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Now, I’ll be the first to admit that I can be quite opinionated when it comes to interior design. I mean, if Malcolm Gladwell’s 10,000 hour rule holds any truth, I definitely feel confident in my abilities as I’m convinced I spend the vast majority of my days thinking, talking, or writing about design in some capacity. It is, really and truly, my passion through and through. And with thirteen plus years of regular practice under my belt, there are two interior design related things I know to hold true. One: attention to detail is paramount. And two: your team can make or break a renovation project. 

This isn’t the first time I’ve chatted about “attention to detail”, but I’ve never really discussed the importance of finding your people in much depth. When it came to my mom’s kitchen renovation, which was under construction during my third trimester of pregnancy (ie: not exactly ideal), I’ve never before needed to lean on my team quite as heavily. And I know for certainty that it would not have fully come together without them (if you’re reading this, you know who you are and I love you for it!) 

This rings especially true when it came to our custom window treatments. I’ve mentioned before that they’re the one thing I always insist my clients invest in (you can read about why here), and I still stand firmly by that post today. For this project we worked closely with Decorview, and the experience was truly flawless from beginning to end. 

Marisa, our Decorview consultant, was such a gem and took the time to go through my laundry list of inspiration images prior to our first consultation, for which she was impeccably prepared. She brought all of the fabric samples to my mom’s place and she was so thorough, explaining the benefits and the pitfalls of all of the options we were considering. And met us with the utmost patience when we couldn’t decide between two options (we were debating between the Hunter Douglas’ woven shade in “Burlap Sack” and a luxurious linen in “Greige-Brown”).

After a lot of debate, we made a decision (hello linen!), she measured for our roman shades on the spot, and within a few short weeks they were ready to be installed. We were kept in the loop the whole way through, and she followed up regularly, unprompted, ensuring everything was on track and on time. This was such a huge weight off of my shoulders as it was one last thing I needed to worry about during the construction process, which – as anyone who has undergone a renovation can attest –  can often feel like a series of decision making, expectation adjusting, delays, and putting out fires if you don’t have the right team.

Photo: Lo Miller

The installer, John, was equally as lovely, and was in and out in a blink. It was so nice knowing that this one line item that I clearly feel very strongly about was completely handled with little to no involvement on my end, and I absolutely can’t recommend them highly enough. Truly, knowing I was in good hands was invaluable.

I mean, it also doesn’t hurt that they look, and function, beautifully, adding a softness and a layer of pure lovely to a space that’s typically filled with hard surfaces. It’s further proof that custom window treatments are always well worth it. I mean – take a peek at this video below (yes, we opted for the motorization option where the shades are controlled using a remote, which feels extra luxe in the very best way! My mom feels so very fancy, as she should.)

I also feel like it’s important to note that customized shades are essential for unique spaces like bay or corner windows, or in our case my mom’s patio door. 

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If you’re in the US or Canada and you’re considering custom window treatments, I highly encourage you to give them a try. Consultations are free, they can be done in person or virtually, and they’re incredibly helpful. 

Thank you to Decorview for sponsoring this post, and for partnering with us on #LLProjectMomsKitchen!

The post The Two Things That Can Make or Break a Renovation appeared first on Lark & Linen Interior Design and Lifestyle Blog.

{Counters Shown: HanStone Storm}

If you’ve been following along with my mom’s kitchen renovation (hello #LLProjectMomsKitchen!) you may have noticed that we’ve used HanStone Quartz counters to help bring it all to life. They’re an incredible company that I’ve used almost exclusively on my past few projects, so I was pretty pumped when they agreed to partner with me on my mom’s kitchen redesign. As an influencer and interior designer, it’s really important to me to work with companies I really and truly love and feel confident standing behind, and when it comes to specifying quartz counters, these guys most definitely top that list.

{Counters Shown: HanStone Storm}

If you’ve yet to use quartz counters, allow me to introduce you to your new best friend. They’re made from a naturally occurring stone that’s just about as hard as a diamond. Needless to say, they’re insanely durable, non-porous (hello anti-microbial!), scratch resistant, stain resistant, heat resistant, eco-friendly, and easy to maintain (you will never – ever – have to seal them).  Meaning, they can totally stand up to my mother, and those of us who really and truly use our kitchens and don’t want to be too precious as we go.

HanStone Quartz, specifically,  also offers a lifetime warranty, meaning they really and truly stand behind their product*. Best of all? They’re beautiful to boot. And while natural stone is so difficult to replicate, these guys have come as close as I’ve ever seen. I mean, they have some of the best marble and stone dupes on the market as far as I’m concerned. Whether you’re on the hunt for said marble look, or prefer a more modern concrete vibe, this is where form and function collide.

Because no two quartz counters are made the same, I thought it’d be helpful to share some of my very favourites. Following are the best quartz counters out there, both in form and function.

For direct links to each finish (which includes helpful photo examples!):
storm – the one we used | coast | montauk
monterey | yorkville | metropolitan
soho| uptown grey | chantilly

*True story: my very unbiased countertop fabricator recently told me that HanStone is by far his favourite quartz to work with. He told me their quality is absolutely unmatched, and he’s always thrilled when his designers specify them

Thank you to HanStone Quartz for sponsoring this post, and for partnering with us on #LLProjectMomsKitchen!

The post The Quartz Counters to Beat All Quartz Counters appeared first on Lark & Linen Interior Design and Lifestyle Blog.

That rang especially true when it came to selecting her appliances. After a ton of research we reached out to Fisher & Paykel, a stunning luxury appliance brand, and we were beyond thrilled when they agreed to partner with us. I still can’t believe I had the opportunity to work so closely with them, it was truly such an honour, and I thought it’d be fun to share a few more details on why we opted to go the F & P route.

First and foremost, aesthetics are of course of utmost importance to me, and if it isn’t totally obvious, Fisher & Paykel has nailed the pretty (I mean, just take one peek at their Instagram for reference). But even more importantly, their quality is some of the best I’ve found on the market – and I have to admit I’m quite picky on both these fronts. Not only do they perform exceptionally well, but each item that we specified boasts some pretty exciting features that really set them apart from their competitors. It also doesn’t hurt that they look dang good while doing so – and we all know how much I love it when form and function collide *swoon*. Their entire lineup is designed to be fully integrated into your kitchen designs so that everything fits seamlessly, meaning they’re flush with your cabinetry and don’t protrude in any which way, which appeases my designer heart to no end.

Take the range we had installed, for example. We opted for the 36″ dual fuel range and, I mean, it’s moment of silence worthy as far as I’m concerned. I love how it’s legitimately the focal point of the room, commanding your attention the minute you walk in, but in it’s own quietly beautiful way. It’s clean lines paired with it’s more intricate details (hi gold dual ring, I see you!) allow it to work perfectly in a space that’s both modern and traditional, which is no easy feat. But most importantly – it functions like an absolute dream. My mom loves that the five burner gas cooktop gives her a ton of control when whipping up a meal, but the convection oven allows her to plop cookies in the oven knowing full well they’re going to come out baked to absolute perfection each and every time. The halo dials are also designed to be foolproof as they glow red when they’re heating up, and turn white when they’re ready to go. Selfishly, I feel like the nine oven functions, including bread proofing and pizza mode, are going to be fun for us all to play with – I envision even more family meals over the coming years (hint, hint, mom!), and I’m all for it. 

The insert range hood fan is another element where form and function are beautifully combined. With five different speeds (all of which are incredibly quiet, even at their highest capacity), and a multitude of different lighting settings (I’m all about that mood lighting!), it’s a professional-grade piece adapted for the comfort of home. But my favourite part, and I realize full well that my 20-year-old-self would be rolling her eyes at me right now, is that the fan cover can easily be removed in three pieces and you can plunk them in the dishwasher to clean them – no more greasy screens to contend with ever again – hurrah! And if you saw my instagram stories a couple of weeks ago, you may have noticed that the whole thing comes with a remote control, which feels slightly unnecessary but also TOTALLY NECESSARY all at once. I secretly love it.

If there is one appliance, however, that I’m convinced is worth investing in more than any of the others it’s your refrigerator. I mean, I think we’ve all been guilty of tossing more than our fair share of spoiled food over the years, and a lot of that is due to a poorly functioning fridge. The one we had installed, however, has ActiveSmart technology which continuously maintains a constant temperature, ensuring your food stays fresher for significantly longer, and helps seriously reduce food waste (which makes my part-hippie heart happy, I’m not going to lie). It actually pays attention to your daily habits and, for example, will get ready to perform each morning at 7:00 am when it knows that’s when you’re typically in and out of the fridge making breakfast. Legitimately every last aspect has been so well thought out, from the water dispenser that takes up zero internal space, to the easy to clean glass shelves, to the function that beeps at you once your wine bottle is properly chilled (GENIUS!) it’s a bit of a dream through and through. 

Okay, now let’s talk about the Double DishDrawer Dishwasher. In light of full discretion, I have to admit that I was a little skeptical at first. But after conducting my own research, and testing out this bad boy, I’m a convert through and through. Not only are they significantly easier to load and unload with minimal bending and ergonomic design (perfect for the boomers out there – hi mama!), but you can turn on each drawer independently which is honestly an entertaining game changer. And because most days it’s usually just my mom and her boyfriend, they no longer need to run half loads or wait days on end to fill it up before being able to run it. In addition, they take up significantly less space as you don’t have a massive door to contend with, making them equally perfect for galley kitchens, tiny condo kitchens, and everything in between. 

At any rate, if I wasn’t a total appliance nerd before, I absolutely am now. I hope you know by now that I only stand behind products I really and truly believe in. Fisher & Paykel definitely makes that list, and I’m so thrilled that they’re a part of my mom’s beautiful new space. I’d happily stand behind them any day of the week. 

Photos: Lo Miller

The Exact Appliances We Specified:

The 36″ Dual Fuel Range | The French Door Refrigerator Freezer
The Double Dishdrawer Dishwasher | The Combination Microwave Oven 
The Insert Range Hood Fan

For all other kitchen sources (including all finishes, paint colours, fixtures, and the like), as well as the final kitchen reveal
head over here!

Thank you to Fisher & Paykel for sponsoring this post, and for partnering with us on #LLProjectMomsKitchen!

The post My Mom’s Kitchen ::The Appliances:: (Where Form & Function Collide) appeared first on Lark & Linen Interior Design and Lifestyle Blog.

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It’s always bittersweet when a project comes to an end, and this rings especially true on this particular job as it was such a joy to work alongside my mom to bring her kitchen to life. The silver lining for this one, however, is that I will get to selfishly enjoy this space myself for years to come, which isn’t often the case when a client project wraps up. Needless to say, after months of planning and weeks of blogging and instagramming my mom’s kitchen renovation, I’m beyond pumped to share the final reveal!  If you’re just joining us on this “journey”, I highly recommend you check out all of the before photos as well as the before and after floor plans so that you can better orient yourself within the space. Though there are SO many more details in those two posts, I also wanted to share a few before photos here, just so we can really see what we were working with when we first began…

A FEW BEFORE PHOTOS

check them all out here

And alas, here we have it, the final reveal! After over 13 years in the industry it still never ceases to amaze me how drastically you can alter a space with some attention to detail and some thoughtful and intentional touches. If I’m being honest, I still can’t believe the transformation here myself and I’m beyond pleased with the results. At the risk of tooting my own horn, not only does it feel about eight hundred times bigger and significantly more luxurious, but it’s also light years ahead in terms of functionality, and literally exactly what I’ve been envisioning since my mom and I started discussing this project together years ago. This baby has been a long time coming, and I’m thrilled to share it all with you in all of its beautiful (functional!) glory. 

THE AFTER PHOTOS

I hope you love it as much as we’ve enjoyed working on it (and documenting it!). I still have so many posts churning around in my mind that I want to share about this project and the whole process, so I imagine this won’t be the last you’ll see of it. And because this isn’t a “typical” client project, I’m able to share absolutely every painstaking detail from the exact trim we used on our window casings, to every last one of our trade members (all of whom worked so damn hard and so thoughtfully the whole way through), to every last specification from appliance to backsplash, and everything in between. I think I’ve covered just about everything below, but if you have any additional questions please don’t hesitate to ask! 

CHECK OUT THE OTHER POSTS FROM THIS SERIES

The Before Photos & Plans

The Inspiration

The Floor Plan

The Vibe

The Finishes

The Construction Saga

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TRADES:

Photos: Lo Miller | GC & Construction: MaBelle Kitchens 
Custom Cabinetry: Scarlett Park | Custom Drapery: Decorview 
Custom Carpentry (range hood cover, island legs & cafe table): Windsor Workshop

HARD FINISHES: 
Wall Colour: Benjamin Moore – Cloud White
Trim & Ceiling Colour: Benjamin Moore – White Diamond
Cabinet Colour: Benjamin Moore – Revere Pewter
Back Door: Benjamin Moore – Kendall Charcoal
Floor Tile: Ciot, 24″ x 24″ Black Rio Slate, Natural Finish, in a brick layout
Backsplash Tile: Ciot, 3/4″ x 3 3/4″ Calcatta Extra Polished 
Countertops: Hanstone, Riverwashed Finish in Storm 
Kitchen Sink: Blanco, in the Anthracite finish 
Bar Sink: Blanco, in the Anthracite finish

ARCHITECTURAL DETAILS:
Crown Moulding: Metrie | Architrave: Metrie | Shiplap Ceiling: Metrie 
Baseboards: Metrie | Door & Window Casings: Metrie | Closet Door: Metrie

APPLIANCES: 
36″ Dual Fuel Range: Fisher & Paykel | Insert Range Hood Fan: Fisher & Paykel 
French Door Refrigerator Freezer: Fisher & Paykel 
Double DishDrawer Dishwasher: Fisher & Paykel 
Combination Microwave Oven: Fisher & Paykel

LIGHTING & FIXTURES: 
Sink Faucet: Blanco 
Pot Filler: Blanco | Bar Faucet: Blanco 
Cabinet Pull: Emtek | Cabinet Knob: Emtek | Egg Knob: Emtek 
Back Door Hardware: Emtek | Picture Light: Hudson Valley 
Island Pendants: Hudson Valley | Wall Sconce: Hudson Valley 
Pendant Light: Hudson Valley 

FURNITURE & ACCESSORIES: 
Art No. 1: Minted | Art No. 2: Minted | Soap & Lotion Dispenser: McGee & Co. 
Hand Towel: Monika Hibbs Home | Olive Plant: McGee & Co. 
Striped Pillow: Tonic Living | Cream Pillow: Tonic Living 
Soft Blue Pillow: Tonic Living | Striped Lumbar Pillow: Tonic Living  | Runner: Etsy 
Custom Bench Cushion: Tonic Living, in Tate Inside Out Faux Leather in Saddle
Olive Branches: McGee & Co.  | Cookbook: Donna Hay 
Cookbook: The Kinfolk Table | Cookbook: Magnolia Table 
Cookbook: Gather at Home | Most Vases: Homesense | Chair: Wayfair 
Table: Custom, made by Windsor Workshop | Mirror: Renwil
Stools: Restoration Hardware | Vintage Art: Etsy 
Sugar Bowl: Anthropologie | Candle: Vancouver Candle Co.
 Juice Jug: Pottery Barn | Pinch Pots: The Bay | Soap: Aesop

The post My Mom’s Kitchen ::The Reveal:: appeared first on Lark & Linen Interior Design and Lifestyle Blog.