Q&A with Lisa Kooistra: Remodeling a Contemporary Bungalow

In this Q&A feature, interior designer Lisa Kooistra gives us a look behind the scenes of turning an older, run-down bungalow into a space that's both stylish and functional for her clients. 

First, who were your clients, and what were their needs in designing this space?

This family had been one of our best clients when it came to trusting our visions and allowing us to create the home they wanted. Our homeowners had a dream of taking an older and run-down bungalow on a beautiful street and turning it into a complete remodeling project. They have three children, so having almost all their needs on one floor was a must.

They wanted the left wing of the house to have all the bedrooms, bathrooms, and laundry. The center of the house (the heart of it all) was designed for them to cook, entertain, and have a comfortable living space with an open layout and floor plan for TV and movie nights. They also wanted the ceiling vaulted to make this area grander and really make a statement.

We added sliding doors on both the front and back of the house for the ultimate entertainment experience. The right wing of the home was designed so they could have a mudroom, pantry, powder room, and den space.

The homeowners had many wants, such as naturally sourced materials, environmentally friendly and low VOC-admitting materials, and natural gypsum free from off-gassing and VOC exposure. One owns a naturopathic clinic downtown and likes to bring those practices into the home. They wanted a unique home without fitting the mold of other homes in the neighborhood.

We love everything about the living room—from the statement fireplace to the soft, bouclé chairs and potted greenery. Tell us a little bit about the design inspiration behind this room.

We wanted a consistent color palette throughout the main floor. This was to help curate a calming environment while mixing in textures and finishes. The living room millwork is the same color as the island, which helps with the consistent tones used.

We also wanted the materials and décor to pop and show off the client’s style. The fireplace tile was inspired by Charles Eames’ mid-century modern styles and famous interiors.

The kitchen is divine with a double sink and faucets in the island and a custom stovetop with black and white accents. What is one thing you feel every kitchen space should have?

A dream kitchen needs to have a statement piece! We love creating statements in the hood fan design. In this kitchen remodel, we designed a custom, fluted hood that is sure to become a conversation piece.

The light, hardwood, wide-plank floors you used are right on trend with warm neutrals. What are your top considerations when selecting flooring for a home renovation?

The first step is selecting the color of hardwood, which is very important because it really sets the tone and color palette. It’s important to consider who is living there—children, pets, and so forth—and determine where the new flooring is going in the home.

All these factors generally play a role in the finish, construction, and engineering of the wood when it comes to big projects like this one. If clients with pets and children are set on non-engineered flooring with a matte or smooth finish, it is important to help them understand that the wear and tear on the floors become part of the charm of the home.

The mini bar in the dining space area is a nice touch. What are some of the benefits you consider when adding personal entertainment spaces like this?

When we know that our homeowners like to entertain in their life, adding an area separate from the kitchen that can house extra drinks, bartending items, fancy glasses, and a walk-up bar is a MUST! It makes all the difference.

We also like to add walk-up bars when clients are coffee drinkers or like the idea of a separate beverage fridge. This way, there is a designated space separate from the kitchen to house everything you need.

Talk to us about your favorite ways to add statement pieces throughout a home design.

This can vary based on the overall design aesthetic, but some ways that we love to create impact are with applied moldings, wallpapers, artwork, stair runners, unique appliances, lighting fixtures, and drapery. It's crucial to add a statement piece in a remodeling project like this one.

The master bedroom has a gorgeously natural color palette—what influenced the colors?

We wanted this room to be a calming environment in life with large windows that allow lighting and greenery to shine into the space. The colors and tones are a representation of the natural feel and vibe throughout. The sconces on the walls were meant to be a statement while the fireplace was meant to blend and add warmth to the space.

Perhaps most unique is the bedroom sitting area with the cozy fireplace. What inspired this extra space?

With three children, it’s nice to create a little nook in your private bedroom that can be enjoyed when reading a book or sipping a coffee or a glass of wine by the fire at night with your partner. It can really make all the difference.

We love what you’ve done in the master bath, with subway tiles in the shower and large-format floor tiling. How do you play with different textures and colors when using tile in bathrooms?

This primary bathroom has a real mid-century modern vibe. It’s fun to play with tile patterns in a bathroom when working with neutrals as well as the actual patterns printed on the tiles to give the room a new look.

In this case, we used a mid-century stacked tile approach in the bathroom shower that resonates in other areas of the home. The bathroom flooring is a fun play on the classic mid-century modern terrazzo tile dating back to the fifteenth century.

Tiles do not have to be colorful to add drama to a bathroom; it’s more about the pattern, style, and the installation process inside of the bathroom.

Now that working from home has become such a central part of our lives, what are some things you consider when renovating a home office?

When it comes to home offices, we really like to make these a stylish continuation of the home. We consider unique ways to hide and store away all the items you may need. A big investment is millwork, but we encourage our clients to invest in the right area to help with organization and a unique look.

We like to design walls of millwork in an office that can hide away the filing, office accessories, printer, and more! Adding some beautiful wall sconces or artwork and plants also adds warmth to a room. In this case, our clients’ professions don’t require a lot of storage and needs, so a smaller storage solution was granted with dramatic artwork.

Design by LISA KOOISTRA Photography by MIKE CHAJECKI

Lisa Kooistra is the creative director and principal designer for Lisa Kooistra Design. This multi-disciplinary sought-after GTA design firm has become known for creating exceptional well-curated interiors and custom builds. @lisakooistradesigns