Innovative Design
STORY: GISELE WINTON SARVIS | PHOTOGRAPHY: NIAMH BARRY
Building new homes in an established neighbourhood requires a balance between the essence of the existing streetscape and the buyers’ demands for open-concept living.
The home’s palette and furnishings are easy on the eye.
When you add designer Kaitlyn Cruickshank, you get a result that the principal designer of Kaitlyn Amelia Jean Design (KAJ). Kaitlyn’s space planning, design and decorating at this home on Barrie’s Codrington Street serves as inspiration and a conceptual model home for a builder’s proposed in-fill development of 38 residential lots on nearby Cook Street. Kaitlyn is doing the design work for the subdivision of single-family homes and townhouses.
“I don’t like building standard homes,” says Kaitlyn while standing in the new two-storey home with 10-foot ceilings and open-concept space. “I like taking it to the next level. That’s what we do as designers.”
Kaitlyn worked with residential designer Justin Sherry of Justin Sherry Design Studio to design the layout of the home and she completed every aspect, right down to the furnishings. Kaitlyn has a sales office and studio in Barrie. Kaitlyn has been working on renovations, new homes, multi-residential projects and cottages, mostly in Barrie and Muskoka, since starting her own business in 2013. “I think the kitchen is the heart of the home,” she says. “It definitely needs to work. You start there and then you build it out.”
In this home, Kaitlyn decided to change a planned main-floor office beside the dining room into a bar. It is self-contained with a counter, shelving for glassware, bar fridge and sink, so it's separate from the kitchen. That comes in handy when you are entertaining so guests can self-serve beverages without bumping into the chef, says Kaitlyn. All windows and the front door are from DeCola Windows + Doors.
To keep a consistent streetscape, the home is all brick. Located on a busy corner, Justin and Kaitlyn designed the home so that the attractive front of the home faces Codrington, while the driveway and garage are on the side street, making it safer to drive in and out.
The kitchen and dining area walls are painted Benjamin Moore Swiss Coffee and contrast with the kitchen cabinets that are painted Westcott Navy.
From the entrance, the family room and kitchen are visible in the airy space with lots of windows and walls painted Benjamin Moore Swiss Coffee. Separating the entrance from the family room, a console gives people a place to drop keys. The front hall closet is maxed out with sections for long and short coats plus drawers and shelves. “We do this for all our closets,” Kaitlyn says.
Kitchen and bar cabinetry was crafted by Perkinsfield Kitchen & Bath Inc. and painted Benjamin Moore Wescott Navy.
The kitchen by Perkinsfield Kitchen & Bath features an extra-large island with a walnut butcher’s block at the end and lower open shelves. The stools at the island are wood with wicker caning, adding to the natural appeal. The kitchen cabinets are painted Benjamin Moore Westcott Navy. The only uppers are over the fridge but there is abundant storage in pull-out drawers.
The island is topped with HanStone quartz, paired with a custom range hood that’s finished in a durable Marrakech paint, bringing a warm texture to the space. All plumbing fixtures are from The Ensuite Kitchen & Bath Showroom Barrie.
The family room has a huge sectional sofa and comfortable leather chairs. The Napoleon Home Comfort fireplace has a white painted brick surround with a frame TV above. The main floor laundry/mudroom has a window that brings in natural light. It features stacked laundry machines, a counter, sink, room to hang clothes, hooks for coats, and a bench. “It’s a room that covers it all,” Kaitlyn says. There are four bedrooms and three bathrooms on the second level.
“I like the layout,” Kaitlyn says. “Each bedroom has a lot of privacy. The primary is almost a whole wing. None of the bedrooms are touching,” she says. The primary bedroom has vaulted ceilings and its en suite features two vanities separated by the stand-alone tub. “It’s nice to have dual vanities and they are separate,” she says. The glass-enclosed shower features different herringbone tile on the floor and walls and champagne bronze hardware. The pendant lights have etched glass, giving them an antique look. The walk-in closet features a window for both natural light and fresh air.
The guest room features red accessories. The whole house is painted Benjamin Moore Swiss Coffee. Engineered hardwood completes the room.
Two of the bedrooms share a bathroom with unique faucets that are black wheels and gooseneck lamps from Ireland. Kaitlyn says home projects often take a year or more so she really gets to know her clients. “I feel like my clients become friends; not always when they hire you but at the end.”
The mudroom millwork is painted Benjamin Moore Antique Pewter while the bench and upper shelf have a custom stain. The floor tile is Opus Stone in Grigio.
The projects are complex and often stressful for everyone as a home represents the largest investment people make, but it’s worth it, says Kaitlyn. “Seeing it all come together is really satisfying,” she says. “You look back and say ‘that is a beautiful home and I was a part of it.” OH