Rustic Retreat

Set against the serene backdrop of Kootenay Lake, this home’s blend of modern comfort and rustic charm feels just right.

We started by reworking the main floor plan, turning small, enclosed rooms into open spaces and adding a touch of character along the way. We relocated a staircase from the center of the home to the new laundry/mudroom, opening up the kitchen and entry areas and improving the indoor/outdoor flow. The unused sunroom off the living room was removed to create space for the new covered deck, complete with timber accents and a stone-clad exterior fireplace that compliments the home’s river stone foundation. The living room was upgraded with a new fireplace surround, and both fireplaces feature large, raised hearths for seating.

The new floor plan creates a spacious dining/family room area, complete with new gas stove and large windows overlooking the lake. A new den/guest space off the family room is closed off with barn doors that compliment the home’s rustic design style. The home’s cozy feel is accentuated by the choice of finishes and fixtures, including rustic wood flooring and millwork, distressed tiles, and mixed metals throughout. The custom kitchen backsplash tiles are extra special, featuring imagery of family pets drawn by the homeowners’ children.

Upstairs, we refreshed the space with a full bathroom renovation, new carpeting, and a fresh coat of paint. Windows, doors and trims were replaced throughout the home, and new LED light fixtures were installed in each room. The exterior of the home also went through a major transformation, including a much needed upgrade to the siding and trim. Stay tuned for more exterior photos to come.

Before & After

Gallery
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I have completed three high-end, successful and significant residential renovations with Lara Ellenwood during the past 11 years. Lara is a uniquely talented Interior Designer. She is a pleasure to work with - quiet, thoughtful, pleasant and sensitive. She is very well trained, professional and highly organized. I met her initially as a client of Ledingham Design, where she handled their interior design. She excels in design and in liaising with suppliers and trades whom she knows well and who hold her in very high regard. I understand why! She is more than willing to listen to her clients and their personal needs, and bend her choices in their direction. Additionally, she enriches their choices, adds new ideas, presents fine concept sketches, then detailed plans, and absolutely aces the colour palette after the required contemplation work. She then supervises the actualization process from beginning to end, has the best resources at her disposal, and brings together all the disparate elements together, successfully. Whoever you are, you are fortunate to be able to consider working with her.
Joyce C.
I have completed three high-end, successful and significant residential renovations with Lara Ellenwood during the past 11 years.  Lara is a uniquely talented Interior Designer. She is a pleasure to work with - quiet, thoughtful, pleasant and sensitive. She is very well trained, professional and highly organized. I met her initially as a client of Ledingham Design, where she handled their interior design. She excels in design and in liaising with suppliers and trades whom she knows well and who hold her in very high regard.  I understand why! She is more than willing to listen to her clients and their personal needs, and bend her choices in their direction. Additionally, she enriches their choices, adds new ideas, presents fine concept sketches, then detailed plans, and absolutely aces the colour palette after the required contemplation work. She then supervises the actualization process from beginning to end, has the best resources at her disposal, and brings together all the disparate elements together, successfully.  Whoever you are, you are fortunate to be able to consider working with her.
Joyce C.
I had a complete kitchen renovation done by Ellenwood Homes. Lara oversaw the design and Marc the construction. I had an idea of what I wanted, along with some pictures. Lara was able to bring together these threads and help me put together a fabulous modern kitchen. Not only did she do a lot of leg work [materials sourcing] and construction drawings, she also did construction supervision along with Marc. Lara is a very experienced designer. She was easy to work with and came up with great options and sensible solutions. My job was small, but both Marc and Lara gave it top-notch attention. I love my new kitchen! The work was very good quality and we stayed within budget. I would happily hire them again for my next project.
Colleen B.
I had a complete kitchen renovation done by Ellenwood Homes. Lara oversaw the design and Marc the construction. I had an idea of what I wanted, along with some pictures. Lara was able to bring together these threads and help me put together a fabulous modern kitchen. Not only did she do a lot of leg work [materials sourcing] and construction drawings, she also did construction supervision along with Marc. Lara is a very experienced designer. She was easy to work with and came up with great options and sensible solutions. My job was small, but both Marc and Lara gave it top-notch attention. I love my new kitchen! The work was very good quality and we stayed within budget. I would happily hire them again for my next project.
Colleen B.
Nancy and Mike B., Harrop

Our newly-purchased home was built in '93 and when the realtor arranged a first showing in late 2016, my wife said, "This place has potential value but it needs a serious updating".  At the same time, I kept thinking, "I think this house has good bones".  So we bought it, moved into it and embarked on updating it with the help of Lara and Marc from Ellenwood Homes. All excellent decisions.

Lara is educated and experienced in building and furniture design; Marc in construction and budgeting.  Add to that the varied skills of their main onsite contractors, Corey and Scott.  What a team!  We've never known better and if we were to tackle another job like this we'd choose these folks again...in a flash!

After a winter of renovating and selecting of new furniture - all guided by our team, we are totally thrilled with the outcome.  On top of that, we've gained very good friends in the process...

Nancy and Mike B., Harrop
It was a pleasure working with Marc and Lara from Ellenwood Homes. Lara had excellent ideas about how to maximize the existing spaces in my home. Her design made both the kitchen and bathroom much more functional and attractive. She has excellent taste and always provided several design options to choose from. Both Marc and Lara were respectful of my wishes and were willing to provide guidance and suggestions. Marc’s renovations were done on-time and within budget. He reviewed all the work with me and was prompt about addressing any concerns.
Susan M.
It was a pleasure working with Marc and Lara from Ellenwood Homes. Lara had excellent ideas about how to maximize the existing spaces in my home. Her design made both the kitchen and bathroom much more functional and attractive. She has excellent taste and always provided several design options to choose from. Both Marc and Lara were respectful of my wishes and were willing to provide guidance and suggestions. Marc’s renovations were done on-time and within budget. He reviewed all the work with me and was prompt about addressing any concerns.
Susan M.
Marc and Lara provided a top notch product and I would not hesitate to recommend them to anyone considering a minor or extensive renovation. Initially I was provided with a very detailed cost analysis and later, if costs differed, there was always a consultation. What also impressed me was when the tradespeople commented that Marc and Lara are some of the best and most professional people they've ever worked for. Any issues which came up after completion were promptly addressed by Marc and Lara. A great team, providing a great product!
Ruth B.
Marc and Lara provided a top notch product and I would not hesitate to recommend them to anyone considering a minor or extensive renovation.  Initially I was provided with a very detailed cost analysis and later, if costs differed, there was always a consultation.  What also impressed me was when the tradespeople commented that Marc and Lara are some of the best and most professional people they've ever worked for.  Any issues which came up after completion were promptly addressed by Marc and Lara.  A great team, providing a great product!
Ruth B.

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