“It kind of feels like a puzzle that needs to be solved.” Stephanie Martin says in wonder.

The Elbow Park Residence is a home project that Stephanie Martin the principal designer at Stephanie Martin Interior Design was intrigued to be a part of. Martin had been involved in this project basically since the beginning. She was hired as an initial consult when the homeowners were considering purchasing the residence. Here marked the start of the planning process to make this home perfect for her new clients.

Martin says she’s always been fond of home renovations. It is a type of challenge she is excited to take on together with the clients. Taking the list of things they want as well as adding her own flare and touch to the home’s design.

For this particular house the homeowners loved the location and the exterior of the home. However, when taking a gander inside they noticed how small and closed in everything felt. Martin claimed that there was something off. The home was large yet spatially it didn’t seem to work.

Photo by Phil Crozier

This all being said the clients happily put their trust in Martin, her team and the renovation team at William Lake Homes to make this space their new perfect home.

The two teams went all in on this collaboration with the same goal in mind.

“We wanted it to feel comfortable and welcoming and that could accommodate entertaining larger groups, but when their family wasn’t in town, they wanted it to feel just as comfortable for a family of three.” Explains Martin. “I remember spending a number of nights at home, just sketching and re-sketching that floor plan to try to figure it out. And once we had. The floor plan reimagined everything else kind of flowed fairly easily from there.”

Photo by Phil Crozier

Locating a balance between the clients want for an open concept space and holding true to the home’s architecture was something Martin kept in mind as she took to this project. She wanted to create some definition in the home so with the help of Dave Tidmarsh the owner of William Lake Homes they created a new wall on the main floor’s entryway. This was to give the entrance hall a bit more of a traditional closed entryway look.

“I didn’t want that wall to feel too solid. So, we ended up putting in a really beautiful large interior window. Which ended up being maybe one of my personal favourite features of the home and definitely a focal point of that main floor.” Says Martin.

THE LIVING ROOM

Photo by Phil Crozier

THE BATHROOM

Pietra Grey marble flooring paired with dark countertops contrasting with the white village and Bianco Statutory marble tiling. Altogether forming an old world feel to the space. Photo by Phil Crozier
Shower layout remains from the original home’s design. Additions were in the two shower heads on the wall and a steam shower on the ceiling. Perfect for two to share the space. Photo by Phil Crozier

THE BEDROOM

KITCHEN

The black bars on the shelves are art lights. This gives a more personal touch to the added plants, art and photos placed on these shelves. Photo by Phil Crozier

DINING ROOM

The two captain chairs were chosen to add presence and act as a more formal piece at the dining table. “I love kind of mixing and matching different pieces as opposed to having a matching set.” Says Martin. Both sets of chairs were from two different manufacturers. This brought a more unique touch to the space. Photo by Phil Crozier
The dining room ceiling is wallpapered with a black medallion wallpaper. This adds to the darker captain chairs creating that grounding element. While the cream du clay side chairs gives the look a touch of softness. Photo by Phil Crozier

This was a project that brought the principal designer for Stephanie Martin Interior Design a lot of joy. She not only was happy to work alongside the William Black Team but also is ever grateful for the client whom trusted in her creative abilities.

“None of this could have happened unless you have really fantastic clients who are willing to take those design risks and kind of follow that journey along with you.” Martin finishes.

 

This story was originally published in the May/June 2024 print issue of Western Living magazine. Get your free subscription to the print edition here.