A light filled before and after by mercer INTERIOR

I love a good before and after. Dowdy and dull is transformed into light and bright, frumpy into fabulous family living. It's been a while since we featured the work of Brooklyn-based mercer INTERIOR so I was excited when Elizabeth Mercer Aurandt and her team sent us their latest project. (You can see our previous post here.) Wow what a transformation! The home has been reimagined with a light colour palette and stylish, contemporary furniture, reinvigorating the rooms and, I'm sure, how the family use their new home. 

Click to read more ...

A family-friendly and colourful townhouse in the West Village

There is nothing I appreciate more than an old home with its original details maintained after a renovation, like in this West Village townhouse by Rob Stuart. This fearless family yearned for a color infused, yet calming, fresh design all with the detail and nuance of a rarified turn of the century townhouse. Vintage mantles, layered moldings, patterned wallpapers and colorful fabrics come together in this family friendly home. We nudged various walls slightly throughout the floor plan to provide for a more spacious feel. I am head over heels with this little foyer in the photo above. I love the bold yellow wallpaper for the ceiling paired with the teal light fixture. It's an unexpected pairing with the rest of the traditional details. 

Click to read more ...

A mid-century renovation in California

A simple, somewhat minimalist, mid-century renovation in Royal Woods, California by 22 INTERIORS. Super bright and modern, I would have loved to see a bit more colour and "stuff", and maybe those ceiling beams left unpainted, but the marble and banquette in the kitchen make up for it. :)

Click to read more ...

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)

Click to read more ...

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!!!

Click to read more ...