Saturday

Bedroom windows...

Sometimes the only feature in a boring box shaped Bedroom is the window. I love to use it as a focal point!









Monday

Country Elegance in Tsawwassen...

The one thing I love about tearing down a neglected old abode is the excitement of designing a new home to take it's place. The old memories be it good or bad are wiped clean with a few swift passes of the backhoe blade, and in it's place the opportunity to start new. That was exactly what was done on a hot summer afternoon in beautiful Tsawwassen.

The builders came to me with a set of drawings in the hope that I could help them make their mark. I started with the exterior finishes and colours to inspire me for the interior space.
By choosing to bring the outside in and the inside out it gave the home a warm inviting appeal. The exterior stone was used on the fireplace den and soft greens and creams on the walls were the perfect companion to the darker more eye catching hues outside.

I chose Benjamin Moore's Natural Linen as the main level colour. The space felt open and large thanks to the oversize windows and the vault in the huge custom kitchen.









The Kitchen was the real Heart of this home featuring Solid Maple cabinetry stained with Custom colours-certainly not your everyday builders special!


The cabinetry throughout the rest of the home was also solid maple, but what really sets them apart is the interior construction being solid Birch. Ash Hill Cabinetry is one of the best in the business and to date is the only cabinet maker I use. The master vanity was spectacular.
To view the full gallery of this beautiful home please visit http://www.emilyhagermandesign.com/ and click on the gallery link. The home sold after it's first open house -even without staging. By adding the small details where they counted these builders knew how to present their product the best way...hiring a Designer!

Tuesday

Everything Old is New Again...

Growing up in the Chilcotin, British Columbia, I was surrounded by History and thanks to my parents lots of amazing Antiques. It took me until my late twenties to even begin to appreciate them and now I certainly am my father's daughter!
I decided to challenge myself to designing my home with the right balance of Antique pieces with the Contemporary design of my home and really, my style. The past few seasons retailers such as Restoration Hardware and Pottery Barn have introduced pieces "reinterpreted" as they would say, and I love it all! So when it came time to renovate my small family room, not only did walls come down but the Antiques came in!
This stunning Early 1900's Oak Factory Cart was beautifully restored by  
Williams Architectural Salvage. The Lineberry cart features original cast iron fittings and are simply cleaned to bring back their lustre. Even the popular "American Pickers" TV show featured a factory cart very similar and they hold their value incredibly well. What I love most about these carts that Williams Architectural Salvage retains all the original stencilling along the sides that really give it character, saving a small piece of history.
I find this piece extremely versatile, it blends beautifully with my Chocolate Oak Hardwood floors and picks up the golden browns in my fireplace Ledgestone.
The table lamps, Quoizel, also adds a touch of Antiquity that makes this room work and feel so comfortable and inviting.

Usually when it comes to Antiques the thrill of the hunt and discovery is half the fun but when I came across these tables and the quality of the re-finishing I had to have one. If you are interested in one of these amazing pieces I really recommend you to view their Website and contact Jordi for a piece of your own history. http://www.wasalvager.com/