Style At Home Magazine - April 2024

BEFORE &AFTER

Prepare to be amazed. These 9 transformations reveal how a smart reno will bring function and beauty home.

THE DESIGNER

Michelle Fleischhacker, Room Service Interiors

THE BRIEF

Create an elegant and serene primary ensuite with seascape colours, a feminine aesthetic and living-in-place safety features.

FAVOURITE FEATURES

Subtle yet sophisticated living-in-place touches are woven in to allow the client to stay in her home. A custom barrier-free shower, vanity with sensor toe-kick lights, temperature-controlled sensor faucets, and grab bars add functionality without compromising beauty. In the closet, it’s all about the wallpapered ceiling!

TOP TIP

Accessible spaces don’t have to feel sterile. Many suppliers offer stunning safety features that can be seamlessly incorporated.

SPA STYLE

THE DESIGNERS

Jamelya Francis and Michelle Bellissimo, Francis + Bell Design Studio

THE BRIEF

The primary ensuite lacked storage, sufficient lighting and an overall aesthetic. The designers needed to add cabinet space that wouldn’t overcrowd the room or impede flow. They wanted to create a spa-like space while also linking to the style of the main floor.

FAVOURITE FEATURE

The green tile works beautifully with the gold fixtures.

TOP TIP

With limited square footage, the designers took advantage of the nine-foot ceilings, adding cabinets all the way to the top, which maximized floor space and accentuated the ceiling height.

THE DESIGNER

Alyssa Moscovitch-Young, Harper Gray Design

THE BRIEF

Expand the primary ensuite, increase closet space and incorporate a workspace – all without compromising the ensuite’s luxurious appeal and comfort.

FAVOURITE FEATURES

The marble is a focal point in the design and is a testament to the stone’s enduring beauty. As well, the custom mirrors are actually recessed medicine cabinets.

TOP TIP

The space is cohesive thanks to the continuity of the floor and wall tiles in the shower and the rest of the space, which visually enlarges the room by eliminating boundaries. It’s subtle but impactful.

THE DESIGNER

Emilia Wisniewski, Studio 1NINE1

THE BRIEF

Update the layout to improve flow, add storage and carve out space for a small mudroom. Also include seating at the island and a small dining space that’s well integrated into the kitchen.

FAVOURITE FEATURES

TOP TIP

Inject colour and versatility into a kitchen by adding accent colours in small touches. Here, black and burgundy accents link different areas, and the artwork complements the space beautifully. CONSTRUCTION, Lowell Lyons. CABINETRY, KWR Custom Cabinetry. CABINETRY PAINT, Collingwood OC-28, Benjamin Moore. FRIDGE, Bosch. RANGE, Wolf. MICROWAVE, Panasonic Canada. HARDWARE, Emtek. FAUCET,

Running the quartz from the counter up the wall fulfills the client’s request for a “quiet” countertop and backsplash. It’s calm, sophisticated and – bonus! – so easy to clean. The other standout features are the custom table and bench, which fit into the space beautifully. Their curvaceousness softens the straight lines so common in kitchens. This is where the family now loves to gather together and hang out.

THE DESIGNER

Christine Rigby, The Dickson Design Group

THE BRIEF

The homeowner wanted better flow throughout the first floor of her home, more open space, and a bigger kitchen with much more storage.

FAVOURITE FEATURE

The island, which allows for seating on both sides. The family enjoys most of their meals there and it’s easier to communicate when facing each other; the island also offers a view of a nearby wood-burning fireplace.

TOP TIP

Take time to assess what you need to store to ensure you have the right-size cabinetry. For instance, you might have a stand mixer or extra-large pots that require taller cabinets, or you might need enough drawers with custom dividers for two sets of cutlery.

SEE THE LIGHT

THE DESIGNERS

Jamelya Francis and Michelle Bellissimo, Francis + Bell Design Studio

THE BRIEF

Boosting natural light, modernizing, and including more storage were priorities, as was finding a way to keep small appliances hidden but accessible.

FAVOURITE FEATURE

Adding an additional 12 inches to the depth of the island provided much-needed work surface and room for extra features, such as a wine rack, wine fridge, pot drawers and smart storage solutions.

TOP TIP

Don’t obstruct sightlines. Here, cabinets and a bulkhead that hung over the island and blocked the view to the patio doors were removed to let more natural light in. Cabinets on the back and side walls extend to the ceiling to compensate for the cabinets that were removed.

PATTERN PERFECTION

THE DESIGNER

Rebecca Hay, Rebecca Hay Designs

THE BRIEF

The designer renovated her own family’s dining room. Her mandate: an elevated but family-friendly space that works for daily use and dinner parties.

FAVOURITE FEATURE

The custom dining bench saves space, allowing the table to be moved closer to the wall, which improved flow. The bench is covered in a durable fabric and can seat up to five or six kids, if needed.

TOP TIP

Choose complementary fabrics for a cohesiveness, but avoid a matchy-matchy feel. By using fabrics in the same colourway and playing with the scale of the patterns, you can achieve interest without creating an overly busy look. Note how the rug unites the elements; opt for a flat weave for durability and a subtle pattern to hide minor stains.

THE DESIGNER

Rebecca Hay, Rebecca Hay Designs

THE BRIEF

The living room of the designer’s century home had to accommodate TV watching and entertaining. The front porch meant it lacked natural light, so Rebecca imagined a dark, cozy sanctuary that was elegant, too.

FAVOURITE FEATURES

Rebecca’s favourite feature is the wall colour. She’s also pleased that the tall ceilings enabled her to increase the height of the door openings for a grander feel. As well, big comfy furniture is covered in fabrics that connect to the adjacent dining room (shown opposite).

TOP TIP

Go bold with colour. Painting a dark room in a dark colour enhances the vibe and distracts from low natural light in the space.

THE DESIGNER

Kerry Dalton, Kerry Dalton Interior Design

THE BRIEF

Removing the dividing walls and opening the kitchen to adjacent rooms, as well as eliminating drop ceilings, were key asks that would brighten the dark space. Other must-haves included new custom cabinets (with glass-door uppers for display), a large island with book-matched quartz countertop and pendant lights, a farmhouse sink and a standout range hood.

FAVOURITE FEATURE

The custom stainless-steel range hood. The designer was able to specify its dimensions, the size and colour of the ribs, and the colour and polish level of the stainless-steel sheets.

TOP TIP

Provide a place for everything. Adequate storage, a microwave drawer, a docking drawer for charging, and more, resulted in an organized room and clutter-free countertops.