Name: Lori Andrews & Ken Corner
Location: Inner City, Calgary, Alberta
Size: 1100 square feet
Years lived in: 10 years; Owned
Change is an important element of every designer's life. The nature of growth as an artist or designer is imbedded in the changes in our work, our home, our cultural surroundings, etc. It's so interesting to me to see the lifespan of a space as its owners live and grow in their own tastes, and I'm delighted to bring you a lovely example of a home that illustrates this organic change in design perfectly.
Lori and Ken's home was featured here on Apartment Therapy in 2009 and four years later, the space is more elegant and creative than ever. As an established photographer and interior designer (Ken has his own investment firm), Lori uses her home as a canvas for her work and ideas. However, these aesthetic changes didn't happen overnight, says Lori: "It has taken us ten years to get the house we really wanted, as we have to budget and save for every additional piece."
It's comforting to know that wise decisions, impeccable taste and hard work can produce such elegant results. "Our design philosophy is simple. We only purchase quality handmade goods that we can track the entire manufacturing process of. We feel it our responsibility to ensure that we do not purchase items that may have been manufactured by underpaid (or underage) labor, and prefer items in which the companies involved attempt to minimize their environmental impact. We also like to purchase vintage goods and refurbish them ourselves."
Despite being a smaller home, Lori and Ken's home seems much larger due to the placement of the furniture. Each piece flows into the other, introducing you to the next room. I also love the smart details here and there (I loved finding little monkeys in the photos), the DIY projects and bold pops of color among the expanses of clean, white space.
Apartment Therapy Survey:
Our Style: Mid-century contemporary.
Inspiration: New York lofts and European apartments, as well as Canadiana.
Favorite Element: The Ash floors.
Biggest Challenge: Choosing elements and furnishings that we can live with forever.
What Friends Say: They tell us they really like it, in particular the vaulted ceilings, the pops of color and the simplicity of our home. We never have trouble finding house sitters when we travel.
Biggest Embarrassment: I wallpapered the main wall in the dining area. Then I took it down.
Proudest DIY: I designed the dining table, and Ken's father built the metal legs.
Biggest Indulgence: The artwork. We love to collect artwork by our friends and also by mid-career Canadian artists. The walls are nearly full though, so the collecting will stop soon.
Best Advice: Save up to buy quality items that will last a lifetime.
Dream Sources: Design Within Reach, David Weeks, Avenue Road and The Rug Company.
Resources of Note:
PAINT & COLORS
- • Benjamin Moore - Oxford White (Great room)
• Benjamin Moore- Chelsea Gray (Bedroom)
• Benjamin Moore- Million Dollar Red (Door)
LIVING ROOM
- • Sofa- Montauk
• Pierre Paulin Tulip Chaise- Kit Interior Objects
• Custom credenza- Speke Klein- Kit Interior Objects
• Floor lamp vintage
• Saarinen side table- Kit Interior Objects
• Large Deer painting- Margaux Williamson- Skew Gallery
• Herman Miller desk- Kit Interior Objects
• Jielde lamp- to the trade
• Wall sconces- David Weeks Boi sconce
• Toss cushions- custom
BATHROOM
- • Yellow Wardrobe- Ikea, painted
• Round wood vanity and sink- Art of Hardware
• Wishbone chair- Kit Interior Objects, sale rack
KITCHEN
- • Chairs- De La Espada- Domicile
• Table- custom
• Small Cabinet- Custom Speke Klein- Kit Interior Objects
• Bubble lights over island- Omega S40 pendants
• Barstools- Modernica
• Cabinets came with the house, we painted them glossy white (as did the absolute Black granite)
• Tiles were cut down to squares and installed in a random pattern
• Framed polaroids- custom made
• Chandelier- sale rack
• Clock- Vitra
BEDROOM
- • Bed- Ikea
Side tables- Jonathan Adler
Lockers- vintage, repainted glossy red
Vintage Chair- Uniquities
Grandpa the Pope painting- Lori Andrews
Blanket on bed- Brahms Mount
Toss cushions- Kit Interior Objects
OTHER
- • Spare loft bedroom-
• HBC points blanket
• Basement- Papa Bear chair- Kit Interior Objects
• Engineered Hardwood Floors in Ash- KÄHRS
Thanks, Lori & Ken!
(Images: Lori Andrews)
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Yay, Calgary!
Funky! And stylish and insanely clean (my Mother would approve). I love the tile in your kitchen among many other things. The white with the wood floors is stunning.
Also, I really want to do what you did with the framed Polaroids, but I'm afraid it's going to cost too much for my budget. I have three walls in the hallway for it, so it's a bit of a project. But I love yours, just would like to have a close shot of the photos. I'm betting they are fantastic shots.
Mary E. I arranged them in order and had my framer do them up under plexi. This might be a good time to learn how to make your own frame? It was cost effective for me as I get a discount as an interior designer. If you made it yourself- (about $80.00 for plexi, frame about $190.00 and the foamcore back would be about $25.00)
Thank you for your reply on that! I really appreciate it. I'm going to try and make my own and had actually considered buying just foam board and pinning photos to it. But I truly love the way yours looks framed. I just have so many photos not to do something like what you've done.
Seeing a home like this reminds me how different we all are. I cannot picture people relaxing in that space, but I'm sure they do. Love this site. Thank you for sharing,
Stunning photos! Stunning home!
nice house, love the vintage items scattered around.
Love your shoes as well ;-)
I just need to know where you got those jeans! Love!
Celeste C- BCBGeneration. (a gift from my friend Brie)
inneedofmakeover- 9West
There's a lot to like here, for sure, starting with those floors. (Our place didn't truly begin to take shape until we splurged and replaced the existing wall-to-wall carpeting with site-finished oak.) Seeing the exterior shots from the tour of '09 tickled me a bit. I wouldn't have ever thought that interior was in that 1902s (?) house. (When was it built, by the way?)
I take it that your neighborhood was pretty well built out early in the 20th century, then? With houses on smallish lots? Such were the districts people couldn't get out of fast enough in the 1950s and '60s; now they're the places to be. Makes me wonder what will happen with the early post-war suburbs over the next few decades.
Ooops, meant to say "1920s." (Why can't we edit these darned things?)
I'm interested in the pants too! Love them!
Glinda- it's around 1912. Yes, my neighborhood has smaller lots. everyone sits "out front" and plays in the front yards. It's rather fairytale like. The previous owners removed much of the attic for the vaulted ceilings. I assume it used to be broken down into much smaller rooms. We love the open design.
so so gorgeous. love the pop of primary colors and the deer accents : )
Gotta love Calgary!!! Very nice home, love what you did to the Ikea cabinet, the yellow is great
Lori, I've seen bits and pieces of your place through Instagram and am so happy that it was featured again here so I could see more! I especially love the bright pops like the yellow cabinet and the repurposed red lockers. I've been looking for something similar but haven't found an affordable piece yet. Thanks for "letting us in"!
Having now gone back and read the text from the 2009 posting, I see that a previous owner did the major reworking of the interior, but that some of the work was less than first rate.
While there's lots to be said for "period-correct" restorations, I'm not one to live in a museum. I'm all about open, airy, light living spaces, but finding such an interior in an older house isn't the easiest undertaking. Coming across a century-old house that's already had such extensive interior remodeling carried out would solve that dilemma.
very nice!! I can't read the "How to be Happy" poster. Where is it from? Looks similar to Popchart lab
you can buy it at moodgadget jen64
Love it.
Also, those shoes are INSANE. I wish I could wear them. Too bad as a 6 foot tall woman they're pretty much not an option. Enjoy!
how did you take the shot from above? balcony?
To the adorable couple...I am in love with your home! It aesthetic reads that you're not taking it all too seriously. I wonder if that isn't THE key to good design. I think it might just be. ;)
donkenzie- I adore that they make me 6 foot 1!
residentgeek- I rigged a boom on one of the ceiling beams
Chalkeri- indeed, we have fun in life and our home is for living in
LOVE! It looks so much bigger than 1100sqft. Perfect amount of color in all the right places. Nicely done!
Yes cute jeans. (Also cute husband:)
Love the yellow in the bathroom!
I love so many things in your beautifully styled home... Especially the art above the sofa. :)
I really,really love this home! The only thing I didnt care for was the animal rug,I just cant get into those.Wasnt a huge fan of the red locker either,but honestly,those would be the only things Id change!
Great space! Love all the pops of color...and the art placement.
Is that a bus roll blanket draped over the arm of the sofa?
If so......where can I get one?
Great house. I feel like I can tell what the layout is from the way the photos are taken. How does the awesome loft bed fit in with everything else?
James from The CavenderDiary- it's a David Fussenegger (out of production)
1952Ranch- it's in the basement. Bed sits over a boulder I assume (not dug out)
I like the way that they use the color!
I love this apartment. It's very colourful and not overly staged.
I love the apartment - I like the sense of whimsy and the pops of color. I'm guessing though that there are no children living there because then the ever so carefully placed vintage toys would be replaced with randomly strewn Legos and Fisher Price trucks.
What is Canadiana? Is Calgary very remote? Sounds cold.
Your kitchen is gleaming!! How do you do that? We're looking for art to fill up empty walls in our new place, and have been hoping to fall in love with a piece some time soon. As a Canadian living in Europe, I am very interested in these "mid-career Canadian artists" you mention. Could you perhaps give me a few names?
It's nice to see how previous house tours have changed over the years. Question to Lori: When you say you painted the cupboards glossy white, did you paint it white and lacquer/wax afterwards? And I'm assuming you didn't brush paint it? Spray? I'm thinking of doing something similar so it would be great to know what actually works. Like the bubble lights too. Nice touch, Lori!
Fantastic place, love everything, great art collection.
+1 on the kitchen tile. Love it.
Qzie- I recommend you start a conversation with SQ commons https://www.facebook.com/SqCommons & also check out my fav Toronto gallery http://www.katharinemulherin.com/
Smaku- It was a 3 part lacquer process. Not the most environmental choice to begin with (you will need a well ventilated space and full gear) but so much tougher that the end result will last much much longer. see image for visual representation- http://www.flickr.com/photos/theproletariatdesigner/3557588597/in/set-72157618189025654/lightbox/
Awesome space. {I thought the sign in the bathroom said "Do not feed or "taste" the monkeys"...oops.} I would love to see the floor plan {as always...}
I adore this Woman...Her selfies and humour are the best...
Newfoundlander/Canadian so I appreciate seeing Canadian homes. Thanks to all.
Ps. Also love all the painted wood/trim since the last tour...
Wow, I love this home! I love the quirky use of colour. What a great way to infuse life into a fair modern design, which so often tends to be sterile bright whites and harsh blacks. As a side note, Lori you look fantastic! I love your style. Thanks for representing Canada. :)
Such a fun home!
awesome papa bear chair and elevated bed.
That is so good! As Canada is a bilingual country...
Bravo aux propriétaires, c'est vraiment réussi, agréable, cool. On a juste le goût d'y vivre. J'apprécie particulièrement la cuisine, elle est fraîche, dynamique, pratique. Même les jean's sont magnifiques!
Lori, your home is beautiful. Also, I'm sure you've heard this before, but you're a dead ringer for Lisa Loeb.
I agree - I love Lori's pants! If only I were as tall and lean!
I was so happy to see a Calgary home featured here, and I really thought you looked familiar, Lori. After looking through the slideshow, it became clear that we're neighbours! Our house is the yellow one visible through the front window of the 2009 tour. I've been curious about the interior of this house since the tiny glimpses I've caught through the windows suggest that it's pretty cool. And it is! Beautiful, bright and modern...I love it! Well done Lori & Ken, maybe we'll see you out in the front yard once the neighbourhood comes out of winter hibernation.
How do you get into that first shower? It looks like you'd have to stand in the bathtub while you open the door! Or open the door really wide maybe, letting out all the warm and the steam. It doesn't look comfy, especially for a cold place like Calgary.
never stop collecting art!
ankuchma! haha, hello neighbor!
Caroline- merci!
As a Calgarian I am so excited to see a house from my 'hood on AT. Represent! Trying to figure out which 'inner city' neighbourhood this is - I have probably walked by your house a zillion times in my life and never known what was inside. So cool!
It's a gorgeous home, well-loved and well-curated... with a sense of humor. I have followed 10 Cent on Flickr for several years and was so excited to see her home featured here.