What It's Really Like to Live in a Home Designed Just for You
…Plus a Mini Holiday Gift Guide!
“Sometimes a design style evolves while we are creating it…”
As the homeowner, you come to the table with ideas and inspiration and walk away with a design plan that you adore, but never knew was possible. A concept created just for you...meeting and exceeding every expectation...making you fall in love with your home all over again.
Such was the case for Laurie and John*, my empty-nester clients who love to entertain, cook, and host casual dinner parties. In fact, long after our project, Laurie told me, “One year later we are still in awe that it is our home and how stunning it turned out.” Music to a designer’s ears!
But they weren’t always this happy…
The Tumultuous Backstory
When I first met this lovely couple, they were at odds with their kitchen, and frankly, with the concept of hiring a designer as well.
You see, Laurie and John had started their renovation process with another designer. But, early on in the process, Laurie realized that she and the designer were simply not a good fit. (Yes, this does happen sometimes.) The original designer had developed a design plan and chosen finishes that didn’t feel at all like them, and when challenged, an argument would ensue. It became very clear that it was best to part ways.
A little while later, on a Saturday afternoon, Laurie wandered into the local Benjamin Moore showroom where I was working at the time, helping customers choose the perfect paint colours for their projects. She and I got to talking about her renovation and I offered her some advice.
As the conversation neared its end, she asked me if I would be willing to come to their home for a few hours to offer design suggestions for finishes that would help them achieve the comfortable look and feel they were hoping for.
Despite the fact that she had only two inspiration photos, that, upon first glance, didn’t seem to work together whatsoever, I agreed. I could tell she really had no idea what she was looking for, and I was confident I could help solve this design dilemma for a very deserving couple.
The Aesthetic Inspiration
Laurie and John knew they wanted an open concept kitchen for cooking and entertaining friends. But they couldn’t quite pinpoint the aesthetic that best suited their lifestyle and personalities. (Wondering how to define your own design aesthetic? Look no further...this past blog post has everything you need to know to nail down your own personal style and start creating a space that speaks to you.)
They offered these images as a starting point…
They loved the blue glass backsplash, clean-lined modern cabinets and very crisp feel of the above kitchen image that they had found while searching on Houzz. But it wasn’t quite as warm and inviting as they dreamed their space would be.
On the other hand, they loved the light, bright, welcoming vibe that this space offered...even though it is more shabby chic than modern. This image, sourced from Cote De Texas, popped up while they were browsing online and they instantly identified with the relaxing, cozy feel of this space.
With these very different concepts in mind, I set about coming up with a plan that was both light and airy, while infusing lots of happy colour and a few wood accents for warmth. No easy feat, but where there’s a plan, there’s a way…
The Complex Game Plan
Our first order of business was to open up the wall between the kitchen and living room/dining area combination...creating a better space for entertaining.
With that piece of the puzzle settled, we had many important design decisions to make...
The Flooring
While working with the first designer, Laurie and John had purchased luxury vinyl plank flooring that had a bit of a barn board look and feel. Instead of scrapping that and increasing the client’s total project cost, we decided to use the purchased flooring as our “shabby chic” element in the space. We even added interior doors in a natural birch maple to coordinate...infusing warmth in what was about to become the modern kitchen of their dreams.
The Cabinets
To contrast beautifully with the wooden fixtures in the space, we chose high gloss white cabinets to elevate the contemporary kitchen design we had come up with. With clean lines, and without hardware, the cabinets we chose were both a blank canvas as well as their own design masterpiece.
The Countertops
Knowing that we would be installing a glass backsplash, which is beautiful, but appears somewhat stagnant, we knew we wanted a countertop material that had a bit of movement, but wasn’t heavily patterned. My first thought was white quartz, but Laurie didn’t like how it felt cold to the touch and seemed really hard (and this kitchen was designed for her, after all).
After sifting through a number of options that appeared either too plain or too patterned, we decided upon a Corian solid surface counter instead. The Corian we chose had a subtle white swirl that added just the right amount of movement. The shade of white worked well with the high gloss white cabinets and would be a crisp backdrop for the glass backsplash that was yet to come.
The Backsplash
I’ll be honest...I was a bit nervous about this component. When Laurie showed me that first modern kitchen inspiration photo, I knew we were headed in the direction of custom glass backsplash. I remember thinking to myself, “How am I going to pull off a custom colour, back painted glass backsplash?” (Because when you live in a small town, sometimes it's hard to come across trades people that have done this type of specialized work.)
However, as luck would have it, one of the local glass companies I knew well had just hired a person that had done these types of glass backsplashes for a previous employer in the city and he knew exactly what to do! All we had to do was come up with the colour and they would get the job done. Whew! That was a relief.
While brainstorming how to select a colour, it dawned on me that Laurie and I had bonded over the fact that we had both been to the Caribbean several times. We had marveled together about the colour of the crystal clear blue water, so I knew that if we found just the right paint colour to replicate the awe-inspiring appearance of that water, we’d all be happy. We found just that in Benjamin Moore’s Laguna Blue...it would create the perfect Caribbean sea look, evoking wonderful memories that would help my clients love their space. (Plus, paired with those white countertops full of movement...hello, crashing waves!)
Laurie summed up this whole design process well, saying,
“We had some flooring, backsplash, cabinetry, and countertops picked out before we met Adrienne. When we met we showed Adrienne pictures of what we had in mind. The backsplash and the flooring stayed the same, the rest changed. What we had chosen before meeting Adrienne was not truly what we liked compared to the pictures we had shown her.
With Adrienne's professional and knowledgeable guidance we ended up with exactly what we were looking for but did not know how to achieve. Adrienne is a wealth of information and has a calming way of explaining everything you could possibly have questions about. We highly recommend Adrienne for any new home build or for any size home renovation if a stress free and quality experience are what you are looking for.”
The Stunning End Result
In this absolutely gorgeous open concept kitchen and living room, we wanted the furnishings to connect with the Laguna Blue colour that we chose for the kitchen. The blue sofa and oceanic artwork adds a modern vibe while the live edge wood cut coffee table flows seamlessly with the casual feel of the LVP flooring.
The clean-lined cabinetry and Caribbean blue colour palette brings a modern aesthetic to the kitchen while the warm barn board look flooring adds a welcoming touch that invites guests to grab a drink and stay a while. It is the perfect combination of calming and contemporary.
Wondering how to design a space ideal for entertaining in your own home? Our recent blog post shares tips and tricks for creating a home that will be the life of the party.
Incorporating two sinks was a no-brainer in this kitchen...one large sink out of the way for cleanup, and a smaller, more convenient sink in the island to assist with food prep. It is these little details that can make the difference between a kitchen that you like and one that you absolutely love living in.
While a little bit unconventional, Laurie and John are thrilled with their raised dishwasher and wall oven. Although they did admit that if they were to do this project all over again, they would lower the oven slightly, as the top rack is just a bit too high for Laurie to reach. Live and learn, right?!
The nearby low-profile pantry provides the same clean, glossy look that the clients love, while still allowing for easy access of food, small kitchen appliances, and other pantry staples. But the best part?! When not in use, the closed white doors blend in with the surroundings, creating a beautifully cohesive space.
This kitchen, designed by Cranbrook Interior Woodwork, with mine and Laurie’s input, is everything she and John dreamed of and more. They get to wake up every day in a space that they adore...one that makes them feel comfortable, calm, and happy to live in this very home!
The Happy Clients
When I spoke with Laurie recently, I asked her if there was anything that felt challenging during the renovation process. Her answer was, “Once I found the right designer to guide me through finding my style and choosing finishes that felt right to me, everything after that was easy”. Aww!
As a designer, it is all about taking the time to really get to know your clients. To discover their ideal aesthetic. To listen to their story. To weave together pieces of their life with their big dreams to create a space that far exceeds expectations.
When you can do those things, you’re able to create a space so perfect for the clients that they are still happy years later...just like Laurie and John.
I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again — it is these kinds of projects that make me love my job! It is a joy and an honour to come alongside clients who need some guidance and help them (and the rest of the team) create a home that is everything they wanted, but didn’t know how to articulate. And when they are still amazed, years later, each time they walk into their space...well, that is why I do what I do. I love helping my clients fall in love with their homes all over again.
If your space isn’t exactly what you want it to be, I invite you to reach out to me here. With some imagination, creative planning, and a dedicated team, the home of your dreams is a lot closer than you might think.
Until next month,
Adrienne
*Names changed to protect the homeowners’ privacy.
Bonus: Holiday Gift Guide!
Want to surprise that special someone on your holiday list with a kitchen-inspired gift this year? Here are my top picks for all of the home chefs and hostesses in your life…
#1: Fraiche Food, Full Hearts Cookbook
Written by two ladies from Kelowna, B.C., in a way, it feels local. Plus, this cookbook has something for everyone, including fully convertible recipes for every diet; vegan, vegetarian, dairy-free, gluten-free, nut-free, etc.. Their recipes use simple ingredients that are found in every grocery store. I love their celebration menus, the table setting ideas, and of course, all of the pretty pictures.
#2: Swedish Sponge Cloths
These cloths are naturally anti-bacterial and their composition allows them to dry quickly, so no more stinky dishcloth in the kitchen sink. They are 100% biodegradable and can be thrown away with compostable waste, so they pretty much replace paper towels (especially because they don’t leave water streaks). I pop mine in the dishwasher for easy cleaning and they will last 6-12 months. I love the fun prints and will often wrap one around a bottle of wine or flavoured olive oil if I am giving it as a gift.
#3: Stone Cold Marble Wine Chiller
This wine chiller is a pretty addition to any tablescape to keep your white and rose wines chilled. When you're not using it to chill wine, it can be used as a vase (and believe me, you can’t do that with an ordinary wine chiller). Because it is made from marble, you just pop it in the freezer and it will stay cold for hours. Beautiful and practical!
#4: Wine Decanter Aerator
If you've ever pulled out that bottle of wine you have been cellaring for the last 5 years and have forgotten to open and let it “breathe” before serving it to your guests, this little gem is for you. The bottle of wine attaches to the neck of the carafe and you simply transfer the wine into the decanter and then turn it upside down to return the wine to the bottle. The aeration can help to bring a greater range and depth of flavor to that special vintage.
#5: Charcuterie Board
This gift is entertaining, made easy. This board and accessories are a great tool to have in your arsenal to put together a quick and easy spread. Perfect for last minute dinner guests or a Friday night with friends and family, it's easy to stop by your local deli and pick up a selection of meats and cheese, add in some fruit and crackers or artisanal bread and voila, you're done! Oh and don’t forget the beer and wine!
*photos credited to each item source