Houzz Tour: Traditional with Contemporary Shine
Contrasts, Runway Color and Detail Create a Lottery Home's Winning Look
Hello there! I'm Erika Ward, Owner and Principal Designer of Erika Ward Interiors. It's my greatest pleasure to inspire you to live well, to live in style, and to extinguish the myth that style and budget are mutually exclusive. Read more about my design philosophy and my work at http://www.blulabelbungalow.com
Hello there! I'm Erika Ward, Owner and Principal Designer of Erika Ward... More »
Designing a showhouse is like working for an imaginary client. And not just one, but as many as 40,000 potential clients. That's how many people saw this spectacular showcase, better known as the 2011 Hospital Home Lottery Grand Prize, after it opened Feb. 5, 2011. A lucky winner inherited this master blend of contemporary and traditional style designed by Atmosphere Interior Design of Saskatoon, Canada. I had the pleasure of getting the inside scoop from resident designer Curtis Elmy about the inspiration of the home and some insider tips on achieving this look.
| EW: How did you make a traditional white kitchen look so modern?
Private Comment
CE: White kitchens have always been in high demand. We gave the public what they love and introduced them to a variation of an old favorite. The kitchen island is made of wenge wood framed in stainless steel. We also included a pair of Jonathan Adler's Porter Pendants to really make the space shine. |
| EW: I notice most of your designs contain a monochromatic palette of whites, creams, black and grays. What was the motivation behind the blue sofa?
Private Comment
CE: In choosing the sofa, upholstered in Kravet's blue velvet, we took cues from the runway. Blue is quite prevalent in the latest fashions and became the catalyst for the home's color palette. |
EW: This room looks effortlessly chic. By all means, tell me how we can copy the look?
CE: Ironically, attention to detail creates an effortless look. For example, upholstering the back of the club chairs in this toile fabric highlights the shape of the chair and accents its curves. Keeping accessories simple and clean maintains the freshness of the space. Last, choose artwork that coordinates with the room's decor. This pieces was commission by Penny Leach who gathered inspiration from the home's storyboard.
Private Comment
CE: Ironically, attention to detail creates an effortless look. For example, upholstering the back of the club chairs in this toile fabric highlights the shape of the chair and accents its curves. Keeping accessories simple and clean maintains the freshness of the space. Last, choose artwork that coordinates with the room's decor. This pieces was commission by Penny Leach who gathered inspiration from the home's storyboard.
EW: This home tour leaves me wanting to paint all of my doors and trim black!
CE: Black adds an air of sophistication and elegance and makes the space feel polished and more refined.
Private Comment
CE: Black adds an air of sophistication and elegance and makes the space feel polished and more refined.
| EW: Many tend to love the idea of a two-story great room, but are intimidated by the ceiling height. Can you give us a few words of advice when tackling tall rooms?
Private Comment
CE: 1. Unless you have a great art collection, use painted moldings throughout to add depth to walls. 2. Dress tall windows in full height drapery panels. 3. Create a welcoming seating area to encourage conversation. |
| EW: Now this principal bedroom is very moody, but has an understated glamour. You really took full advantage of the natural light in this room when painting it such a dark color.
Private Comment
CE: The room overlooks a golf course and does receive a ton of light. The darker color softens the effect of all the sunshine pouring in to the window. |
| EW: Here we get a better look at the headboard and rich fabrics on the bed and window. You cleverly blur the lines of modern and traditional.
Private Comment
CE: We remained true to our design aesthetic in combining contemporary elements with traditional furnishings. The traditional, tufted headboard is custom and the drapery has a modern pagoda motif by Thomas Paul for Duralee. The fabric is repeated in the toss cushions which adds pattern to the bedding scheme. |
EW: The tile in this bathroom literally takes my breath away. It makes such an impressive statement. Is this a natural stone?
CE: Yes, it is a luxurious, polished marble sourced from a company in California. The flooring is made up of 18"x18" tiles, the walls are mosaic tiles. The combination of colors are even more amazing in person.
Private Comment
CE: Yes, it is a luxurious, polished marble sourced from a company in California. The flooring is made up of 18"x18" tiles, the walls are mosaic tiles. The combination of colors are even more amazing in person.
EW: What is the recipe for an unforgettable powder bath?
CE: 1. Convert your favorite piece of furniture into a vanity.
2. Splurge on a fantastic wallpaper print. The pattern shown is KISHANGARH by Osborne and Little. A composition of vintage perfume bottle silhouettes, its reflective qualities play off of the Beehive pendant by Robert Abbey.
3. Opt for unique light fixtures that add character to the space.
Private Comment
CE: 1. Convert your favorite piece of furniture into a vanity.
2. Splurge on a fantastic wallpaper print. The pattern shown is KISHANGARH by Osborne and Little. A composition of vintage perfume bottle silhouettes, its reflective qualities play off of the Beehive pendant by Robert Abbey.
3. Opt for unique light fixtures that add character to the space.
EW: The space has limited furnishings but still has a remarkable impact. Why is that?
CE: The study has a calming Asian influence as seen in the fretwork wallpaper pattern, credenza, grasscloth inserts on the desk, and the Buddha head statue. Greatest luxury may be the overhead chandelier and coordinating lamps.
Private Comment
CE: The study has a calming Asian influence as seen in the fretwork wallpaper pattern, credenza, grasscloth inserts on the desk, and the Buddha head statue. Greatest luxury may be the overhead chandelier and coordinating lamps.
EW: Is this vanity made of wenge wood like the kitchen island?What type of finish is that on the doors?
CE: Yes, the vanity is also made of wenge wood. The doors are a high gloss lacquer car finish in white. This bath is in fact the least traditional room in the house.
Private Comment
CE: Yes, the vanity is also made of wenge wood. The doors are a high gloss lacquer car finish in white. This bath is in fact the least traditional room in the house.
| EW: At first sight, I would have never guessed this bedroom was in the same house.
Private Comment
CE: We added an element surprise here given the fact it was separated from other parts of the house. Even though we are known for keeping a neutral palette. We're never afraid to take a risk with color. More Houzz Tours: Soho Loft Shows the Warm Side of Modern '70s Condo Gets Extreme Makeover Family Friendly Mid-Century Home |
Comments
marthamilburn says:
This house is fabulous! Everything so fresh and sophisticated.
The most tastefully decorated house I've seen in a long time!
The most tastefully decorated house I've seen in a long time!
15 months ago ·
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Donna Comstock says:
love your attention to the details that make each space special
15 months ago ·
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Ashley White says:
I love the textile combination in the living room. I also really like the addition of drapers near the kitchen, it really warms up the space! Beautiful!
15 months ago ·
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patscats2 says:
Very pretty house, but I would describe it as Contemporary with a tiny bit of traditional thrown in. When I look at the room initially, Conemporary comes to mind, not traditional. It is however a lot warmer than straight Contemporary. Very nice.
15 months ago ·
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trish67 says:
Can you tell me who makes the lighting in the study? It's perfect!
15 months ago ·
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deanie says:
My Gosh is this place the bomb! What I like best is the look is something that can be emulated within a fairly tight budget (albeit perhaps not as luxurious!). Makes me want to toss out everything I did two years ago and start all over again!
15 months ago ·
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Regina says:
WOW!! My husbsnd and I recently purchased an old boys home/school and it is what I would consider traditional and I love contemporary so this idea book is the perfect inspiration for the vision I have for it, of course with a much, much smaller budget lol. If I ever get a room finished I will post one *sigh* until then I will definitely be coming back to this home:)
15 months ago ·
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tiffanyfig says:
We are using a tile similar to the bathroom marble mosaic in our kitchen and living room. We found it through Emser and the manufacturer is Marble Systems: http://www.marblesystems.com/en/category/area/all/ashlar-pattern/verona
15 months ago ·
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tiffanyfig: that is absolutely gorgeous. I hope you will post photos when complete!
15 months ago ·
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gardenia31474157 says:
We sell this marble and all of its components at The Shower Door & Glass Depot in Longwood, Florida. It is quite popular!
15 months ago ·
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fady says:
I need to know who designed the light in the study room, its awesome!!!
15 months ago ·
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Lakeitha Duncan says:
I abolutely adore these spaces! I love the use of moody colors. And yes, it makes me want to paint my doors and trim black too! One day (in a larger house) I will do just that!
Thanks for the link:)
Thanks for the link:)
14 months ago ·
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