A Before & After: the Harris home goes from drab to FAB! And a share-to-win contest.
Greg & Karrie Harris knew their home needed a change. “Our biggest challenge was the darkness. The walls were dark, the furniture was dark and there just wasn’t enough light,” Karrie explained. “Honestly, it was kind of depressing. We wanted to change things but just didn’t know where to start.”
As is the case with many of our clients, the personality and good cheer of the family doesn’t match their dark, oppressive interiors. As I walked through Greg and Karrie’s home the only pops of colour I could spot were the framed artwork from their children (Mya, 15, Joshua, 14, and Heath, 7). They knew they wanted to change their space but didn’t know how.
“We’ll use Heath’s artwork as our spring board,” I announced. What follows is their transformation.
BEFORE:
Dark, heavy, and traditional describe just about every piece of furniture they had. Oddly enough, they had placed their dining room into the living room space, and had their living room furniture in the dining room! When I asked them why, they laughed saying, ‘We have no idea!”
The piano is in constant use but the dark wood weighed the room down.
This room would be ordinarily used as a dining room, but it was filled with more large dark pieces of heavy furniture, and a dated light.
Up next, the kitchen: a variety of woods and lacklustre paint colours made the kitchen feel cramped, cluttered and dark.
The eating area of the kitchen also housed large pieces of dark furniture and the open rail made for an awkward visual into yet another dark family room with more dark colours. The paint colour made the space feel cramped. For a space in which the family spends a lot of their time, the family room felt a bit overlooked.
Below, the entryway needed to feel a bit more welcoming.
Here are a few examples of Heath’s artwork that helped to inform the design. Thanks Heath!
THE TEAM:
Greg and Karrie hired the great team Peace of Mind Management as their contractors along with Jason and Joe from Leading Edge Electrical to take care of all the electrical updates!
Peace of Mind Management, above.
AFTER:
(thank you to Kelly Lawson for her attention to detail in these photos.)
The entryway is welcoming and fun with pineapple wallpaper, colourful accents, and children’s artwork. Indoor outdoor rug by Chilewich and cushion by Pony Rider from TUCK STUDIO.
The black and white theme continues into the living room with a sharp striped feature wall. We painted out the french doors and added new hardware.
Beautiful furniture by Gus* Modern makes the living room cozy and modern. Coffee table, cushions, and Gus* Modern Jane Bisectional and Carmichael Chair (Citrine) from TUCK STUDIO.
Painting the family piano white made a world of difference. It exudes elegance against the graphic wall and no longer weighs the room down. Thank you to Legacy Painters for painting out the wall so perfectly.
Looking into the dining we see another pop of colour complemented by exciting wallpaper! Lighting, dining table and chairs from TUCK STUDIO. Japanese fish wallpaper is a nod to Greg’s love of fishing. Cushions on sofa (Feathers of Confederation – NProduct)
An installation of picture rails on the wall creates visual interest and creates space for important family photos. Picture rails by Gus* Modern.
“I caught that salmon when I was 12 or 13 in the Mispec River,” said Greg.
“It has been in my office for years and has been a great conversation piece glad to have it in house. I even think it is growing on Karrie,” says Greg.
The kitchen now feels open and airy with a few punches of red for good measure. Lighting table and chairs from TUCK STUDIO.
We painted out the cabinetry taking it from drab brown to Oxford White (Ben Moore cc-30), added new hardware and new hexagon tile from Home Depot. There’s also a new central island with butcher block from Brent Rourke.
The open rail has been covered up with drywall and a banquette seat. The colours in the childrens’ paintings are complemented by the bright chairs and fun lighting (lighting and chairs from TUCK STUDIO). The family room in behind sports a new build in book shelf (to be revealed in another post!)
We asked Karrie what her thoughts were on the transformation and what is the best part they love about the house now?
“It’s hard to pick the best part. We love it all so much! I think Greg and I agree that the brightness is the part we love the most. The white walls instantly changed the whole feel of the house and the splashes of color in every room make it fun!,” says Karrie. “Everyone loves it! Friends and neighbors are wowed by the transformation. They love the wallpaper and bright colors. People seem to be inspired to transform their homes after visiting ours.”
“The kids love it too! Our youngest Heath says, ‘I just love our house so much now.’ I was surprised that he reacted so strongly since he is only 6. Mya and Josh love that it is ‘brighter, nicer and just way cooler.’ They appreciate having their artwork on display as well. This is something we will continue to do as they get older.”
Share this post for your chance to win a beautiful Laser-Cut Clock from TUCK STUDIO!
Share this post via Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram for a chance to win a beautiful wooden laser-cut clock from TUCK STUDIO! We will be drawing a name August 4th at noon!
Contractors: Peace of Mind Management
Electrical: Leading Edge Electrical
Design: Judith Mackin, Punch Inside
Wallpaper / Black and white striped wall in living room: Legacy Painters.
We thank Kelly Lawson for her keen eye for detail in these interior shots. Please scroll through the full album:
