B & B Kitchen Moodboard

After numerous meetings, on-line shoppping, strolls along Queen West, last minute design changes (scrap the pantry we want a powder room….Seriously?), scrounging clients home for unique pieces (it’s full of antiques), clients scrounging friend’s garage to ditch Kim’s found pieces, middle of the night “I got it” moments, many “stop we have another change” phone calls to Jenn (Interior Design/Auto Cad extrordinaire, to whom I am eternally grateful and lucky to have on my side) we can finally say “By George (recovering 1980′s Culture Club addict) I think we’ve got it!”

The home owners of this 1830′s heritage house need modern conveniences to effectively run their charming B & B. (Best Getaway Experience 2010′ by The Hills of Headwaters Tourism Association. Best Bed & Breakfast in Canada 2004 by Arrington’s Inn Traveler. Best Breakfast Award for 2005 and 2006.) Yet they want to keep the “old fashioned” feeling their guests have grown to love and expect. So we’re mixing a little bit of old and a little bit of new and a little of the unexpected.

Stay tuned and enjoy the transformation of one of Caledon’s true treasures.

Tags: kitchen design, Kitchens, moodboards

Lovin’ Etsy … Unique fixtures

My vision for lighting for this rather unique kitchen design (heritage house circa 1830) was vintage mason jars. But where to find something handmade from mason jars? Why, Etsy of course. My heart skipped a beat when I stumbled upon this fabulous linear fixture…

This can be customized by number of lights and lengths…AND, the cool metal plate on the rustic wooden box can be customized. Does life get better than this?
At Etsy.com by Zoeveedesigns

Second choice would be hanging two of these over the island…

Etsy.com by Lampgoods

Here’s hoping my wonderful clients will appreciate my vision.

Tags: design, fixtures, kitchen design, Lighting

For the love of paint

I often say “paint is my favorite” and for good reason. Paint is the most cost effective update you can give your space. And for the impatient folks like me it is almost instant gratification. This kitchen is a perfect example of how paint saved the day.

We were fortunate that this huge country kitchen was functional and constructed of good quality materials. We painted the cabinets a creamy white for an instant update. The hinges and knobs were sprayed with flat black paint.

The results…very gratifying. We also replaced the countertop with granite and extended the island to create a breakfast bar. The backsplash was retiled with 1″ x 2″ marble and updated lighting topped it off.

Tags: Kitchen refacing, kitchen resurfacing

Lakefront condo staged and sold!

This lakefront condo in Toronto is small! When working with a small space every square inch must be utilized. The homeowner had furniture pushed against the wall and the sofa was blocking the door to the balcony….

Simple re-arrangement of furniture and the addition of a few accessories and the condo is ready for the market…

Just a few short days later the unit is SOLD!

Tags: Home staging, staged properties