Design trends: Lightening the mood
Article content
But this walkout bungalow did. Located in Lakefield, Ont., in the Kawarthas, the 1970s-built 3,200-square-foot home featured a surplus of that old cottage staple, glossy pine, as well as a mishmash of outdated furnishings, making it feel stodgy.
Article content
But the most pronounced problem was the sunken foyer. Its flooring transition was a tripping hazard, with or without a few glasses of wine. On the positive side, the dwelling was structurally sound, requiring only an overhaul to the shell.
Article content
Article content
For that, the pair of empty nesters who live here with their dog and cat turned to Sonja Sanderson. The designer and creative director of Birchview Design had already successfully revamped the husband's offsite office, so they trusted her work.
Article content
'The homeowners plan to age in place and they wanted a no-fuss makeover,' says Sanderson. 'They had gone through renovations that weren't as smoothly run,' but Sanderson offered support from drawing to finishes. 'The focus was the kitchen and dining area, foyer and great room, laundry and multiple bathrooms and bedrooms,' she says.
Article content
While the husband's office is urbane with dramatic dark walls, the palette plan for the couple's home was quite opposite: clay, grey, creamy whites and tan tones cascade throughout the rooms, establishing a soothing quietude.
Article content
For punchy contrast and texture, there are measured doses of wood in the decorative ceiling beams, a fireplace mantel, light-toned stone walls and furniture pieces — of note is the armoire in the ensuite bathroom that is both charming and unexpected. The result is 'a modern classic,' in Sanderson's estimation: 'It's rich in sophistication, yet approachable and relaxed.'
Article content
Article content
Article content
And there's always a reminder of nature, she notes. Step into the kitchen and the lake is framed by large windows off the dining area, where ospreys display their diving skills.
Article content
While the previous dining room had the same view, it felt darker because of a pine ceiling and drab cherry-wood floors. To lighten everything up, Sanderson replaced the floors throughout with white oak, and installed wooden ceiling beams in the dining room.
Article content
Article content
'We also custom designed an eight-person wood dining table with a soft rounded base that offset more of the square features of the room and complemented it with a chandelier that features an organic curvature and texture,' says Sanderson.
Article content
Article content
The kitchen, with millwork by Francis Duquette from Duquette Custom Woodworking, also has softness. Gone is the wonky peninsula. Its replacement is a mix of shaker cabinets and blingy brass; on one end of the kitchen an appliance garage hides the coffee maker and barista's tools.
Article content
'We also love the waterfall stone countertops that not only house the seating area, but also incorporate an amazing amount of hidden storage,' says Sanderson, referring to an inset wine fridge.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
National Post
13 hours ago
- National Post
Design trends: Lightening the mood
Just because you live lakeside in cottage country doesn't mean you have to conjure Paul Bunyan. Article content But this walkout bungalow did. Located in Lakefield, Ont., in the Kawarthas, the 1970s-built 3,200-square-foot home featured a surplus of that old cottage staple, glossy pine, as well as a mishmash of outdated furnishings, making it feel stodgy. Article content But the most pronounced problem was the sunken foyer. Its flooring transition was a tripping hazard, with or without a few glasses of wine. On the positive side, the dwelling was structurally sound, requiring only an overhaul to the shell. Article content Article content For that, the pair of empty nesters who live here with their dog and cat turned to Sonja Sanderson. The designer and creative director of Birchview Design had already successfully revamped the husband's offsite office, so they trusted her work. Article content 'The homeowners plan to age in place and they wanted a no-fuss makeover,' says Sanderson. 'They had gone through renovations that weren't as smoothly run,' but Sanderson offered support from drawing to finishes. 'The focus was the kitchen and dining area, foyer and great room, laundry and multiple bathrooms and bedrooms,' she says. Article content While the husband's office is urbane with dramatic dark walls, the palette plan for the couple's home was quite opposite: clay, grey, creamy whites and tan tones cascade throughout the rooms, establishing a soothing quietude. Article content For punchy contrast and texture, there are measured doses of wood in the decorative ceiling beams, a fireplace mantel, light-toned stone walls and furniture pieces — of note is the armoire in the ensuite bathroom that is both charming and unexpected. The result is 'a modern classic,' in Sanderson's estimation: 'It's rich in sophistication, yet approachable and relaxed.' Article content Article content Article content And there's always a reminder of nature, she notes. Step into the kitchen and the lake is framed by large windows off the dining area, where ospreys display their diving skills. Article content While the previous dining room had the same view, it felt darker because of a pine ceiling and drab cherry-wood floors. To lighten everything up, Sanderson replaced the floors throughout with white oak, and installed wooden ceiling beams in the dining room. Article content Article content 'We also custom designed an eight-person wood dining table with a soft rounded base that offset more of the square features of the room and complemented it with a chandelier that features an organic curvature and texture,' says Sanderson. Article content Article content The kitchen, with millwork by Francis Duquette from Duquette Custom Woodworking, also has softness. Gone is the wonky peninsula. Its replacement is a mix of shaker cabinets and blingy brass; on one end of the kitchen an appliance garage hides the coffee maker and barista's tools. Article content 'We also love the waterfall stone countertops that not only house the seating area, but also incorporate an amazing amount of hidden storage,' says Sanderson, referring to an inset wine fridge.
CBC
a day ago
- CBC
Cote First Nation rug maker says craft is hard on the hands, but a balm for mental health
By day Chastity Shingoose McNab runs a drywall and taping business called Extreme Trappers Taping, but by night she creates unique customized rugs for a growing Indigenous clientele. "The main thing for me is when people have a smile on their face when they see my rugs or how happy they feel when I deliver a rug," said Shingoose McNab, who is based in Edmonton. While she currently lives and works in Edmonton, Shingoose McNab is from Cote First Nation in Saskatchewan, about 880 kilometres east of Edmonton and 230 kilometres northeast of Regina. Two years ago, she sought a hobby to support her mental well-being and discovered the art of rug making. Since then, she has created over 20 rugs, all with different shapes, designs, complexities and colours thanks to learning from tutorials on YouTube and TikTok. She makes her rugs by tufting — a craft where yarn is pulled through a base by hand or machine to create different patterns and designs. Though she was interested in rug making for a while, she didn't pursue it until her partner encouraged her. "It actually wasn't supposed to be like a business. Like, it was only supposed to be a hobby like to help myself and my mental health," she said. Hobby helps mental well-being As an adult, Shingoose McNab said she has dealt with anxiety, so she was looking for an activity to keep her mind occupied from over thinking. "I was really in a really big rut and I was like, 'I just need to do something,'" she said. But tufting turned into something much bigger than she expected, she added. Once she bought the materials and tools needed, she took off. Shingoose McNab said each rug takes 50 hours or more to create, and she puts a lot of hard work into each rug. "It's a lot on your back and with the gun always moving and shaking, it moves like a tattoo gun," she said. "I've worked so hard to where I got bruising on my knuckles because of how my hands were moving on the cloth for so many hours…so it is pretty tough." Her first rug was for her partner's eyelash business. "When I first started, like, I was so nervous and nothing was going right. Everything was going wrong," she said. Her partner told her to take her time, and go smudge with her then try again after that. That's exactly what she did, and it worked. When it was finished, it was shared online on social media which got attention from people and organizations. Commissions pour in Over the years Shingoose McNab has seen commissions for her work come in from First Nations communities, businesses and people from social media. Cote First Nation Chief George Cote had a rug created for his office with the nation's emblem on it. "It's a beautiful rug," he said. "I have it hanging in my wall in my office." He said when people come into his office they have nothing but nice things to say, and he's proud to tell them it was made by a community member. "She really loves her work, and she puts a lot into it," he said. He said all First Nations entrepreneurs across Canada need to keep honing their craft and showcasing their skills. "It's a tough market out there, and a lot of companies are piggybacking on First Nation opportunities. I'd rather see our own First Nations people being recognized and supported in all the work they do, because it means a lot more," he said. "Don't give up, just keep working hard. The more marketing they do, the more successful they will be." Shingoose said she wants to start teaching youth to help them channel their mental health struggles into something positive. "Life can get hard, but you know there's always better days ahead," she said.
National Post
a day ago
- National Post
5 back-to-school bags we love for fall 2025
Article content Reviews and recommendations are unbiased and products are independently selected. Postmedia may earn an affiliate commission from purchases made through links on this page. Article content Whether you are dreading or rejoicing at the thought of back to school, the fact of the matter is, it's just around the corner. Article content Article content Among all the assorted gadgets, gizmos and gear that are required for the return-to-school time, a reliable bag is pretty near the top of the list. To help you grab a good one, we've rounded up five of our favourite back-to-school bags (most sourced from Canadian brands!), from simple backpacks to chic leather finds. Article content A colourful backpack like this Roots Junior style can put some fun into back-to-school. Made from recycled fibres, the bag is lightweight yet durable. It features two zippered compartments for storage and organization and it can fit up to a 15.6-inch laptop. Bonus points for the fact that this Canadian-designed backpack also features a 'rain flap' to help keep school goods dry, you know, for when the weather inevitably turns grey. Article content Don't let the name of this back-to-school bundle from the Montreal-based brand Lambert fool you into thinking this minimalist tote is only good for holding lunch. The zipper-top Hollie style is roomy enough to carry far more than just that soggy sandwich. Plus, we love the added organization of the Brooke pencil case to keep all your writing tools (or chargers?) in one easy place. The two practical pieces are made from a recycled polyester blend for a sustainable spin. Article content Article content Billed as a 'College Starter Pack' by the brand, this school-ready bundle from Coach is sure to send your university-bound student off in style. After all, few things feel as grown up as a chic wallet that matches your handbag (if you know, you know). Available in a variety of colours, including a classic black, white and dark brown, the set includes a Maggie Tote Bag, which can be worn in hand or on the shoulder, as well as a Snap Wallet. Both pieces are crafted from a sturdy pebbled leather, so they will last. Article content This limited-edition backpack from the Vancouver-headquartered brand Herschel Supply Co. nixes the need to ever ask, 'Did you remember your …?' again. The transparent backpack style allows you to check (and recheck) that your favourite student has all their daily essentials on board. True to the company's functional design approach, the see-through multi-compartment bag even comes with a water bottle pocket. Article content Monos Expandable Carry On Article content While a suitcase might not immediately come to mind when thinking about back-to-school bags, there are sure to be some students whose return to school requires the packing of more than just the day-to-day needs. Enter this roller suitcase from the Vancouver-based brand Monos. The Expandable Carry-On suits several travel needs in one. It can be left unexpanded for carry-on allowance during a quick weekend away, or it can be expanded, adding more than an inch and a half to its capacity, for longer trips home. Article content
