The mandate for this full home renovation was to create an open main floor by removing the wall that separated the kitchen from the entertainment area, updating all the finishes, layout & fixtures to create a warm, inviting haven for this family.
In the “before” version of this home, the cramped galley kitchen lacked storage, had the original cabinetry from when the home was built, and some basic necessities-like a dishwasher--were not part of the picture. The living & dining areas also felt like a bowling alley with dark walls and furniture that no longer suited their needs. Both the bathrooms were in need of an upgrade, and the home overall needed to reflect the homeowners love of classic decorating that would stand the test of time.
We worked with New Day Construction, beginning with some exterior updates, and then moving into the lower level to create a zone for the family to dwell once the renovations began on the main floor.
For the renovation aspect, we did not modify any rooms other than the kitchen. Opening the kitchen up to the living and dining rooms allowed us to add a significant amount of storage by closing up the original entryway from the foyer to the kitchen, eliminating the eat-in portion of the kitchen and extending the millwork into this entire zone. We also added access to the back yard with a new door… one of the client’s must-haves. An island with seating is now a favorite spot to perch during dinner prep.
New flooring throughout the home provided an instant update from the wall-to-wall carpeting that was there before. The size of the lower-level bathroom was increased by taking some space from the adjacent laundry room, providing a larger shower, storage, and a wider vanity…all family must-haves in a busy household! Upstairs, we created a luxurious feeling with champagne gold fixtures, a bespoke white oak vanity, and custom glass door for the shower & tub.
Once all these details had been put into place, we started with the decorating aspect of this home renovation. New paint colors freshened up each room, custom blinds and drapery by BKZ Décor added privacy and softness throughout the entire home. Custom sofas, chairs, and all the décor accessories were carefully curated to showcase the homeowners love of traditional design, warm & inviting atmosphere, and pops of color.
Personal touches abound throughout the home, as it is always important to us that the decorating tells a story. We highlighted the roots of this family’s heritage with a gallery wall in the dining room showcasing images of family lines from small towns in Sicily and Nova Scotia. The custom printed canvas in the foyer is one from Uganda, where the homeowners were once missionaries and still visit often. Furniture that was handed down from her parents was reconfigured and repainted and their family dining table was the one piece that we kept from the before the reno.
No room was untouched in this full home renovation, and now the updated home truly reflects the homeowners perfectly. Here is what they had to say in working with us:
“Our main goal in hiring an interior designer—especially someone whose work we already admired—was to create a space that felt both beautiful and functional, tailored to our style but elevated in ways we wouldn’t have achieved on our own. I have no sense of design at all and felt overwhelmed thinking of making everything come together, so I knew I needed help from someone with a clear vision and professional expertise.
That goal was absolutely met. Emanuela brought a fresh perspective and guided us through every decision, helping us avoid costly mistakes and giving us the confidence to move forward. The final result feels uniquely “us”—something I never could have pulled off all myself.
The best part of working with Bella Casa Interiors was how she helped ease our fears of making a design mistake. What truly sets her services apart is how intuitive she is; she quickly picked up on our style and preferences, even when we struggled to articulate them ourselves. We absolutely trusted her professional opinion. Her guidance and reassurance made the entire process feel less overwhelming, and in the end, we felt confident and thrilled with every decision.”
Photography by Cathy Koop Photography
