Hannotte

I wanted to share some shots of a space I recently completed. My client has a sharp aesthetic, but was hesitant to pull the trigger, so she called me in to narrow the field and guide the process. We worked with many of her existing pieces, and built a foundation for her to slowly build her own narrative with objects from her globe trotting. We replaced all the light fixtures, and added two new Tolomeo lights above her Montauk sofa. We brought in a new side chair and vintage drum, hung soft linen drapes and chose some of her favorite art to dress the walls, which I painted in BM Cloud White.

Before:

After:

In the dining room, we kept her existing table, but switched out the four chairs for another set she had hanging out in various corners of her home. Two vintage Eaton’s arm chairs were added, and all set in front of the leaning mirror from Restoration Hardware. We hung a Moooi Random Light and added storage with two IKEA PS locker units side-by-side. With so many wood tones in the room, we wanted to avoid adding more with the credenza, so we went with this cream-coloured metal.

Before:

After:

The kitchen saw a complete transformation. We had the existing cabinets sprayed out in BM Cloud White and went to a simple knob for the uppers and a vintage-inspired pull for the lowers. We reconfigured the island by adding another bank of drawers to the far end; a narrow set of lower cabinets were added between the door and window for extra storage as well. She loves cook books and wanted to make sure they were all on display. A bookshelf faces the side of the island, and open shelves were added to the far wall.

We replaced all the countertops. Marble for the island, and butcher block for the rest. A new apron front sink and faucet from IKEA totally changed the feel of the kitchen. Two pretty vintage-inspired pendants add some bling.

Before:

Upstairs, we replaced the hall light fixture.

Sup, guys. So, where was I? I’ve been in the new house for five months already. It’s hands-down my favorite place I have ever lived. From my office I get to laugh at the sad suckers trying to get on the Gardiner from the Lakeshore at 5pm, and just past that - the lake. I have such a rare thing for a home in a dense city - a long view. Suits my Saskatchewanianism well.

Besides that, and besides the whirlpool tub, and the income suite, and the roof-top, and walk-in-closet and master balcony - besides all that - I love the layout. It’s a center-hall plan with living room to the left and kitchen/dining to the right of the staircase. Upstairs, two bedrooms on the left, the bathroom and master bedroom on the right. My office spans the back of the house with windows on three sides. 

The interior was completely renovated about 5 years ago. It’s kind of an UMBRA nightmare, with dark hardwood floors that my furniture isn’t used to sitting on, bad paint, and a really, really horrific kitchen. I mean, like, in my opinion. I’ve instagrammed some shots of the updating I’m doing there - had the cabinets all sprayed out in Farrow and Ball’s Downpipe (mmmmmmmm), new hardware…but the backsplash and the countertop still haven’t had their make-over so we’ll save that for another day.

For now I wanna share some “shots” of the kitchen - without showing the kitchen. It’s one big open room. I have room for my big chunky table right in the middle, and a total bachelor chill zone in the front. It’s most of my same furniture, just re-mixed. And re-mixed. And re-mixed. 

I want to paint the floors white. Convince me otherwise.

(and this is why designers should always hire photographers)

The ol’ homestead is on the market. I’ve bought and moved and i have lots and lots to share, but for now, here are a couple of pictures from the listing as an homage that show some final things I managed to get done. I’m sad, guys. But onwards and upwards…right!?

The Listing Is here For Your Buying Pleasure

My bedroom is finished, photographed and made its debut on the Marion House Book yesterday! 

Man, that’s a bad title. Too bad. It’s about 45c in my house and my brain is all…”naaah…”

The point here is, I have the best home daycare situation for my kids on earth. For real. Stephanie is one-in-a-milli and I’m so glad to have found her. Not only is she amazing, so is her home. She has 4 kids running amok daily but her space totally works with them, not against, while maintaining a completely charming integrity. I really should photograph the rest of her space, it’s basically the perfect rustic farmhouse.

What I want to show today is the bathroom that is original to the home, and highlight a couple of Stephanie’s bright ideas. Check out the metal basket hanging off the towel bar to hold face cloths, the gorgeous stool the kids use to climb up to the sink (I have no excuse for my plastic IKEA guy), and the gorgeous little plants and art that pretty much makes me want to see if I can get in on this daycare situation myself so I can hang out in her bathroom all day. And check out the sconce! It reminds me of my favorite little object I have in my own bathroom (last img).