CHEERS TO NEW ADVENTURES

Iwas very surprised and flattered to receive a call one morning asking to become the new Home Editor for the PEI Living Magazine. I was apprehensive for a multitude of reasons...I can’t write, my grammar is horrific, I do not have time for this, I won’t be any good at this.

I am following in big shoes—shoes that I have looked up to long before I started my career in Interior Design. I understand that we all reach a point in our lives where we want to take that step back from our careers to enjoy the finer things in life. You have earned it Susan, cheers to you!

There is one thing I’ve learned over the past few years—stepping outside your comfort zone opens you up to discovery, opportunities, and growth—so I said yes with the promise that someone will hold my hand when I need it.

Speaking of the finer things in life, PEI summer’s are one of them! The Island has so much to offer in the summer, from it’s breathtaking views, mouthwatering cuisine, and that constant breeze that carries the subtle smell of oceanic salt or freshly cut hay. That easy-breezy, carefree lifestyle is what this beautiful Island is all about during the summer months and I am here for it!

In this issue, we are showcasing Tops to Floors newly expanded Summerside headquarters and what that means for Islanders. We share tips about how to take advantage of our outdoor spaces during the summer months by making simple upgrades. A kitchen that truly is the “heart of the home” and the realities of a kitchen renovation….not that stuff you see on TV, plus I chat about cohesion and how that can be achieved in the home.

You’ll find an enchanting A-frame cabin in the woods that makes the perfect family getaway and we discuss how to choose your mattress for the best night’s sleep.

This issue is jam-packed with useful advice and inspiration—get reading.

Cheers to summer!

Sara Dykerman Home & Cottage Editor

Outdoor upgrades

Now that the warm weather is finally here it’s time to get outside and enjoy your patio or deck. Maybe your space is looking a bit dull. Does it need an upgrade? We’ve got some simple ideas that will keep you outside until November.

By Jacqui Chaisson

Let There Be Light

Layer lights throughout your backyard, patio and deck for a romantic and relaxing ambiance. Use solar fairy lights, garden stakes and battery-operated candles in different areas.

Potted herb garden

Have fresh herbs all season by planting your favourite herbs in pots. They serve as decor, smell incredible and taste fantastic. A win-win!

Water feature

The sound of bubbling water is so relaxing in your outdoor space and it’s a wonderful resource for local wildlife visitors. If you’re really ambitious create a container pond complete with fish and aquatic plants.

Pizza oven

Who doesn’t love a pizza party? A perfect alternative or addition to the barbecue. Use fresh, local ingredients and let everyone choose their favourite options.

PLANK & PINE - Timeless, distinct, and designed for the way you live.

BUILDING A COHESIVE HOME:

Building a cohesive home is about taking a holistic approach to design and thinking about the look, feel, and livability of every detail. Creating unity involves careful consideration of your colour palette, fabrics and patterns, silhouettes, lighting characteristics, furniture, and so much more.

Determine Colour Palette:

► We recommend considering three-five colours when designing your home. Generally, two of these colours should function as your primary colours and have a greater presence than the remaining colours which are used more sparingly. In our #winterriverhouse project we applied one of our dominate colours, Tricorn Black by Sherwin Williams, to the kitchen millwork, the mudroom built-ins, and to specific interior doors. We also intentionally incorporated various black hard and soft finishes throughout the home as well, to create more of a visual connection and build upon the cohesion (even the smallest of details can make a substantial impact to the overall big picture.) Side note: keep in mind that you do not have to use the exact same colour on repeat in every space…you can, we did it, but you can also play with varying “tints” and “shades” of the same colour to build interest and consistency.

Consistent Materials: :

► If you love ship-lap as much as we do and decide to incorporate it into your home, be sure to carry this linear material into other areas of your home as well. In our #winterriverhouse project we applied vertical shiplap to all the walls in the secondary bathroom, discreetly to the mudroom lockers, and finally to the walls on the covered deck, which is a beautiful extension to the home.

A similar principal can be applied to the species of wood you incorporate. We often mix our wood species because it not only creates more visual interest and depth, but it also makes furniture selection much easier, as we are not given the impossible task of trying to match every piece to one colour of wood. We do like to ensure the species we select have a similar undertone = cohesion.

Lighting Characteristics: :

► We all know that consistent finishes, whether that be brass, matte black, polished nickel, etc should be carried throughout your home but there are other characteristics to consider as well to help build cohesiveness. Your fixtures should tell the same story but in a different way…what we mean by this is, they should have a similar style, but they do not need to be from the same collection.

We also like to pay close attention to those areas in the home, where light fixtures are near each other. In these areas, we like to mix ceiling vs wall mount fixtures, linear vs single pendants, etc and to be honest the more we can avoid pot lights the better.

Furniture:

► Like lighting, we strongly (very strongly) encourage you to not purchase matching furniture sets/collections. We understand it’s so much easier to do this, but the result isn’t great and while you may think it makes your space more cohesive…it doesn’t, your space just falls flat. Instead, we recommend blending new—old and high—low for a more interesting and timeless look/feel and carrying this variation into each space within your home.

At Plank & Pine, we design homes that evoke feeling. Each one is an elevated yet uncomplicated reflection of our clients’ lives. We specialize in extensive projects like new construction homes and comprehensive renovations that allow us the opportunity to see your space as a whole and curate elements that work together to enhance every moment.

Sara Dykerman

902.388.0088 plankandpineinteriordesign@gmail.com www.plankandpineinteriordesign.com