Kitchen 101

We are guilty of spending a lot of our family time in the kitchen. And frankly, it's not always cooking! We tend to gather there due to the accessibility and central location of our kitchen. It's also inviting - which means it's light, bright and airy.

Those three factors are really the winning formula for ANY dreamy kitchen renovation! So it's no surprise that I took this winning formula and applied it to my client's most recent kitchen renovation.  

Here is the before:

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And here is the AFTER!

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Now, these are the key takeaways!  A common misconception I come across is that people dislike natural wood. Especially woods that are oaky and tend to have more of a yellow hue. They believe that if a room in their house is dark or moody - they have to part ways with it. I'm here to save all that natural beauty RIGHT NOW! We believe that character in homes is far and few between these days.. and this ceiling is exactly where it is found. It's easy to paint over wood and have a white on white kitchen. But even better is having an airy and light kitchen that allows a detail like this to come to life. Notice how in the post renovation pictures - the wood itself appears to have a different hue. Colours, fabrics, woods, metals (finishes etc.) are always playing off each other in a small space. Also note, I chose to keep the light fixture here! I absolutely love how it brings the entire space together - think of it bridging the gap between what was and what is! Remember, you can get a refreshing new look with just changing one or two elements within any given space!

Key takeaway number 2.. There is NO shame in simplicity! In fact, one of the things that makes a space inviting is the easy, live-in ease one feels when being in the space. I love to use handles that are elegant, refined and minimalist. Not every detail has to be eclectic - playing these handles down will let your light and bright cabinets shine!

I also encourage you to consider what it looks like to cook in your kitchen, live in it, what you want to keep in it, where you want it that to be stored..etc. The more time you spend planning out your dream kitchen - the more satisfied you'll be with your renovation! Everyone's routine is unique so it matters whether you prefer baskets for storage or whether you prefer other customized features throughout your kitchen that meet the needs of your family's day-to-day!

Regardless of your wish list.. I ALWAYS recommend that you meet with an expert before undertaking any type of major home renovation project! Remember, meeting with an interior designer, architect, or general contractor doesn't always mean that they carry out the renovation form start to finish. Based on your needs and budget, you can select what service needs you have and how you'll best be able to tackle them. I do many home consultations during early parts of home renovation projects that seek to provide my clients with as much information as possible. These can often occur in an hour or two and provide you with invaluable insight! Then it's ultimately up to you how you wish to proceed and what professionals you'll need along the way! 

Happy light, bright and airy kitchens!!! And thank you to my VERY lovely clients for allowing us to share their stunning new kitchen! 

Sanja 

Pieces that stand the test of time..

Often times we are given gifts for celebrations throughout our lifetime. They are meant to represent or capture the emotion of any given milestone - sad, happy, funny and many more emotions.. Some gifts become treasured keepsakes that remind us of those very moments in time and if we're really lucky, they will stand the test of time.

This beautiful piece of art was given to us as a wedding present almost 30 years ago. It is an original oil painting completed by a dear family member that found it most appropriate to gift his natural talent to our newly bliss-ed matrimony. He of course, attended art school and graduated top of his class in a widely accredited European University. However, at the time, I don't remember what I thought when I look at this piece. I am sure we liked it, and enjoyed it but I didn't nearly think to put thought into the many layers of this piece.

Now looking at it in my home on a daily basis - I know that I could not adore it anymore. The rolling hills and captivating valleys are only broken up by the post-storm brightness in the sky. Today, this piece of art represents everything life in fact is. It is moody, unpredictable, complicated, yet beautiful - powerful, uplifting, and most importantly, hopeful. The colors, the scenery.. really are the making of a piece that stands the test of time.

It's an original..

Art is a wonderful form of self-expression. And by now, you can tell it is a key component of our design. Most often people assume that art comes with a unattainable price tag and it deters them from even beginning their hunt for the perfect piece. We're here to tell you that couldn't be further from the truth! All it takes is getting a bit creative!

The piece featured above was purchased at a student silent auction at the University of Alberta. Students chose to participate in a fundraiser for the art department and each donated a piece they had completed. We fell in love with the portrait style of this 'unfinished' piece. To us, it did just what we want all our art to do.. it let our imaginations run wild!

One of the biggest takeaways here is that people can spend hundreds on art prints - versions of the originals. And sometimes, yes it makes sense..if there is a print you love (and the original sits in the Louvre!) or perhaps if it is a graphic piece with a bold text statement. But truth be told, there is something to be said about owning 'original' art - that only hangs on your walls. It becomes apart of your story, it becomes a form of your self-expression and most importantly, you get to show it off to all of your house guests! So next time take a chance on an 'up and coming' artist..chances are they are full of talent and the moment others discover them you'll never be able to afford their original works anyways!