Hooked on Basement Family Rooms… and Candice!

Hooked on Basement Family Rooms… and Candice!

As many of our DesignTies readers know, my husband and I have been putting a great deal of energy into the hardscaping work in our front yard (the tree stump came out today – come back to DesignTies this weekend and I’ll share!!). But you know… even though we won’t be starting until later in August… I can’t stop thinking about one of our projects-in-waiting, the renovation of our basement family room. One reason it’s in my head ~ well, I LOVE planning and designing home remodelling projects! Another reason ~ the new replacement windows for this room arrived yesterday and Brian will likely install them (along with my new kitchen window!!!) next week!!

And then wouldn’t you know it… today I opened my email to find my regular HGTV e-newsletter featuring basement family room makeovers by Candice Olson.

How perfect!

Inspiration - just when I need it - from a designer that I’M HOOKED ON!!

More perfection… I get to share some of Candice’s work with our DesignTies readers AND participate in Julia’s Hooked on Friday’s blog party!! Be sure to make your way over to Julia’s blog – Hooked on Houses – to see what over bloggers are hooked on this Friday!

I think this family room is lovely… and a true representation of Candice’s classic, sophisticated style!

Did you know that Candice was Canadian? How fantastic is that?! Here’s an interesting fact: while working on her Bachelor of Science degree at the University of Calgary (in the province of Alberta) Candice travelled the globe as a member of the Canadian National Volleyball Team!

Wouldn’t you love to kick back and watch a movie in this slick and lux family room?!

Soon after graduating from UofC Candice made her way to Toronto, Ontario, where she attended the renowned Ryerson University’s School of Interior Design… and as you can well imagine, she was considered a remarkable talent upon graduation and was sought after by top Canadian interior design firms.

French Provence with a contemporary twist… love it!

I read that in 1994 Candice established her own residential and commercial design practice, Candice Olson Design (couldn’t find a website so not sure if she still has a firm). And, of course… we all know her from her fantastic program Devine Design (broadcast in Canada on W Network and in the US on HGTV). Really cool ~ this season she’ll be one of 3 judges on HGTV’s (in the US) Design Star. I can’t wait until this program is broadcast in Canada!!

Fresh, bright beach-inspired basement family room complete with a wet-bar… yep, I can hang here!

Candice has been able to capitalize on her significant design talent and her “Candice Olson” brand success by launching some of her own product collections… an upholstered furniture line for Norwalk Furniture Idea; a line of fabric from Kravet (I’ve always LOVED and ADMIRED Candice’s taste in fabrics and her ability to pair/group patterns/textures); a lighting collection with AF Lighting; area rugs ~ Candice Olson Rugs; a wallpaper line for York Wallcoverings (I almost purchased a beautiful leafy paper for my bedroom wall but silly me… I allowed Brian to talk me out of it… darn!); and, most recently, a case good, occasional and table line (made from wood and mixed materials) with Revco International. Talk about a busy and successful woman!

What a stunning fireplace! Whether it’s your taste or not, it definitely captures attention!!

Here’s a design tip from Candice Olson: Before you hire a designer, find out what you like. It’s not uncommon for people to be unable to articulate what their style is. Create a scrapbook or binder full of magazine clippings, fabrics and photos of designs that catch your eye. A homeowner who has done their homework really helps a designer.

This basement hangout was designed for family that loves their sports!

When I was searching out some information on Candice Olson I came across a great blog post about her fantastic design – check it out yourself on My Notting Hill

Of all the basement spaces I’m sharing this could be my favourite… it’s the fabulous orange walls!

Tell me… are you HOOKED on Candice Olson, too?!

I definitely have lots of inspiration for my family room!! Of course, don’t expect anything as fantastic as a Candice Olson room!! ;-)

I have made one design decision though…

While I’m totally excited about transforming our front yard this summer, I’m itching to get started in the basement… and I’m not very good at the waiting game!! So today I purchased what will be a key design element in the family room… the “Besta” bookcase system from Ikea (different configuration from the setup on the right… and maybe the same doors [haven’t purchased doors yet… what do you think of this style?]). I know… it’s crazy to be buying large items for a room that hasn’t even been created yet (we have to demo and rebuild for gosh sakes!). Problem: we’re living in reno chaos upstairs, with stuff that belongs in our basement rooms strewn around our main floor. So… I’ll put a component of the Besta system together in the dining room and stack the shelves with stuff!! I’m determined to create a little organization in this place, even if it’s not pretty… yet!! HaHa!!

Okay… time to send you back to Julia’s blog party headquarters: Hooked on Houses. Thanks for the Hooked on Friday gathering Julia!!

Victoria from Edin Interiors

Original article and pictures take design-ties.blogspot.ca site