap, the stairway wall and the half wall by the entrance were both closed in to allow french doors to be added to the room.   A trio of long,narrow and frosted windows were added to the now full entrance wall to keep the light flowing between the entry and the office.ff

The first item purchased was the desk with its dark grey wood legs and glossy grey lacquered top, and it help dictate the feminine mood and style of the space.

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Next, the Ikea’s Galant cabinets and bookcases were purchased in grey to coordinate with the desk.  Add, a black and white patterned area rug for a graphic punch and a cosy chair and a half for reading and conversation.  My client’s beautiful new artwork made it easy to choose a colourful purple as an accent.

Lighting is provided by the great sparkly and modern fan that my client found, a modern floor lamp and a glass table lamp that adds a touch more sparkle.

A few more pretty shots.

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My client is thrilled and is now inviting clients into her office. I love how changing just one space in your home can transform and enrich your life.  What room could you transform?

Lisa

 

Family Room Makeover

This was a quick refreshing makeover for a tired family room. A new custom made comfy down filled sofa, a clean lined coffee table, an industrial style floor lamp and a few accessories spruced it right up.

Powder Room Transformation

BEFORE

AFTER

After ...

POWDER ROOM UPDATE, ANTIQUE DRESSER VANITY, OVAL SINK

POWDER ROOM UPDATE, ANTIQUE DRESSER VANITY, OVAL SINK

Before, this powder room was large and uninspiring.  To transform it, we added a 1920s mahogany dresser, which was customized into a vanity by adding a sink and faucet.  By also using wallpaper, paint, a new light fixture and accessories this powder room quickly became spectacular.