HOME Designer At Home - jennifermcgahaninteriors.com€¦ · HOME Designer At Home ASK THE EXPERT...
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10 ottawaathome.ca FALL 2015 FALL 2015 ottawaathome.ca 11 HOME Designer At Home ASK THE EXPERT Dean Large, interior designer, Astro Design Centre Q How can we update our 1980s-style home with new light fixtures? A The ‘80s may have been the decade that style forgot, but that doesn’t mean we have to jump right to the wrecking ball. A lot of homes built during this period are void of the architectural details found in other design eras; this is a bonus when looking to update, and lighting is a fantastic way to renew the space. The simple backdrop will allow you to pull in statement lighting pieces as they are stand-alone features and can handle a bit of a mix-and-match element. Classic ‘80s architecture will allow for working with large scale and geometric shapes. Geometric lighting is very popular right now and would work really well within your design style. One of the coolest trends at the moment is mixing metallic finishes. If all of the hardware in the house is brass or brushed nickel then contrast it with matte black. This will add a punch of something graphic against the shine of the other fittings. Be wary of other updates that have been made along the way and try to keep lighting selections within your established decorating style. To suddenly mix contemporary fixtures into traditional décor would look chaotic rather than the updated appearance you’re trying to achieve. While the architectural style might be able to handle some changes be mindful of decorating style as well, so that everything is working harmoniously. Contact Dean [email protected] UPGRADE with style BY MARY TAGGART PHOTOGRAPHY BY MARK HOLLERON W ith her trademark clean, classic, modern elegance décor style, designer Jennifer McGahan has taken a basic three-year-old Ashcroft suburban home in Stittsville and created a showpiece for her signature style. BACK STORY When she bought the home two years ago, it had sat on the market with little activity due to the fact that it had no “wow” factor. “It hadn’t been upgraded at all by the homeowner – neither at the time of building, nor in the three following years. It didn’t show well,” says Jennifer who liked the layout and knew it would be easy to enhance. THE WORK Jennifer completely gutted the main floor and installed new hardwood, staircase and railings. She changed the door styles, added trim, put in new kitchen cabinets and lighting, as well as upgrading the ceiling finish. DECORATIVE DETAILS The all-white kitchen is complemented with a brick wall in Carrara marble and white quartz countertops. Pops of silver and glass accents on a display shelf add elegance and intrigue. The open shelving works in conjunction with the Shaker- style cabinets to create the modern-urban vibe that dominates the space. Hints of luxury in the form of lighting have been added in both the kitchen and the dining room. It brings in a bit of glam and suits Jennifer’s look to make her feel right at home in the space she shares with her two sons. UPGRADE SENSE Jennifer believes in the resale benefits of upgrading new construction, and offers up five must-have upgrades that will not only enhance your space but will bring value to your home. RESTFUL ELEGANCE ABOVE: A TULIP TABLE WITH CARRARA MARBLE TOP FROM MYHOME FURNITURE, WITH A KARTELL BOURGIE LAMP IN BLACK. BELOW: CANDICE OLSON TRELLIS WALLPAPER FROM YORK WALLCOVERINGS IS A RESTFUL BACKDROP FOR THE MASTER BED. JENNIFER MCGAHAN’S UPGRADE ADVICE HARDWOOD THROUGHOUT: Minimize flooring change for a seamless, easy-care look. LIGHTING: Upgrade lighting to include one or two “wow” fixtures. TRIM: Baseboards, window casing and trim influence the overall feel of a space. Flat, modern trim is easy to clean without grooves to catch dust. QUARTZ COUNTERTOPS: Less patterned than granite, the durable materials update space with a touch of modern. HARDWARE: Upgraded hardware is a cost-effective way to add a designer touch to your new home. CONTACT: Jennifer McGahan Interiors jennifermcgahaninteriors.com 613-762-2093 MODERN CLASSIC THIS PAGE, CLOCKWISE: THE LARMES 24-LIGHT PENDANT ABOVE THE ISLAND IS BY ET2, ALLMODERN.COM; JENNIFER’S ELEGANT STYLE FITS IN WITH HER DINING ROOM; OPEN SHELVING IN THE KITCHEN BREAKS UP A WALL OF CABINETRY; A MOOSE HEAD FROM Z GALLERIE HANGS ON A CARRARA MARBLE MOSAIC WALL IN THE LIVING ROOM
Transcript of HOME Designer At Home - jennifermcgahaninteriors.com€¦ · HOME Designer At Home ASK THE EXPERT...
10 ottawaathome.ca FALL 2015 FALL 2015 ottawaathome.ca 11
HOME Designer At Home ASK THE EXPERT
Dean Large, interior designer, Astro Design Centre
QHow can we update our 1980s-style home with
new light fixtures?
AThe ‘80s may have been the decade that style forgot, but that
doesn’t mean we have to jump right to the wrecking ball. A lot of homes built during this period are void of the architectural details found in other design eras; this is a bonus when looking to update, and lighting is a fantastic way to renew the space. The simple backdrop will allow you to pull in statement lighting pieces as they are stand-alone features and can handle a bit of a mix-and-match element. Classic ‘80s architecture will allow for working with large scale and geometric shapes. Geometric lighting is very popular right now and would work really well within your design style.
One of the coolest trends at the moment is mixing metallic finishes. If all of the hardware in the house is brass or brushed nickel then contrast it with matte black. This will add a punch of something graphic against the shine of the other fittings.
Be wary of other updates that have been made along the way and try to keep lighting selections within your established decorating style. To suddenly mix contemporary fixtures into traditional décor would look chaotic rather than the updated appearance you’re trying to achieve. While the architectural style might be able to handle some changes be mindful of decorating style as well, so that everything is working harmoniously.
Contact [email protected]
UPGRADEwith styleBY MARY TAGGART
PHOTOGRAPHY BY MARK HOLLERON
With her trademark clean, classic, modern elegance décor style, designer Jennifer McGahan has taken a basic three-year-old Ashcroft suburban home
in Stittsville and created a showpiece for her signature style.
BACK STORYWhen she bought the home two years ago, it had sat on the market with little activity due to the fact that it had no “wow” factor. “It hadn’t been upgraded at all by the homeowner – neither at the time of building, nor in the three following years. It didn’t show well,” says Jennifer who liked the layout and knew it would be easy to enhance.
THE WORKJennifer completely gutted the main floor and installed new hardwood, staircase and railings. She changed the door styles, added trim, put in new kitchen cabinets and lighting, as well as upgrading the ceiling finish.
DECORATIVE DETAILS The all-white kitchen is complemented with a brick wall in Carrara marble and white quartz countertops. Pops of silver and glass accents on a display shelf add elegance and intrigue. The open shelving works in conjunction with the Shaker-style cabinets to create the modern-urban vibe that dominates the space.
Hints of luxury in the form of lighting have been added in both the kitchen and the dining room. It brings in a bit of glam and suits Jennifer’s look to make her feel right at home in the space she shares with her two sons.
UPGRADE SENSEJennifer believes in the resale benefits of upgrading new construction, and offers up five must-have upgrades that will not only enhance your space but will bring value to your home.
RESTFUL ELEGANCE ABOVE: A TULIP TABLE WITH CARRARA MARBLE TOP FROM MYHOME FURNITURE, WITH A KARTELL BOURGIE LAMP IN BLACK. BELOW: CANDICE OLSON TRELLIS WALLPAPER FROM YORK WALLCOVERINGS IS A RESTFUL BACKDROP FOR THE MASTER BED.
JENNIFER MCGAHAN’S UPGRADE ADVICEHARDWOOD THROUGHOUT: Minimize flooring change for a seamless, easy-care look.
LIGHTING: Upgrade lighting to include one or two “wow” fixtures.
TRIM: Baseboards, window casing and trim influence the overall feel of a space. Flat, modern trim is easy to clean without grooves to catch dust.
QUARTZ COUNTERTOPS: Less patterned than granite, the durable materials update space with a touch of modern.
HARDWARE: Upgraded hardware is a cost-effective way to add a designer touch to your new home.
CONTACT: Jennifer McGahan Interiorsjennifermcgahaninteriors.com613-762-2093
MODERN CLASSICTHIS PAGE, CLOCKWISE: THE LARMES 24-LIGHT PENDANT ABOVE THE ISLAND IS BY ET2, ALLMODERN.COM; JENNIFER’S ELEGANT STYLE FITS IN WITH HER DINING ROOM; OPEN SHELVING IN THE KITCHEN BREAKS UP A WALL OF CABINETRY; A MOOSE HEAD FROM Z GALLERIE HANGS ON A CARRARA MARBLE MOSAIC WALL IN THE LIVING ROOM
