Contemporary coastal

"Seaside Residence was a partial renovation of a grand Georgian home. Our clients have a young family with 2 boys. An active life by the coast is ideal for them, and they wanted a home that was calm, but filled with personality - something young and fresh, that still honoured the traditional architectural style of their heritage house."

Melbourne-based interior designer Sally Caroline opened up the floorplan and created a sophisticated, contemporary look with statement furniture pieces and a colour palette that references the seaside location with soft neutrals and splashes of blue.

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An open concept mid-century remodel

Now this is one seriously cool remodel. It is so good I sent some photos of the kitchen to one of my sisters who is looking to renovate hers soon. I hope to gawd hers ends up looking similar. Not many kitchens have a little funk like this one. Kudos to Veneer Designs on a job really well done. Let's start with a before photo:

Look at it now!

A recently transplanted couple of creatives, who were also expecting twins during the remodel, had a clear vision of how to update and refine their post and beam home tucked into the treetops of Pacific Palisades. Taking cues from nature as well as the home's architecture, an earthy and brave interpretation of midcentury design was applied to the new kitchen layout and adjoining spaces.  Mahogany cabinets with color blocking, red oak rift cut wall paneling, epoxy floors, glazed thin brick specialty tile, and ceramic light pendants commissioned from Heather Rosenman come together to create a unique composition. (Photos: Amy Bartlam)

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Stalking 1

A period home with a modern extension ... it's what Australian architects do so well. Oh and seamless indoor outdoor integration of course. I'm stalking a Queens Park, Sydney home with a cozy but funky front (the facade is a dead giveaway that something special lurks within) and a split-level extension featuring a spacious parents' retreat and a huge open-plan kitchen/dining/living zone with sliding glass walls. The design is by Fox Johnston Architects. Link here while it lasts.

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A renovated 1890's home in Ottawa

Back in the summer of 2014 I featured the home next door to me, designed by Grassroots Design + Build. The other day Sarah, a local editor, contacted me to see if I was interested in featuring the 1890's renovated home of Emma Doucet, who runs Grassroots. Her home is in Hintonburg, a favourite neighbourhood I have lived near for over a decade and I have driven by Emma's house on many occasions and absolutely love it. Sarah kindly sent me a bunch of photos (by Justin Van Leeuwen) and some info from a story she wrote on this house a couple of years ago. So before I share the photos here are some details... Emma and her husband bought the home in 2006, and 4 months of renovations included a complete redo of the kitchen that opened it to the dining room, and redesign of the bathrooms. Luckily through 4 owners many original featured remained like the dining room mouldings and living room fireplace. The new kitchen includes dreamy custom cabinets and a pressed-tin ceiling. This house is so fun and fresh and has so much character. I LOVE IT!!!

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A renovated, modern home in Toronto

This newly renovated home in the Roncesvalles/High Park neighbourhood of Toronto is an absolutely gorgeous example of taking an old home and making it modern and functional. That huge painting in the dining room is a perfect dose of colour and whimsy, and I am dying over the black steel windows - especially the ones over the kitchen sink. I would fill that ledge with allllll the plants. :) By Pivot Design. 

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