Social media has become a space for connecting and communicating. Like-minded individuals find a community in sharing words and images through social media. Businesses spread information about products and services, which is just what designer Ashley Izsak’s popular Instagram account, @ashleyizsak, has done for her multi-faceted design business.
With over 25K followers, Ashley inspires her audience with client projects and bits of her own personal design journey. This caught the attention of a couple who’d been on the hunt for a designer for the remodeling of their Grenfell Glen mid-century house. It wasn’t just Ashley’s views on design that the couple were aligned with, they too believed in the powers of social media. The couple met on Twitter, so it only seemed fitting that they’d find the person who was going to help them create a dream home via social sharing.
Despite all these modern influences, the home itself is grounded in history. The couple bought it from the original owners, who had maintained it but hadn’t done any renovations in over 60 years. The time to had come to bring it into the 21st century.
“The owners wanted to create a warm, contemporary feeling to the space,” Ashley shares. Her vision connected perfectly with theirs.
The project began in early March of 2020, before the pandemic hit, and what should have been smooth suddenly turned complicated. Thanks to the ability to make quick decisions, and a few adjustments along the way, Ashley managed to turn out a beautifully executed renovation. The homeowners found the process so inspiring they got engaged halfway through.
The transitional feeling of urban contemporary style is evident throughout the home. While the budget was generous it still offered restrictions. Ashley went with an IKEA kitchen and added custom cabinet doors from Swedish Doors. “This allowed us to achieve a custom look,” states Ashley.
The kitchen is a standout in the open space. Detailing like gables, paneling, glass doors and an appliance garage all add to the ‘wow’ factor of the space. The white cabinets hold on to a classic look while the grey island, painted in Benjamin Moore Gentleman’s Gray, contrasts with moody intrigue. Both elements are pulled together beautifully through the quartz countertops and backsplash. The hood fan is an outstanding feature. “The veins in the quartz pop behind the white hood fan,” remarks Ashley.
Brushed brass hardware steals the show while the nickel faucet and pot filler settle into the background. It’s a design trick that Ashley incorporated to help the project stay on budget. “I chose polished nickel for its long-lasting appeal. I usually lean towards timeless choices with big ticket items,” reveals Ashley.
The two bathrooms offer plenty of Instagram-worthy style. The black faucets have that something extra without costing a fortune. All the flooring was replaced and offers details that are noteworthy throughout the entire house. The herringbone patterned tile on the kitchen floor unifies the overall look and feel of the home. It all comes together by holding onto elements of mid-century roots while still transitioning into the next century.
The lockdown offered complications; there were delays and reselections when product was no longer available but, ultimately, the project pays tribute to the powers of connecting with the right person, in the right place, at the right time.