BEFORE AND AFTER: LYNN VALLEY KITCHEN

Location: Lynn Valley, North Vancouver

Date Completed: 2023

Type of Project: Custom Kitchen Renovation

Construction: Barrett Group Custom Builders

Photography: Janis Nicolay

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Millwork: slim shaker white oak and painted hardwood in Farrow & Ball Jitney. Wall paint: Farrow & Ball Stirabout.

Having done multiple projects for this family in the past, it was my pleasure to get a phone call about yet another: long-awaited kitchen re-design. While the layout and the kitchen triangle of the existing kitchen were already working, the functionality could be significantly improved upon and the style of the original builder-grade kitchen was very flat, boring and not aligned with my client’s discerning taste (scroll to the bottom for the “before” photos).

Fluted glass on the upper cabinets flanking the tapered plaster hood. Fluted glass breaks up the wall of cabinetry creating an airy aesthetic and an interesting design detail.

The process that followed was a wonderful collaboration. My client brought forth her ideas and wish list for the space which I organized and filtered through my own design lens. Then, we tweaked and refined the details until we were both confident in the final product.

Natural light is complemented with simple wall washers, beautiful schoolhouse pendants over the island, a grid of potlights as well under-counter puck lighting, all on separate circuits and on dimmer switches to ensure plentiful and layered lighting.

As a result of our thorough and thoughtful process, the new kitchen is as elegant as it is functional; calm and refined and yet ready for rigorous use by this young and busy family.

Panelled Bosch Fridge allows for a more integrated seamless aesthetic.

Porcelain countertops offer all the beauty of marble yet are durable, stain-resistant and require no maintenance. Perimeter backsplash and waterfall island countertop with mitered edges are porcelain. Perimeter countertop is quartz by Caesarstone.

Centura tile in warm earthy tones is installed in a herringbone pattern adding a layer of texture to the kitchen. Some of the more modern design choices are complemented with transitional cabinetry hardware and schoolhouse pendants for a timeless aesthetic and a nod to the past.

Fluted plaster fireplace surround (in the background) mirrors the fluting of the glass cabinets in a subtle way.

Open shelving is a great way to add interest to the space, display cookbooks or beautiful objects or to have aesthetic cookware close and within reach.

Current yet timeless, warm and bright, spacious and inviting - this kitchen is ready for the memories (and messes!) to be made in it!

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BEFORE RENOVATION:

BEFORE AND AFTER: GLEBE TRANSFORMATION

Location: Glebe, Ottawa

Completed: 2022

Style & Type of Project: Classic Modern/ Eclectic, Custom Kitchen & Bathroom Renovation

Construction: DG Renovations

Photography: JVL Photo

This project was featured in Ottawa at Home magazine (p. 32-35) and was featured as an inspiration photo for Christina Ricci’s kitchen renovation on Hollywood Houselift.

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I was approached by a couple who were, like everyone else, couped up at home with their two kids during the pandemic and finally ready to renovate their lovely but compact Glebe home to their taste. We instantly bonded over mutual love of vintage marbles and Nate Berkus and got to work on the design for the transformation, almost entirely remotely over a series of Zoom calls.

LAYOUTS: BEFORE AND AFTER

Bound only by constraints of the exterior envelope and existing staircase, we decided to open up majority of the interior walls in order to bring this 90-year old Glebe home into its full glory, making ground floor a place where this family of four (and their pets) could enjoy their time together.

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KITCHEN

Working within the constraints of existing architecture, stair location and bulkheads required for structural support, we were able to create a spacious and open kitchen floorpan with lots of storage and a large island.

After some back and forth and careful consideration, we settled on a combination of finishes, textures and metals resulting a layered, dynamic yet cohesive aesthetic.

Perimeter Millwork is painted hardwood in Farrow & Ball Pigeon with a stunning Calacatta Borghini marble countertop, backsplash and shelf. Island millwork and custom hood vent are a decadent dark wood. Island countertop is Caesarstone Frosty Carrina. Choosing a quartz for the island allowed us to keep the project on budget and provided a practical and low-maintenance surface for this hardworking prep area.

In an effort to preserve some of the old-world charm of the home, classic detailing was introduced in the details like Ogee edge for island countertop, slim shaker cabinet door profile, a bridge kitchen faucet and traditional Ralph Lauren flush mount light fixtures.

Original stained-glass window (from another location) is repurposed as a top-hung window screen for the light to filter through.

Custom hood and shelving create an interesting focal point.

Combination of closed and open storage provides my clients with options of which kitchen items to stash away and which to proudly display. Custom brass shelving is an opportunity to place beautiful dishware in an easy-to-reach location as well as to display some art, bringing some life and personality into the space.

We settled on a classic style kitchen faucet with modern functionality of pull-down dual-spray feature.

DINING ROOM

Having so many spaces open and adjacent to one another meant that it was especially important to plan ahead to ensure that all finishes and fixtures are able to play well with one another and yet stand strong on their own without blending into a flat and lifeless composition.

Dining room is elevated with a black marble table, boucle-upholstered dining chairs and a fabulous chandelier. Built-in side board offers plentiful storage.

KIDS’ BATHROOM

Kids’ bathroom gets a complete make over with custom cabinetry in Sherwin Williams Oyster Bay, hand glazed tile, brushed brass fixtures and a fun animal-themed wallpaper from Anthropologie.

The re-imagined space is a reflection of the family’s tastes and preferences, filtered and organized into a cohesive narrative through a step-by-step design process.

New home is streamlined yet charming, complete with modern comforts while nodding to the nostalgia of bygone days, and most importantly completely bespoke to the lifestyle of this family.

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“Five star all around! She will be designing our future second property! ”

— Rina & David, Ottawa

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BEFORE: PRE-RENOVATION IMAGES

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ECLECTIC NORTH VANCOUVER BATHROOMS

Location: North Vancouver, British Columbia

Completed: 2021

Project type: Custom Bathroom Renovation, Custom Closet

Style: Transitional, Eclectic

Construction: Barrett Group Custom Builders

Photography: Janis Nicolay Photography

Wood vanity adds an element warmth to an otherwise bright and monochromatic bathroom. Herringbone mosaic floor brings a lot of texture without feeling too busy or distracting. Unique mirrors add character to the space.

Vanity elevated on legs feels like a furniture piece and contributes to the eclectic aesthetic of the space.

Shower is open to the rest of the room making the entire ensuite feel more spacious.

A shower bench is a functional addition.

Hand glazed organic tile covers the walls of the shower.

We chose to go with a simple glass shield instead of fully enclosed glass shower. Clean contemporary aesthetic, less cleaning, more open space!

Soft pink walls, wood vanity and bright fixtures are the winning combo for this little girls’ bathroom.

Fabric curtains are a lovely way to add softness to a space. With two young kids, it is also a practical choice for easy access into the tub.

Bold decisions in the powder room - whimsical botanical print, rich green wall paneling, penny tile floors and a beautiful walnut vanity - make for a unique space with lots of character.

Brass accents are a glam way to dress up the space.

This lovely wallpaper is by a Parisian boutique Antoinette Poison.

Custom closet on a budget? We did an IKEA hack, building an IKEA PAX closet flush into the wall and dressing it up with custom paneling and vintage door hardware.

BEFORE: Existing ensuite was a typical 5’ x 8’ space. We opened up the wall between small ensuite and even smaller walk in closet to combine them into a one spacious spa-like ensuite bathroom.

BEFORE: Powder room was completely lacking in character and style.

BEFORE AND AFTER: SANDY HILL HERITAGE HOME

Location: Sandy Hill, Ottawa

Date Completed: 2020

Style & Type of Project: Classic Modern, Heritage Home Renovation

Construction: Sanchez Homes

Photography: JVL Photo

This project was featured in Ottawa Magazine and was a winner in 2020 GOHBA Housing Design Awards in its category: Renovation $550,001 and over

This is a BEFORE image of the house prior to starting the renovation. The house had good bones and beautiful architectural features, yet had fallen into a sad state of disrepair due to years of neglect.

This project was a very special one for me for many reasons. I was lucky to witness and be a part of a complete restoration/full-gut reno of a beautiful heritage Tudor revival home in Ottawa’s historic Sandy Hill neighbourhood. The construction of this stately house dates back to the 1930’s (and possibly earlier!) when it was home to a prominent Ottawa businessman.

New kitchen looks bright, warm and inviting. Black cabinetry is balanced with warm hardwood floors, white walls (Sherwin Williams Eider White) and a beautiful slab of quartz. Intricate Aerin Hampton pendants in Gild finish are the jewelry of the space. The interior of the cabinets is finished in walnut which is beautifully showcased with the lighted glass cabinets. The kitchen boasts an enviable island, plenty of storage, hidden appliance garage, and abundant seating space.

Bright and elegant dining room is open to the kitchen on one side and the living room on the other side. This table has instantly become the hub of all socializing in the household.

Moreover, this project was significant in that my clients were my very close friends who put immense trust in me during the design and renovation process. Not only was it absolute joy to be able to help my best friend and her husband create their dream home, I was also able to let my creativity run free and have my ideas be welcomed with complete trust and enthusiasm. Additionally, my dear friend’s appreciation of unique features and details and her exquisite taste have contributed to a wonderful collaboration and client/designer synergy.

This tone-on-tone living room is welcoming and calm, perfect for a quiet evening or entertaining friends.

The result is a home that has been fully gutted, thoughtfully reorganized and beautifully refinished. While many original features were carefully preserved, the home has been upgraded to reflect the latest standards of modern comfort. This was quite an extensive renovation requiring significant work such as asbestos abatement, upgrading of the plumbing pipes to the city lines , enlargement of the attached garage and complete upgrade of all exterior insulation, as well as the ventilation, electrical and plumbing systems. Original leaded windows were replaced with artfully crafted replicas, conforming to the heritage conservation requirements. We also made an effort to preserve many of the existing architectural and interior elements to keep the old world charm of the heritage home - examples include original hardwood flooring, elegant staircase, beautiful front entry door, brick column in the kitchen that were touched up, painted and/or stained as required.

Art Deco inspired powder room is dark, moody and luxe featuring textured Flapper wallpaper with just enough bedazzle, chevron floor tile, elegant Victoria and Albert basin and fixtures in opulent brushed brass finish.

In an effort to successfully marry the interior with the original heritage architecture of the home, we chose to follow a modern classic style throughout the inside of the home. Architectural details such as coffered ceilings, ceiling medallions, applied mouldings and oversized baseboards were used throughout to create an elegant and refined space. While we seeked out some decidedly nostalgic elements referencing the time period such as the clawfoot tub in the master bedroom and an art-deco inspired wallpaper in the powder room, the rest of the furniture and finishes were chosen to create a home that is both timeless and current.

This master bedroom has a sumptuous hotel quality with the beautiful clawfoot tub taking centre stage.

My vision was an elegantly layered and textured white space anchored by a “floating” platform tiled in black marble tile. Ample details in the architectural elements and fixtures selected ensure that this monochromatic space is anything but boring.

Master ensuite is a beautiful mix of classic and modern. Applied mouldings line the exterior wall, custom cabinetry features a slim profile shaker door style in rich green color (Sherwin Williams Pewter Green) for an elegant yet modern aesthetic, drop in enamelled cast iron sinks carry a subtle old-world charm, while the modern wall mount faucets and edgy black light fixture balance out the space making it look updated and current.

Custom white oak cellar houses more than plenty of wine for many parties and celebrations to be enjoyed in this home for years to come. A delicate balance of old and new is maintained with some traditional elements such as custom wood criss cross wine storage offset by a contemporary sleek black framed glass door framing the view.

Luxe and plush basement entertaining lounge complete with a custom bar featuring lit up onyx countertop and an impressive scotch collection.

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“We were in exceptional hands from start to finish, and we are absolutely in love with our dream home- thanks to Marina. We will forever be grateful to her and cannot recommend her highly enough.”

— Angela & Nawar, Ottawa

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Keep scrolling to see the BEFORE pictures of the house in its former pre-renovation glory!

Are you ready for this?

BEFORE: Original floorplan had the ground floor cut up into series of small separate spaces. Two walls were removed to create an open kitchen/dining room.

BEFORE: Dining room was a separate room cut off from the kitchen and only somewhat visible from the living room.

BEFORE: Original living room was drab, dated and tired.

BEFORE: Ground floor bathroom was small, awkwardly laid out and had a sunken bathtub. Layout was completely reorganized to turn this into a spacious powder room.

BEFORE: Master bedroom was too large. Part of the space was reclaimed towards the ensuite and the walk in closet. Elevated tub area in the new layout takes advantage of the spacious nook, filling it perfectly.

BEFORE: Dated master ensuite had no storage but more than enough questionable design choices.

BEFORE: Hard to believe but this is the location of the future wine cellar.

BEFORE: Dated basement was uninspiring and lacking in ambiance.

BEFORE & AFTER: MARBLE & TERRAZZO ENSUITE

Millwork, finishes and fixtures: Astro Design Centre

Interior designer: Marina Medina

A tired and dated master bathroom finally gets a new life through a complete renovation! A giant bulky tub (never used!) and a tiny dark corner shower that the homeowners have been putting up with for years are removed giving way to a spacious and elegant master ensuite with an amplitude of thoughtfully designed storage space.

Shower fixtures: Alt by Aquabrass in Electro Black. Linear drain: Easy Drain. Wall tile: 12” x 36” marble-printed porcelain tile, vertical stack installation. Floor tile: Terrazzo-print tile, 24” x 24”. Toilet: Crosswater. Cabinet hardware: Top Knobs. Robe Hood: Kartners.

I guided the homeowners to reclaim the space in the areas needed most - luxuriously spacious shower, large vanity with expansive counter surface and plenty of drawer storage and a full tall cabinet with a combination of closed and open shelving.

This spa-like bathroom is as beautiful as it is functional. Light and airy combination of finishes is complemented with warm textured millwork, a terrazzo flooring (which has seen a huge comeback and is a currently a beloved staple in the design world!). The lighting, shower fixtures, faucets and accessories are accents in matte black, providing a sharp contrast and resulting in a beautifully balanced space.

Millwork: Miralis custom millwork, supplied and installed via Astro Design Centre. Countertop: Caesarstone 4001 Fresh Concrete. Faucet: Alt by Aquabrass in Electro Black. Light: Matteo Lighting.

Black framed shower partition has strong visual impact and creates an interesting focal point.

DESIGN FOR A GOOD CAUSE

This year, I feel fortunate to have taken part in a design project aimed at giving back and bettering our community. In spring of 2017, Astro Design Centre celebrated it's 20 year anniversary. When the opportunity to donate a new kitchen to the Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre came about, Astro simply couldn’t pass it up. A team of designers (myself included) set out to renovate the hospital’s existing tired and dated Occupational Therapy kitchen, where the patients come to develop life skills, as well as social and vocational skills.

New kitchen offers a lot of storage, doubles of all appliances and a generously sized island with plenty of counter surface to facilitate usage of the kitchen by large groups.

A variety of textures, colors and materials were thoughtfully selected to create an uplifting and visually interesting space.

Large hood spans over both cooktops located back to back on the island. Hood vent and the painted wood canopy that surrounds it also creates an interesting focal point and breaks up the institutional feeling of the commercial grid ceiling.

We truly had such a great time working on this project with the Royal Ottawa and feel proud to have contributed to such a deserving cause. 

Workstation sink with double taps will allow for multiple people to work at the sink at the same time, thus maximizing efficiency and comfort of the end user.

It was our hope that this bright and fun kitchen can become an uplifting and inspiring place for patients to gather, cook, interact and heal for years to come.

BEFORE: Existing kitchen was drab and lifeless. Lack of counter surface was ill-suited for a kitchen intented to be used by large groups.

Full Story Featured in The Ottawa Citizen & All Things Home