The Process:
Having been brought in when construction was already underway, we had to turn a critical eye to the plans and yet be mindful that any changes not be a setback for the project.

Although the walls of the kitchen and mudroom addition were already up, the kitchen layout was still in the planning stage and could be tweaked. This permitted us to eliminate 1 of 2 planned garden doors in order to maximize cabinetry/counter space, and to relocate a window and align it with an island, creating a pleasing sightline from the entry. Other minor changes to the architect's plans had great impact on the final product. Widened archways into the kitchen and living room and the elimination of an archway between the foyer and main hall create a sense of openness. The replacement of a badly situated bedroom window with glass block permitted optimal placement of a bed in the master bedroom. By far the most successful change was the creation of a luxurious closet/dressing area by merging a long narrow walk-in with the closet of the adjoining second bedroom.

In selecting finishes for the home, our focus was to stay within budget while creating a sense of personal luxury. Using standard 3" oak plank flooring instead of the exotic wood originally specified resulted in considerable savings while working beautifully with their furniture. Commonly used honed limestone tiles were used in creative ways: in the kitchen combining 4 sizes into an understated pattern, and in the foyer creating a rug effect with an inlaid mosaic border. The granite used for the kitchen counters was selected for its unusual cinnamon and spice hues -- setting the colour scheme for the main living space. Oiled bronze won out over today's favorite stainless steel for hardware and lighting finishes, in order to add interest to the kitchen. In the master ensuite, a batch of limestone was selected for its dramatic colour and grain -- extra wow factor without extra cost.

Our final responsibility was to plan a furniture layout. The clients already had a house full of furniture, but recombining them in new ways and providing a fresh backdrop brought them back to life. The dilemma of how to furnish the open concept living/dining room with its 15' picture window was resolved by purchasing an almost equally long curved sectional to create a more intimate seating area. The new fireplace added to the rear wall draws one into the room, and separates the seating area from the dining space.