Urban Townhome Makeover
This project was a true blank canvas — a contemporary townhome in downtown Calgary that we completely reimagined from the inside out. Every corner was transformed, from the layout and sightlines to the smallest finishing details. The goal was to create a home that feels cohesive, sophisticated, and effortlessly modern while maintaining a warm, welcoming atmosphere.
We began by rethinking the volumetry and movement of the space. By opening sightlines and aligning architectural transitions, we established a natural flow between the living, dining, and kitchen areas. The once compartmentalized layout evolved into a connected, light-filled sequence of rooms that breathe together. Each zone is defined not by walls, but by design cues — color, texture, and proportion — creating harmony without losing intimacy.
Spatial Planning
Functionality guided every decision. Circulation paths were refined for ease of movement, furniture arrangements were scaled precisely to balance openness and comfort, and visual continuity between floors was achieved through consistent finishes and rhythmic lighting. The staircase, now painted in crisp white, acts as both a vertical connector and a sculptural feature, grounding the double-height living area with elegance.
Functionality guided every decision. Circulation paths were refined for ease of movement, furniture arrangements were scaled precisely to balance openness and comfort, and visual continuity between floors was achieved through consistent finishes and rhythmic lighting. The staircase, now painted in crisp white, acts as both a vertical connector and a sculptural feature, grounding the double-height living area with elegance.
Material & Finish Selection
We selected a palette of wide-plank wood flooring with subtle honey undertones that extend throughout the main level, tying together spaces and adding a natural warmth underfoot. Clean white walls and light grey accents provide a serene canvas for the curated furniture and artwork. Soft, matte textures contrast with reflective surfaces like glass, brushed metal, and lacquered finishes to achieve a balanced visual rhythm.
We selected a palette of wide-plank wood flooring with subtle honey undertones that extend throughout the main level, tying together spaces and adding a natural warmth underfoot. Clean white walls and light grey accents provide a serene canvas for the curated furniture and artwork. Soft, matte textures contrast with reflective surfaces like glass, brushed metal, and lacquered finishes to achieve a balanced visual rhythm.
Lighting Design
Lighting became the quiet hero of this design. A layered approach — ambient, task, and accent lighting — ensures each space can adapt beautifully from morning light to evening glow. Pendant lighting above the dining table adds sculptural interest, while warm-toned lamps create pockets of coziness in bedrooms and corners. The black-framed glass doors introduce subtle industrial contrast, diffusing light between rooms while maintaining privacy.
Lighting became the quiet hero of this design. A layered approach — ambient, task, and accent lighting — ensures each space can adapt beautifully from morning light to evening glow. Pendant lighting above the dining table adds sculptural interest, while warm-toned lamps create pockets of coziness in bedrooms and corners. The black-framed glass doors introduce subtle industrial contrast, diffusing light between rooms while maintaining privacy.
Color & Texture Story
A muted base of neutrals is punctuated with expressive accents of teal, charcoal, and mustard — tones that give the interiors a fresh yet grounded character. The living room throws and cushions bring in vibrant teal hues that tie back to the bedroom palette, creating a sense of visual continuity throughout the home. A curated gallery wall adds personality and warmth to the bedrooms, blending inspiration, typography, and monochrome photography in a modern arrangement.
A muted base of neutrals is punctuated with expressive accents of teal, charcoal, and mustard — tones that give the interiors a fresh yet grounded character. The living room throws and cushions bring in vibrant teal hues that tie back to the bedroom palette, creating a sense of visual continuity throughout the home. A curated gallery wall adds personality and warmth to the bedrooms, blending inspiration, typography, and monochrome photography in a modern arrangement.
Styling & Finishing Touches
Every accessory was chosen with intention — from the yellow roses adding vibrancy to the nightstand, to the minimalist black-framed artwork that anchors the sitting areas. Soft textiles, sculptural décor, and natural elements like plants and wood vases contribute to an environment that feels lived-in yet refined. The result is an atmosphere of quiet sophistication, where every space tells part of the same story.
Furniture & Spatial Character
The furniture selection plays a major role in defining the home’s rhythm and comfort. Streamlined pieces with soft edges, like the grey sectional and curved teal chair, bring a sculptural quality without overpowering the layout. Each item was chosen for its proportion, tone, and tactile appeal — creating a dialogue between structure and softness. The mix of modern silhouettes with subtle mid-century influences gives the rooms a timeless identity while keeping them distinctly urban.
Every accessory was chosen with intention — from the yellow roses adding vibrancy to the nightstand, to the minimalist black-framed artwork that anchors the sitting areas. Soft textiles, sculptural décor, and natural elements like plants and wood vases contribute to an environment that feels lived-in yet refined. The result is an atmosphere of quiet sophistication, where every space tells part of the same story.
Furniture & Spatial Character
The furniture selection plays a major role in defining the home’s rhythm and comfort. Streamlined pieces with soft edges, like the grey sectional and curved teal chair, bring a sculptural quality without overpowering the layout. Each item was chosen for its proportion, tone, and tactile appeal — creating a dialogue between structure and softness. The mix of modern silhouettes with subtle mid-century influences gives the rooms a timeless identity while keeping them distinctly urban.
Atmosphere & Flow
We focused on crafting an atmosphere that evolves with light and time of day. Morning sunlight filters through the blinds, highlighting the warmth of the wood floors, while evening lighting transforms the space into a cozy retreat. The palette feels serene yet full of depth — layered with materials that invite touch and comfort. In the open areas, the visual flow draws the eye naturally from one space to another, while in the bedrooms, the mood shifts to intimacy, with tactile fabrics and serene compositions that encourage rest and reflection.
The Result
The completed design embodies the essence of modern urban living — minimal yet expressive, clean yet layered. It’s a townhome that feels like a sanctuary in the city: open, luminous, and full of thoughtful details that enhance daily living. The mix of textures, the balance of light and shadow, and the intentional color accents make this project one that feels both timeless and deeply personal.
We focused on crafting an atmosphere that evolves with light and time of day. Morning sunlight filters through the blinds, highlighting the warmth of the wood floors, while evening lighting transforms the space into a cozy retreat. The palette feels serene yet full of depth — layered with materials that invite touch and comfort. In the open areas, the visual flow draws the eye naturally from one space to another, while in the bedrooms, the mood shifts to intimacy, with tactile fabrics and serene compositions that encourage rest and reflection.
The Result
The completed design embodies the essence of modern urban living — minimal yet expressive, clean yet layered. It’s a townhome that feels like a sanctuary in the city: open, luminous, and full of thoughtful details that enhance daily living. The mix of textures, the balance of light and shadow, and the intentional color accents make this project one that feels both timeless and deeply personal.
