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

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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.
We hired Lara to help us design the kitchen of our dreams in our existing space. Lara had all the right tools to help us visualize a finished project before we got started so there were minimal hiccups in the building stage. Lara was patient with us and after many revisions we finally committed to the one design that fit our budget best and gave us more than we thought was possible. Mark and Lara's team then stepped in and created the final product which is now the cornerstone showpiece of the home and is a cook's dream, which we both happen to love doing. Thanks to Lara, Mark, Corey, Dustin and the team for creating a functional and beautiful kitchen!
Larissa, O.
We hired Lara to help us design the kitchen of our dreams in our existing space. Lara had all the right tools to help us visualize a finished project before we got started so there were minimal hiccups in the building stage. Lara was patient with us and after many revisions we finally committed to the one design that fit our budget best and gave us more than we thought was possible. Mark and Lara's team then stepped in and created the final product which is now the cornerstone showpiece of the home and is a cook's dream, which we both happen to love doing. Thanks to Lara, Mark, Corey, Dustin and the team for creating a functional and beautiful kitchen!
Larissa, O.

We are very happy with our renovation and addition. Lara's design ideas shine through the finished project, as does the quality of the carpenters involved. A considerate, kind and professional team. Our guests this summer have been left speechless with the transformation to our living space. We highly recommend Lara, Marc and the Ellenwood team.

Lorraine K.

We are very happy with our renovation and addition. Lara's design ideas shine through the finished project, as does the quality of the carpenters involved. A considerate, kind and professional team. Our guests this summer have been left speechless with the transformation to our living space. We highly recommend Lara, Marc and the Ellenwood team.

Lorraine K.
The uniqueness of my situation made my choice of builder critical. I was away 90% of the time during the planning and building stages of my house construction and my old house was falling down around me. I needed a reliable and motivated design/build firm to execute the project within a certain time line. I found a house I liked online and sent Marc the link. From the pictures and rudimentary floor plan he and Lara drew up the plans and designed the house to accommodate my demands for green SIP construction. Finalizing the design of a house can be a little daunting with all the details. Lara made sure to have only 2 or 3 suitable choices of each layout, fixture or sample so I was able to make decisions without being overwhelmed. Marc and Lara proved to be very accommodating with my ideas and their communication was open and easy. In all, the project ran for almost one year start to finish and I now live in a beautiful and comfortable new home.
Sylvain B.
The uniqueness of my situation made my choice of builder critical.  I was away 90% of the time during the planning and building stages of my house construction and my old house was falling down around me.  I needed a reliable and motivated design/build firm to execute the project within a certain time line.  I found a house I liked online and sent Marc the link.  From the pictures and rudimentary floor plan he and Lara drew up the plans and designed the house to accommodate my demands for green SIP construction.  Finalizing the design of a house can be a little daunting with all the details.  Lara made sure to have only 2 or 3 suitable choices of each layout, fixture or sample so I was able to make decisions without being overwhelmed.  Marc and Lara proved to be very accommodating with my ideas and their communication was open and easy.  In all, the project ran for almost one year start to finish and I now live in a beautiful and comfortable new home.
Sylvain B.
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.

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