House Tours
Before & After: A Young Homeowner Infuses 'Modern Heritage' Style Into Her Grandmother's Old Abode
Photography by Michelle Johnson
House Tours
Before & After: A Young Homeowner Infuses 'Modern Heritage' Style Into Her Grandmother's Old Abode
Passed down from the homeowner’s grandmother, this decades-old Calgary home was in dire need of a gut right down to the studs.
“The home hadn't been touched or updated since the late ‘60s, so it was a literal time warp with blue shag carpeting, metallic wallpaper and the original sheet linoleum kitchen floor,” says designer Lori Sellmer.
Now the homebase for a young couple ready to start a family, Sellmer was enlisted to open up the layout and infused contemporary aesthetics.
“The design marries the couple's different design styles,” says the principal designer and founder of Lori Sellmer Design. “One loves traditional elements and warm detailed European influences, with the other being drawn to more modern and eclectic designs with bolder colours and patterns.”
With nods to the past—including the grandmother’s refurbished dining table and a plaster range hood—and glimmers of the present—like the blue-drenched kitchen and impactful powder room—the result is a “modern heritage” fusion.
Photography by Michelle Johnson
The kitchen is a prime example of the blended traditional and contemporary design. An arched plaster range hood—the room’s statement piece—is soft and textural yet notable.
A deep blue-green-grey drenches the custom cabinetry, which includes an oversized appliance garage and a furniture-style hutch. “These, combined with a 10-foot island and a floor-to-ceiling pantry in the hallway to the powder room and mudroom, created the generous storage the family needed,” says Sellmer.
Photography by Michelle Johnson
The open-concept living and dining area is long and unique, presenting a “design puzzle” for the designer. While a refurbished layout was a must, the homeowners requested that the original brick fireplace stay in place.
“Rather than compete with it, we chose to elevate it,” says Sellmer. “We added a new wood mantle, painted the brick for a cleaner backdrop, and capped the former slate-and-brick hearth in a striking Brazilian quartzite that instantly modernizes the feature.”
The fireplace is a unifying feature for the living and dining areas, but the spaces still feel distinct. A generous sectional creates a “natural conversational zone” that feels innately cozy. The opposing dining room features a mango wood sideboard that invites warmth and texture.
Photography by Michelle Johnson
The bold room has an eclectic punch. “We went with a modern take on traditional floral wallpaper to bring drama without feeling too formal,” says Sellmer.
Quartzite countertops add natural texture and a hint of luxury while the warm, European-inspired vanity balances the statement-making wallpaper.
“The result is a moody, memorable room rooted in classic style with a fresh, modern edge,” says Sellmer.
Photography by Michelle Johnson
The adjoining mudroom is fun and playful. “Patterned tile flooring introduces a geometric, almost mid-century flair, balanced by practical built-ins and woven storage baskets for warmth,” says Sellmer.
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