When Arlene and David bought their new house in Varsity Estates, they saw more than just a 1998 home with good bones. They saw potential.
Their goal was simple: make it feel like them. They wanted clean lines, a bright kitchen, a relaxing suite, and rooms that worked for real life. We were happy to help them bring that dream to life.
Hello and welcome. I’m Michelle, CEO and Principal Designer at Room Service Interiors. We work with homeowners throughout Cochrane, Calgary, Bearspaw, and surrounding areas to help them create homes that reflect their stories and experiences. As a full-service interior design studio, we specialize in thoughtful, personalized spaces that blend function with beauty.
This Varsity Estates home renovation was about more than new paint or fixtures. It was about creating a calm, modern place where they could enjoy life now and in the future.
We began by exploring design ideas with the clients, who initially gravitated towards the cool grey palettes they were seeing on Pinterest. However, as we worked through the design process, we encouraged them to embrace warmer tones that aligned with their natural preferences. This led to a striking olive hue for the kitchen’s base cabinets and the panelled living room wall—adding warmth and sophistication to the main floor.
The kitchen layout was reimagined within its existing footprint for better flow, with updated cabinetry offering additional storage solutions and clean sightlines between the kitchen and living room. While we often recommend removing corner pantries, Trish wanted to keep hers and we encouraged her to lean into what she loves, choosing to feature it with a custom maple door.
In the living room, we replaced the bulky, mismatched furniture with a more cohesive arrangement. Two beloved occasional chairs were reupholstered in a soft cream and lavender fabric to tie into the custom drapes and the newly wallpapered dining room. These thoughtful updates created a harmonious blend of old and new, giving the space a fresh yet familiar feel.
The dining room underwent a subtle but impactful transformation. To brighten the space and make it more inviting, we added chair rail detailing, stunning Thibaut Katsura wallpaper, and a large mirror to reflect light and open up the room. Reupholstered dining chairs, inherited from Trish’s grandmother, now complement the room’s softer, more welcoming aesthetic. Judicious styling made this once-dark room a focal point of the home.
The final transformation is nothing short of breathtaking. The new kitchen is bright, serene, and open, with custom wood details that echo throughout the space, creating a sense of flow and cohesion. The living room is now a warm, inviting space perfect for gatherings or quiet evenings in. Antiques passed down from family have been supplemented with new furnishings and in some cases, fresh upholstery, to create a main floor renovation that now says, “Come on in.”
Trish and Brad’s home has become a place where they can easily entertain friends, host family dinners, or simply enjoy their newfound quiet time. The project not only achieved their wish for a refreshed home but also added timeless elegance that feels personal and luxurious.