INTERIORS — + Blog — Marina Medina

Location: Lynn Valley, North Vancouver

Date Completed: 2023

Type of Project: Custom Kitchen Renovation

Construction: Barrett Group Custom Builders

*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!*

BEFORE RENOVATION:

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 spa… — 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 wi… — 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.*

“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

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

Are you ready for this?