A Magical View along with a Before & After

When I first arrived at this reader's fabulous address in West Vancouver for a consultation, I though that this was her home (below):

I even went up and knocked on the door (the boxwood is about to be potted that’s why it’s a bit crooked) which as it turns out is the guesthouse!

Then I turned and realized that (of course) this was the house, down the stairs and along the walkway (wow).

You can see the winding staircase through the windows (below) which goes down 3 flights – just beautiful!

This is the living room which needed window coverings and more seating for entertaining:

This is the backyard, with grounds that look like we are in Europe somewhere, so beautiful!

You can tell both photos (above and below) were taken on separate days, one cloudy and one sunny, but below you can see more of the view!


My clients husband is an amazing pianist (and a lawyer) and they have a concert grand which work best in the kitchen dining area (for entertaining) where she had some store bought drapes up, and it was not working very well.

Before

After

Here’s the after with a Hollywood Glam X console set up as a bar and the custom faux silk (because of the full sun) drapery (the chandelier still needs to be changed or installed higher).

Here’s a close up of my clients beautiful silver. Love the yellow roses (she ALWAYS has fresh flowers in the house)!

Before

This is the office/den which needed an upholstered, tufted ottoman to unify the four chairs!

After

The fabric is Quill Tips/ Sable and is from Robert Allen:

The brown, eggplant and yellow tones in this fabric worked perfectly with the Persian rug and now becomes the focal point of the room when you walk in!

Here’s the before again (above)

All photos by Maria Killam

And here drapery panels have been added along with 2 ottomans in front of the fireplace, the Barbara Barry Sofa moved to the opposite side of the room and a loveseat added (on order). Sorry the pictures are so dark, that’s what happens when so much light floods through the windows :)


The best part of writing a blog is that readers get to know me. Then when they become a client our relationship is already established! So my whole experience of design has changed. It’s like getting the best referrals on the planet! Most of my clients could be my sister or a close friend, they are so great!

Another before picture, I suggested spraying the coffee table base in brown/black but in the end she choose a new contemporary coffee table (below). I can't take credit for the furniture in this room--my clients purchased it in a local high end store in town.

All photos by Maria Killam

We are actually going to install full drapery here. We installed panels first so we could make sure it was the best idea. So much sun comes into this living room and there is no valance to hide the track so the best option I have come up with is to install a channel rod directly to the top of the window and paint it out the trim colour. Roller shades would totally destroy the architectural beauty of the windows and from what I understand installing film on the outside is also unworkable from an aesthetic viewpoint.
I will also show you her stunning Downsview French Country kitchen (but that’s for another day).
Have a great weekend my lovelies!

If you want your home to have atmosphere including colours that flow to fill you with happiness every time you walk in. Contact me by email info@mariakillam.com for on-line rates or call me at 604.318.9725 if you are local.


Related posts:
Hotel Chic Guest Room; Before & After
10 Ways to Save money NOW By Creating a Focal Point
6 Ways I’ve Grown through Writing a Blog
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