Project Windermere was a head-to-toe transformation for a busy family of four, looking to make the most out of the home they had been living in for the past 7 years. Our goal was to ensure kid-friendly, yet stylish living with an emphasis on storage. Every inch of available space was maximized, and everything we chose was designed to be both stylish AND durable.
The final product is comfortable, bright, and designed for living!
Before: Entry
The client wanted something bright, open and inviting without fuss or formality. The emphasis was on making the space as functional as possible for this busy family. We took the (un-insulated) entry and created a winterized mudroom. We replaced the front door, added a picture window and installed radiant heating in the floor. And the closets! What was once a tiny and shallow closet is now full of creative storage, and a design focal point.
After: entry
Before: Kitchen
The kitchen really just needed a little love! The client wanted to keep the layout and cabinets in tact, however modernize things slightly with upgrades to the hardware, faucet and backsplash to create a more contemporary feel. We painted the door black and added a softening window treatment to marry the dark hardware and create some contrast amongst all of the white. It was amazing to see the results with just a few thoughtful cosmetic updates!
AFTER: KITCHEN
BEFORE: LIVING-DINING
The transformation of the living-dining area was all about scale of furnishings. Although comfortable soft seating in the living area was king, the scale needed some adjusting in order to better fit the dimensions of the space. We went with a dark sofa in a durable fabric (almost denim-like) in order to remain forgiving for the little ones. The clients had their hearts set on an expandable oval-shaped dining table for this space — which after a long and hard search, we found! Using black accents again throughout helped to dramatize certain elements and give depth to the overall space.
AFTER: LIVING-DINING
before: girls’ rooms
Designing for the wee-ones is oh so much fun! This pair of little girls’ rooms needed some fun, and that’s just what we gave them. Given that the little ladies are still growing and changing, we kept the existing furniture knowing it will need age-upgrades in a short time. We added a splash of colour through paint, window treatments and decorative elements as well as updated the lighting to create new-feeling spaces without a total overhaul.
AFTER: GIRLS’ ROOMS
Before - Master Bedroom
The couple had a vision for their master bedroom — a calming respite from the chaos of busy family and work lives, in the vein of a calming cottage-like retreat. We achieved this by anchoring the back wall with shiplap, painted in a dark charcoal-navy. We lightened up the scale of the furniture as well, using lighter-scaled pieces in walnut, as well as marble-topped nightstands and tons of texture in the bedding. The hero is the large map print behind the bed, framed to float over the accent wall, allowing the texture to shine through.
After: Master Bedroom
The final product is refined but comfortable, exactly what a home should be!
Many thanks to the amazing Lauren Miller for her work in capturing the photos of this space.
