An Edmonton bungalow gets an open-concept makeover.

No matter how nice a house may be, it doesn’t quite feel like home until you’ve put your own stamp on it. So when a young Edmonton couple (expecting their first baby) moved into a beautiful old bungalow located in the coveted Aspen Gardens neighbourhood, they were thrilled…but immediately reached out to Kresswell Interiors to plan a fresh look for the space. “They were looking for something relaxed but with a modern edge,” explains Kristina Lynne, one half of the Kresswell design team, who worked with Revive Developments on this project. That meant taking a little inspiration from cozy European chalets, and a little from Scandinavian cool, to create a space that would fit just right with the young family’s lifestyle.

But first: the layout. The bungalow was very compartmentalized, so Lynne and Tidswell took down the walls to open things up and reworked the layout to fit the young couple’s needs. From there, they layered in light woods and rich textures. Cashmere-matte-front cabinets from Kitch (an Edmonton company that transforms Ikea units) created a sense of warmth in the kitchen; the same cabinets were used for custom storage around the fireplace as well, echoing the material palette. White oak kept things light and airy but warm.

The Kresswell team brought in furniture from Article, CB2 and Tonic Living, but added some custom touches as well: local designer Uusi Studio created custom throw pillows, and Lynne and Tidswell painted a piece of linen themselves to create a dramatic tapestry hanging.

Behind the dining table, the designers painted the wall the same colour as the fireplace to create some intimacy and interest. Matching Mitzi sconces were mounted over the open kitchen shelving and alongside the fireplace. “It just draws the eye up,” says Lynne.

Kristina Lynne (left) and Diana Tidswell of Edmonton’s Kresswell Interiors.

In the master bath, it’s tiles galore, with penny tiling on the floor and then a unique vertical subway tile lining the shower. “We installed a spectrum of grey for pattern play without having to invest in graphic tile,” explains Lynne. Delta fixtures in champagne-bronze add a little glamour.

“They wanted to be able to add their own flavour and wanted it to tell their story,” says Lynne. “It’s a beautiful, welcoming warm space they can come home to.”

Originally published June 14, 2019