When my client Tammie heard I was developing a new website, she sent me a beautiful testimonial in which she expressed her thoughts on our time working together. It was a nice surprise to read her kind words as I fondly recalled receiving her initial inquiry. I could tell she was hesitant, not sure if she deserved to hire someone and wasn’t certain her project was designer worthy. But what really grabbed my attention was that she realized her home wasn’t making her feel good. It wasn’t serving her, or her two year old son, the way it should. For this reason, I knew she was the perfect client.
I decided to share her story, her words, and most importantly, her pictures, as she is a true believer in good design. Tammie knows first hand that design affects behaviour as she has experienced the power of a well designed home.
Over 10 years ago, I discovered Karen online and decided to hire an interior designer, initially thinking it was a luxury. Since then, Karen worked on my next two homes, a rental, and several homes for my friends and family. I have come to consider Karen’s support as essential, no longer a luxury, when truly settling into a space.
Busy with a demanding career, as well as being the mom of an active two year old, Tammie needed a place to unwind at the end of the day. We prioritized her bedroom and made it a relaxing sanctuary. Soothing greens combined with warm whites were the colours that Tammie was instantly drawn to. I wanted it to be both calm and interesting, and selected fabrics and textures to achieve this end.
Tammie’s bedroom was large enough to fit a king size bed and still carve out space for a Canadian made custom Gresham House chair and a half. With her son’s bedroom being right across the hall, we decided a chair and a half would be the perfect place for stories and cuddles. Selecting a super soft washable fabric took away worries in case of accidental spills. In order to keep on budget we did a mix of both high and low pieces. One area we did splurge on was custom draperies. The elegance custom draperies bring to a room, not to mention light control and privacy, is why the splurge is worth it. Having a bedroom sanctuary to retreat to at the end of the day is a luxury that Tammie deserved.
What sets Karen apart is her focus on how we live in our homes. She has a remarkable ability to incorporate beautiful, practical solutions that support our daily routines. Karen takes the time to understand how we use our space, what brings us joy, and integrates those details into a design enhancing beauty and functionality.
When it was time to work on the main living areas, Tammie and I delved deep into her daily routines and discussed how she used her space at this phase of her life. Since the kitchen, eating area and living room were connected, she knew she wanted it to be a place where her son could hang out as she made meals, as well as a place for the adults to enjoy. A vintage round dining table was selected for the eating area to allow better flow and foster conversation. Upholstered dining chairs were chosen for comfort as this bright sunny space is not just for dining, but is a great spot for computer work, board games and morning coffee.
Custom draperies add elegance to the living room portion of this open concept space, and bring that adult vibe that Tammie requested. A cozy sectional sits across from the window wall with a leather chair and fireplace rounding out the conversation circle. We added floor cushions and purposely kept the middle of the room open with no coffee table so her son would have plenty of space to play. Storing the toys in the adjacent television room means that this space can be cleaned up and quickly turned into an adult space. Addressing function first allowed Tammie to have a space that worked for both her and her son.
Karen has designed stunning built-ins that have added both versatility and function. She also helps prioritize items worth investing in, while helping source the affordable solutions that still deliver the desired effect. Karen never tries to upsell her clients on extra services or a larger budget. When my friends or I have invested in larger renovations, her careful design and attention to detail have increased the value of the investment in ways we never could have anticipated.
Located just off the kitchen and main living area, this flex room offered so many possibilities. Office, bedroom, library … the options were exciting. As Tammie and I discussed her daily routines, we decided that for the next few years a play place for her son, as well as a television watching area would be most appreciated. A custom leather sofa divides the room in half, creating both a play area and a cozy tv watching space. Her son’s toys and train table are both accessible and nicely hidden behind the burnt orange sofa.
Tammie thought that in years to come this room might make a lovely office/homework space, or perhaps even a large bedroom. For that reason, when designing the custom built-ins I had the two sets of lower cabinets made on castors so they could be pulled out. With the television removed, it turns into a desk! The cabinets are also set up to hold files or could be used as a bedroom chest of drawers. The luxury of custom millwork is that pieces can be designed exactly as needed and often I try for a multi purpose design.
There are times when an area doesn’t need higher end custom millwork. If the budget is there, then of course it’s the way to go. But if one is trying to stretch a budget there are ways to make spaces function better without going all in. Take for instance the little office/craft area in a alcove on the second floor. This sweet space receives beautiful light and is a sunny and cheery place to work. It also offers the perfect spot to store books and scrapbooking albums. Look carefully and you’ll see the shelving and desk are all Ikea. There’s a time and place for everything!
Ditto the basement garage entry. This entry is used mostly in the wintertime, so we decided to make this very tiny space as functional as possible on almost no budget. It does the trick for now and the lamp and console table make for a welcoming vignette. I’m big on phasing design projects, but in the meantime, making every space as functional and pretty as possible. No one should live in ugly.
I consider myself incredibly fortunate to have found Karen online all those years ago and I count her as a dear friend. Given the fact that I won’t move into a home without engaging Karen’s help and the rave reviews from my friends and family who have also worked with her, it’s clear that Karen stands out. She consistently provides exceptional service and a clear vision that exceeds expectations.
Tammie has indeed become a dear friend, along with her cousins and her many friends who I have had the pleasure of working with. I consider it an honour to be invited into someone’s home and appreciate the trust, and yes, the vulnerability it often takes to engage a designer. But as Tammie explains, this support isn’t a luxury, but an important part in creating a home that makes life better.
