Nina Seed Interiors

It was finally time for a light kitchen refresh of my own, and with a tight timeline of two weeks. I kept the appliances, countertop, sink and cabinets as they were all in great condition and focused instead on the overall palette and feel of the kitchen, including the use of three different cabinet colors. I took my inspiration from the thousands of hydrangea heads that grow on our property every summer, which I like to dry at the end of the season and so it was a bunch of my own dried hydrangeas that launched this palette of pinks and greens. I wanted the kitchen to feel warm and welcoming, to have an English feel and for each space to work cohesively in the room. The star of the show is undoubtedly the wallpapered hood wall (which is protected behind the stove with an acrylic sheet) and it brings in the delightful forest scene of the reservation that starts beyond our garden. Alongside new plumbing, the unlacquered hardware and mixed metal lighting brings a richness which works so well with the high gloss cabinetry. I mixed stripes and greenery motifs in both the window treatments and the furniture, which is a theme on repeat in other areas of the first floor.

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Contractor: C&A Painting

Photography: Jessica Delaney Photography

This stunning project involved much reflection upon the historical roots of the property’s estate while bringing a European vision back to life. The architectural bones of the new spaces were designed with careful attention to the repetition of archways and detailed millwork, while balancing that formality with plenty of comfort for the needs of a large family. The blend of organic materials and paint sourced both locally and in Europe bring vitality and longevity to the neutral palette that is found in many of the spaces. Layering of tone on tone lends the aesthetic an appropriate level of depth that is often abundant in historical homes.

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Architect: TJP Design Group

Builder: Malmquist Builders

Photography: Tamara Flanagan Photography

This project involved the renovation of a first floor. NSI worked on the re-design of the kitchen and kitchen dining, dining room, family room, office, powder room, foyer space and screened porch.

The kitchen was repositioned to take advantage of the lovely garden views and to allow for a more cohesive kitchen dining and entertaining space. Both the kitchen and the bar provided plenty of new storage which meant that a former pantry closet could become a coffee machine nook.

The family room fireplace was re-worked to encompass a design worthy of it’s double storey ceiling height and is separated from the newly enclosed kitchen dining area.

We used a beautiful neutral palette for the bones of the design with washes of teal, blue and grey throughout all the spaces for a cohesive flow and highly liveable aesthetic for this young and busy family.

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Builder and Cabinetry: RW Gorman and JD Millworks

Photographer: Tamara Flanagan

These special friends became clients of NSI when they asked us to lead the design and build team for their boot room, kitchen, pantry, powder room, dining room and primary bathroom renovations.

Our clients wanted to retain a classic aesthetic, befitting of their beautiful countryside home and surroundings, that would allude to their love of gardening and history, all the while providing much-improved function and flow to how they cook and entertain in their space for family and friends.

In the boot room we used a gorgeous, saturated green on new paneling which we continued into the kitchen onto the double islands and pantry doors. It was paramount that the tone would work with existing beams and a darker flooring. We brought in a touch of the modern with waterfall counters on the cabinet runs that frame the kitchen dining area. This adds a lovely juxtaposition to the antique table and dramatic yet delicate glass light fixture. We added custom brass hardware, lighting and plumbing fixtures that marry so well with the green and greige cabinet palette. The pantry provides a ton of storage together with an additional oven, while the hidden coffee and breakfast station is an invaluable addition which can be elegantly concealed while not in use. The powder room provided an opportunity to use a different color, along with a lovely, bold wallpaper.

This was a truly collaborative partnership which resulted in a wonderful mix of traditional details, some modern materials and custom elements that make this space unique and personal to our clients.

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Contractor: Twin Peaks Construction

Architect: Susan Vollaro

Photography: Tamara Flanagan

My client wanted a very English look to her new kitchen and solarium extension and so it was very much a meeting of minds on this project.  We accomplished that aesthetic with custom inset cabinetry, no upper cabinets and a variety of wonderful finishes - natural wood in the reclaimed beams and furniture, dark grey with accents of black, one-of-a kind marble for the island and some beautiful unlaquered brass touches.  My client is a terrific cook and so her heart was set on a fabulous range.  It became the show piece of the room and so we kept the hood quiet and hidden. 

At the same time, we worked on renovating many other areas of the house; a disused dining room became a cozy, yet cool library space with custom cabinetry and some wonderful lights, we wallpapered several areas in the house and in the guest bathroom and bedroom we used a Californian palette of whites, warm wood and black. 

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Builder: Todd C Sullivan Construction, Architect: RBL Architects, Photography: Caroline Maguire, Jennie Goossen

This project started in the basement, gradually progressed to a first floor renovation, and ended with a long-awaited, second floor renovation. These clients have been wonderful, collaborative partners during this multi-year journey of building and decorating. Their aesthetic leant heavily towards a neutral palette of light woods, whites and blacks, which we then layered with abstract artwork and plenty of pattern and texture throughout, drawing from natural hues seen outdoors; greens, taupes and browns, blushes and blues. The second floor renovation included a bar, snug and office space as well as a reconfigured primary suite and additional bedrooms and bathrooms.

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Builder: Twin Peaks Construction

Architect: Susan Vollaro

Photography: Tamara Flanagan Photography

During the renovation of this historic home, we concentrated on the flow of the first floor with the aim of creating a more open, but still inviting, kitchen and family room that allowed natural light to pour in from opposing ends of the new space.

The back drop of this common area remains calm and warm; the cabinets are painted in a strong Farrow & Ball neutral with a stunning rift cut white oak refrigeration and pantry unit. We introduced a mix of metals and brought the stone countertop up the full height of the kitchen walls to create a seamless and reflective surface. We layered blues, camels and blacks for a warm and modern vibe that blended into the house’s overall aesthetic which was achieved by dabbling with color and pattern throughout; on furniture, pillows, window treatments, artwork and knick knacks. In the powder room and mudroom we introduced strong pattern and some beautiful greens, while still allowing for a timeless look. The result is a sophisticated yet playful house, that truly reflects its occupants.

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Architect: Peter Sachs Architect

Photography: Tamara Flanagan Photography

This project involved the complete renovation of a basement floor from builder’s grade to a cool, boutique-hotel vibe. We took a very perfunctory space and turned it into something truly special for this family to use for entertaining over the winter months. We introduced curves and texture that include a black nickel framed kitchenette, a metal studded bar, faux ostrich wrapped seating and shelving and metallic ceiling wallpaper. The lighting plan encompasses many levels of accent illumination from an acrylic paneled art installation to mixed material light fixtures. In addition, we carved out space for a stunning sub terranean office and designed a gym and playroom that share some internal viewing space so that parents can work out in a separate space while still being able to keep an eye on little ones. This basement provides many different functions for all the members of the household to ‘play’ cohesively.

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Architect: Susan Vollaro

Contractor: Twin Peaks Construction

Photographer: Tamara Flanagan Photography

This project involved taking a well loved, dated house and transforming it into a contemporary, fun home that our clients, as the new homeowners, could enjoy with both family and friends. Our clients were looking for a fresh twist for this full house renovation; the overall aesthetic is a timeless palette of white, black and light woods that has been interspersed with pops of color and bold patterns that reflect the playful nature of all the members of the family. Some design highlights include a standout studded backsplash tile in the kitchen, a beautifully executed gallery wall in the dining room and some fabulous and rather daring wallpapers and fabrics throughout the property.

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Architect: Susan Vollaro

Contractor: Timely Molding Trim

Photography: Tamara Flanagan Photography