A chic furniture upgrade

During the interior design process, Jeff felt that Allison really took the time to get to know him and develop a real understanding of his lifestyle and personality. After coming to see the house in person, Allison invited him to come in to Cottswood so she could share her ideas. She presented him with pictures of the furniture and fabrics she was recommending, then took him through the showroom so he could experience the comfort and feel of each piece she had selected. Jeff loved them all.

When it came to the great room, Allison let what was already on the walls set the tone. The major piece of artwork in the room, which was painted by an Edmonton-based artist, became the anchoring piece of her design and a huge inspiration for the rest of the space. The cobalt blue distressed leather chairs and their clean lines complement the colours in the artwork while honouring the architecture of the home. At the same time, the neutral toned sofa and rug add visual contrast through their textures without competing with the painting’s bold colours. The lightness of Allison’s selections are a far cry from the bulky L-shaped sectional that had blocked the painting previously. “The artwork just pops now.”

In the dining room, Allison played off the elements that were already there, bridging the gap between the angular shapes within the structure and the organic beauty of the ravine outside. This juxtaposition is most evident in the table—its seared oak live-edge top paired with its polished stainless steel base marry the two worlds together in a single piece of furniture. Substantial yet simple, the piece connects the rest of the room together without feeling heavy. The room’s new sense of spaciousness has come as a relief to Jeff, who felt something wasn’t quite right with the bulkier pieces that had been there previously, but it took Allison’s expert eye to find the right solution.

In his own words, Jeff considers himself for be “pretty much a homebody” who gets a lot of enjoyment out of maintaining his yard and enjoying the natural seclusion his home’s location offers. He does like to have close friends and family over sometimes for dinner and drinks, he watches sports, or plays games. But when he’s on his own, he is most happy in his master bedroom, which serves as “a self-contained hotel room”, complete with a coffee maker, mini fridge, and ensuite.