Lori & Ken’s Modern Calgary Home

published Feb 18, 2013

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(Image credit: Lori Andrews)

(Image credit: Apartment Therapy)

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.

(Image credit: Lori Andrews)

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.