Houzz Tour: Practical Style for a Family Home in Calgary
Easy-clean textiles, ecofriendly materials and a newly open layout provide a Canadian family with comfort and practicality
Houzz Editorial Staff
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The perfect location doesn't always have the perfect house. This former two-bedroom bungalow in the Altadore neighborhood of Calgary, Alberta, is close to schools and dog parks, but the closed-off layout and limited bedrooms didn't make sense for Jennifer and Derek Stuart's growing family. Jennifer, an interior designer, redesigned the home along with Copper Brook Homes. By gutting the main floor, focusing on ecofriendly attributes and adding a second level, they made a place that feels open, bright and family ready.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Jennifer and Derek Stuart, their 2 sons and 2 dogs
Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Size: 2,600 square feet, 3 bedrooms, 2 1/2 bathrooms
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Jennifer and Derek Stuart, their 2 sons and 2 dogs
Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Size: 2,600 square feet, 3 bedrooms, 2 1/2 bathrooms
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| Jennifer Stuart remodeled the house around its original west-facing living room. Since it had the most natural light, she took advantage of its orientation and turned the room into a two-story space with massive windows. Double-paned glass with an SPF coating minimizes the heat gain and loss, as well as the fading effects of the sun. She integrated many ecofriendly features, but the family's budget didn't allow for the solar panels they had hoped for. Instead, Copper Brook Homes prepped the home for them by running a tube from the roof to the electrical panel, so they can one day be installed with minimal interruption. Lamp: EQ3; coffee table: Florence Knoll |
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| Instead of investing in an expensive couch, Stuart purchased an Ikea Karlstad sectional and replaced the telltale wood legs with metal ones. Inexpensive sea grass rugs from Home Depot help define the living and dining areas. "With a young family, it just does not make sense to sink a lot of money into rugs and upholstery," says Stuart. Vintage dining room chairs were reupholstered in Ultraleather — a durable and easy-to-clean leather alternative. Mirror: Pier 1 Imports |
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| Marble tile on the fireplace adds a luxe touch; using tile rather than slab marble cut down on cost. Stuart used the same Benjamin Moore Natura paint for both the walls and trim to make touch-ups easy. Fireplace surround: Ames polished marble; hearth: concrete, Caesarstone |
The home's clean look continues in the kitchen with custom cabinetry, the same marble tile from the fireplace on the backsplash and Caesarstone counters.
The oak flooring on the main floor has a vegetable oil finish. Not only is the finish nontoxic, but it gives the floor a matte look, so scratches aren't as noticeable. "The idea is that the floor will develop character as we live on it," says Stuart. "It can be hard to remember that as the dings and scratches are actually occurring, though!"
Backsplash: Ames polished marble; countertops: Caesarstone in Blizzard; cabinetry: Huntwood Custom Cabinets; lighting: Carrington Lighting; bar stools: Emeco 20-06; range hood: Roma, Zephyr
The oak flooring on the main floor has a vegetable oil finish. Not only is the finish nontoxic, but it gives the floor a matte look, so scratches aren't as noticeable. "The idea is that the floor will develop character as we live on it," says Stuart. "It can be hard to remember that as the dings and scratches are actually occurring, though!"
Backsplash: Ames polished marble; countertops: Caesarstone in Blizzard; cabinetry: Huntwood Custom Cabinets; lighting: Carrington Lighting; bar stools: Emeco 20-06; range hood: Roma, Zephyr
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| A custom serving and storage area for wine and other beverages just off the kitchen's work area helps keep guests out of the cook's path. Beverage storage area: Calmark Cabinetry and Woodwork |
Stuart chose finishes and materials with as many green and nontoxic characteristics as possible. These finishes are also designed to change and gain patina over time, so the house will grow with her family. "For me it's worth it to spend a little extra for the healthier option," says Stuart.
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| Like the rest of the house, Stuart's home office feels simple, fresh and clean. "I'm trying to grow my home decor organically — finding treasures here and there and bringing them home," she says. Bookshelves: Billy, Ikea; desk: Ikea; chair: EQ3; chandelier: Carrington Lighting |
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| The restrained palette of white walls, gray tiles and wood tones allows Stuart to experiment with accessories. A simple background in this sitting room makes way for seahorse pillows and a zebra rug. Rattan chairs: Caban (now closed); zebra rug: Home Sense; coffee table: vintage; mirrors (left to right): Pier 1, Home Sense, vintage |
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| The nursery sticks to the simple palette with a few blue accents. Dresser and changing station: Oeuf; crib: Nursery Works |
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| Aimee Wilder Pigeon wallpaper adds graphic interest in the older son's room. "I had wallpaper and a chair rail in my bedroom as a child, and I think I wanted to replicate that for my son," Stuart says. Dresser: Bermanfalk |
Stuart re-covered a vintage chair from her husband's grandfather in blue Ultraleather for a sentimental but practical touch in her son's room.
She had a bit more fun with color in the kids' bathroom. Red industrial lights, pale blue walls and playful prints and textiles add simple style that can be easily updated as the boys grow.
Lights: Barn Light Electric; wall and accent tiles: DalTile; print: John W. Golden, Etsy; wall paint: Polar Sky, Benjamin Moore
Lights: Barn Light Electric; wall and accent tiles: DalTile; print: John W. Golden, Etsy; wall paint: Polar Sky, Benjamin Moore
Most of the wall art in the home appears in this bedroom. While she occasionally gets comments about her relatively bare walls, Stuart wants to choose things she really loves rather than fill the space with random pieces. "I'm just waiting to stumble across the right thing," she says.
Bed frame: Caban (now closed); light fixture: Cartwright lighting; trunk: Pottery Barn; bedside tables: Caban; bedside lights: Home Depot
Bed frame: Caban (now closed); light fixture: Cartwright lighting; trunk: Pottery Barn; bedside tables: Caban; bedside lights: Home Depot
The master bath feels soothing. A modern chandelier and industrial mirror lights add affordable visual impact.
Light fixture: Carrington lighting; floor tile: Euro Habita; wall tile: Euro Planks; mirror light: Barn Light Electric
Light fixture: Carrington lighting; floor tile: Euro Habita; wall tile: Euro Planks; mirror light: Barn Light Electric
Comments
Lucianna Samu - Color and Design Very quiet and subdued. Nice job and I love the light over the DR table. What color Benjamin Moore paint was used?
8 months ago · Like
garaujo I love that the house looks like someone actually lives in it!!
7 months ago · Like
farfellover I also like the light over the DR table. Where can I purchase one like it?
7 months ago · Like
Georgia Blum I was thinking this was a bit stark...then I read the part about waiting for just the right piece to decorate the walls instead of just putting up whatever. That's admirable. Also, it's really neat reading about a house in my own city, makes the article more immediate. Hi from a fellow Calgarian! (btw is that ALF in the bedroom? Awesome!!)
7 months ago · Like
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Luxuryhometrend Nice job !
7 months ago · Like
Ideabook published on Nov. 4, 2012.
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