519-365-6280     info@clhomedesign.com HOUZZPINTERESTINSTAGRAMFACEBOOK

 

Here I share the projects that I am currently working on, or that have been newly released to the wild...or for permit, but saying I released them to the wild is much more fun.

Adding Warmth to a Contemporary Facade

When using tones of white, black and grey on a home, it can start to look cold. Adding wood to the mix adds warm hues to soften the cooler tones, adding depth and visual interest.

Wood possesses a natural beauty that is hard to replicate with other materials. The unique grain patterns, knots, and variations in color and texture create a sense of authenticity and charm. The warmth of wood tones adds an organic and inviting feel to the overall aesthetic of the house.

Wood tones can give a house facade a classic and traditional look that transcends passing trends. This timeless quality adds a sense of permanence and stability to the overall design, creating an inviting and comforting aesthetic. The earthy tones create a harmonious blend with the natural surroundings, providing a seamless transition from the outdoors to the interior of the house.

If you’re looking for a home that feels inviting, connected to nature, and evokes a sense of comfort, look to incorporate wood tones into your facade.

An Uncommon Benefit of Separate Closets

Besides the obvious benefit of separate closets giving separation between a messy person and a clean person, there is one little used benefit:

Separate closets provide an opportunity for you to customize and design your storage space to reflect your personal style and taste. From selecting the materials, finishes, and hardware to incorporating decorative elements like mirrors and lighting, you have the freedom to create a closet that complements your bedroom’s overall aesthetic.

This means that if one person likes to have a bright and airy closet, they can use white cabinets, lots of lighting, and glass front doors; and if the other person wants a closet worthy of James Bond, it can be dressed up with rich wood colours and moody, dark-painted ceilings.

Which one would you choose?

Material Juxtaposition

Juxtaposition: the fact of two things being seen places close together with contrasting effect.

When different materials are juxtaposed on a home’s exterior, they create a visual contrast that draws attention. This contrast can be in terms of color or texture, but the interplay between contrasting elements adds visual interest and can make a design stand out.

In the case of the home below, the contrast is in the texture of the two materials: stone and stucco. Juxtaposing materials can help achieve a sense of balance and add depth and tactile interest to a design as well as create a dynamic visual experience that adds richness to the overall composition.

It’s important to note that the successful juxtaposition of materials requires careful consideration of the architectural style and the overall design intent to create an exterior that is contrasting and cohesive at the same time.

See Your Home in 3D

Did you know that you don’t need to have your blueprints drawn by us to get a rendering of your home from us?

Bring us your dimensioned plans to get a 3D colour rendering so you can see your home in colour!

Pantry to keep your Sanity

Raise your hand if you love a kitchen neat, tidy, and free from clutter? Is your hand raised? Of course it is, who says they like a messy kitchen?

A walk in pantry is going to be your best friend.

When designing a house, make sure your pantry is large enough to have counter space. Boom, you just moved all your everyday counter top appliances into the pantry and out of the main kitchen.

In the cabinets below the counter, store all the once-and-a-while small appliances and the extra large pots that only get used when making a party-sized amount of chili. Now your main cabinets aren’t looking cluttered with layers of kitchen tools.

What about the extra large pack of paper towels? Easy, put it in the pantry.

All the shelving above the lower cabinets will be your food storage, making everything you have easily visible. No more food waste.

Add a window for natural lighting and you’ve completed what will be one of the favourite rooms in your house.

Enjoy!

Modern Farmhouse Exterior

What makes a home modern farmhouse?

A modern farmhouse exterior typically features a combination of traditional and contemporary elements. Here are some features that are commonly found on modern farmhouse exteriors:

  1. White or neutral-colored siding or stucco
  2. Metal roof or shingles in a neutral color like gray or black
  3. Board and batten siding or shiplap siding
  4. Large front porch with wood or metal accents
  5. Simple, yet bold exterior trim and moldings
  6. Industrial or rustic light fixtures, often with black or bronze finishes
  7. Black or dark-colored window frames
  8. Natural wood or faux wood garage doors
  9. A mix of materials such as brick, stone, or wood accents
  10. Large windows to allow for plenty of natural light.

Overall, a modern farmhouse exterior is designed to be simple and elegant while still paying homage to traditional farmhouse design elements.

Exterior Material Options

It’s interesting how changing one material on your home’s exterior can completely change the look of your home.

Sometimes you want to lean more into a traditional look to make your home feel timeless, and sometimes you want to lean into the modern look to make your home feel forward-thinking.

Take this house for example:

Simply by changing the material in one peak, you can see how the home shifts from a traditional feel to a transitional home.

To Sink or Not to Sink

That is the question. Do you put a sink in your kitchen island, or keep it clear?

An island without a sink would give you:

  1. More workspace: A clear kitchen island provides more counter space for meal preparation, baking, or even entertaining. This extra workspace can be especially useful for those who love to cook or have large families.
  2. More multi-functional: A large kitchen island can serve many purposes beyond just food preparation. It can also be used as a place to eat, do homework, or work on a project.
  3. More storage space: The space that would be used by a sink can now become extra storage space for cookware, utensils, and other kitchen items.

Shake Siding to get a Cottage Feel

Shake siding can be an excellent addition to amp up the cottage feel to your home because it can add to the home’s natural, rustic look and feel. Cottage homes typically feature a cozy, charming aesthetic that emphasizes the use of natural materials, such as wood and stone, and shake siding can be a perfect complement to this style.

Cottage Retreat

Cottages often feature unique architectural details like exposed beams, stone fireplaces, and rustic finishes that can give them a charming and cozy feel.

They are often surrounded by beautiful scenery and natural landscapes, such as forests, lakes, and mountains, making large windows extra necessary to take it all in.

Many cottages are smaller than typical homes, which can encourage a simpler, more minimalistic lifestyle which can be very appealing to those seeking a break from the stresses of modern living.