Our Home: 8FOOTSIX

Happy Monday!  How was your weekend? It was pretty cold out for the past couple of days in Waterloo, and with the strong wind + light snow combo which reduced visibility to less than 100 m, Chris and I took it easy and stayed in for the most part.

Now if we are confined by Mother Nature to stay in our own home (for at least a good 4 blustery cold months), wouldn't we want our home to remind us of the warm & bright rays in spring, or to simply make us feel happy?  THAT is precisely how I felt as I entered our first feature home of 2013.    

Yes "Our Home" is back and please welcome the super talented Shannon of 8FOOTSIX.

image via 8FOOTSIX

I felt an instant warm welcome and breath of fresh air the moment I stepped into Shannon's gorgeous historical home in a well-established, family-friendly neighbourhood.  You all know I am a sucker for beautiful period architectural details, and Shannon's home is one fine example on how a modern family habitats in a "century-young" craftsman.  Not only did Shannon master the art of mixing old and new, she also skillfully introduced a few key Asian inspired pieces + accents that tie back to her husband's family root.  

I also love that this home is totally kid-friendly.  The bright red jacket, the textile basket under the console for practical storage, the subdued yet impactful ikat dhurrie, and that yellow DHL bus!  Shannon put a smile on my face within seconds for a lasting first impression.

Are you sitting down? You should because this living room is jaw-droppingly gorgeous!! I love everything about this room: the color palette, details on the fireplace, original artwork, delicate accessories, mid-century inspired furnishings, and check out that exquisite area rug! I died and have gone to rug heaven!! 

image via 8FOOTSIX

It is no easy task to pull together an elegant, serene room like this.  Shannon did an incredible job and here are a few essential building blocks for those who would like to steal this look in their own home:

image (left) via 8FOOTSIX

Always prioritize a reasonable budget for accessories and one of a kind investment pieces when tackling a renovation project.  I understand that budget is always tight at renovation project, but a renovated space without accessories and statement pieces will appear flat and lack of originality and personality.  Here is how Shannon injects her taste, style, and tells her living room story:

image (left) via 8FOOTSIX

Adjacent to the living room is this high-contrast, mod black & white dining room.  Continuing the juxtaposition between old and new in the living room, Shannon paired a set of 8 Eames inspired molded plywood chairs (in ebony with white faux leather upholstered seats and backs) with a traditional round dining table in mahagony, and hung a timeless, contemporary chandelier by Studio Baker B.  The look is intimate, sophisticated, and absolutely inspiring.

image (right) via 8FOOTSIX

Shannon definitely has a keen eye for fantastic finds and a sharp sense of style in her vignettes.  I LOVE this vintage director chair with an art deco flair.  The chrome frame, the button tufted seat, and the lucite back: this chair is full of personality and an instant conversation piece.  To complement the strong presence of the chair, Shannon partnered it with a subtle yet edgy sideboard, placed a branch at the corner for a touch of nature, and the ocean blue in the artwork couldn't be any more perfect to play off the milk chocolate brown on the chair. 

Speaking about artwork, Shannon's house is full of original treasures and this black & white custom piece,"Claudia", is an absolutely stunner.  Dramatic in both scale and execution, Claudia has the power to balance off the visual weight of the chairs + sideboard on the opposite side of the room.  A lesson I learned from Shannon: you don't need another piece of furniture to create visual balance and utilize the power of art to its full potential.

image (right) via 8FOOTSIX

As they always say, kitchen is the heart of the home.  Shannon's kitchen & eat-in area is not only the heart of her home, it also captured mine!  With timeless shaker style profile for the cabinets, classic polished nickel hardware, chef envy kitchen appliances, beautiful moulding, practical and stylish elongated custom subway tiles as backsplash, and sensation windows to flood the space with natural light, Shannon ... I am so moving in!    

image (right) via 8FOOTSIX

What a fun collection of vintage cookware (you should definitely check out Shannon's Etsy store for more treasures) and this sightline from the kitchen to the backyard + cedar deck is purely divine.  We will come back in the summer for another visit of the sleek and contemporary backyard.   

8 FOOTSIX, here is where it all started with Shannon trying to underpin her basement for an 8'6 ceiling height in her century home.  The process might be messy and at times felt "what on earth was I thinking?", but when I see this bright, polished, and cozy family hub where every member of the family get to relax and just enjoy each other's company, I would definitely say "It is all worth it!". 

Lots of design elements I love about this family room: the custom wooden screen that doubles as "railing" for safety, the work zone under the stairs to maximize the use of space, the floating units provide storage and house a projector for movie time, the polished concrete floor gives the space an industrial vibe, and the two rectangular track light systems flood the space with brightness.   

Shannon also has a super sexy bar in the basement outfitted with an espresso cabinet and stainless steel counter + backsplash.  Unique lighting is yet another speciality of our talented hostess, and this mid-century chandelier is dynamite in the space!  It totally reminds me of the mini bar in a suite of a luxurious hotel.    

image (left) via 8FOOTSIX

Ready to head up to the second floor? I think we do.  Shannon's master bedroom is calm, eclectic, and each item was carefully selected to create this cozy, restful retreat.  Shannon is such a talented photographer and what a beautiful gallery wall to showcase the cherish moments!    

image via 8FOOTSIX

One last stop of today's tour: an inspirational home office where Shannon creates her magic.  From the rainbow colors on the shelves, the all white milk glass collection, the unbelievably chic super tall boy that houses all the office essentials, to the comfy leather club chair, this could well be the home office of my dreams.   

image via 8FOOTSIX

I hope you are as inspired as I am after this spectacular house tour.  Shannon is truly amazing and has done an incredible job to update her century house into a home for HER family.  Her impeccable sense of style is undeniable and can't you tell:  I AM A BIG FAN!

Happy Monday and it is only 3 more sleeps until The Party!