Vickie Bilodeau, vice-president, BNB Construction Inc., and her husband Benoit, in her kitchen, one of their favourite rooms at home in Saint-Joseph-du-lac, Quebec, May 7, 2015.Christinne Muschi
I draw, you build. That's the professional motto embraced by Vickie Bilodeau and her husband, Benoit Guindon, who own and operate bnb Construction in Saint-Joseph-du-Lac, just east of Montreal in the Laurentians. Three years ago, the couple put their maxim to the test on the homefront, as they embarked on a four-bedroom new-build to accommodate their growing family. Bilodeau drafted the plans and Guindon delivered on an open-concept main floor that brings the family close together when they're all at home. Even when Bilodeau is behind the stove in its spacious kitchen, she can keep an eye on the kids, in particular their 18-month-old twin boys. "It's the most important room in the house," says Bilodeau, who loves to cook. "I spend most of my time there."
The cathedral ceiling
"I wanted a cathedral ceiling to create a sense of expanded space. I designed the beams myself, too. They have strong lines and help to define the room."
The oven
"I love to cook, so I have two ovens; the other one is under the hood. They are both from IKEA. I love them. They work well and look great in my kitchen."
The island
"It's really big – 8 by 4 feet – and it serves a lot of purposes. I use it for food preparation and also for some of the paperwork I do for my husband's company. The surrounding cabinetry is from IKEA, a style called ADEL. But I created the look myself, using IKEA's online design software. I added extra details like kick moulding and black pulls by Richelieu on the drawers. The countertop is quartz and it's great for making pie pastry."
The range hood
"It's really big and imposing on purpose – almost like a piece of sculpture. I created it in my head. It's made of MDF and painted the same off-white colour as the rest of the kitchen."
The lighting
"It's outdoor lighting that I brought inside. I wanted something black and with the light flow pointing downward toward the stove, but I could only find what I was looking for in an exterior fixture. I got two and mounted them to the wall. They're by BMR, a hardware-lumber company in Quebec."
The backsplash
"This is off-white brick that I didn't have to paint. I found it at Montréal Brique et Pierre. In this room I have combined stainless-steel appliances, which are modern, with the rough surface of these bricks, which are more traditional-looking. I like the combination. I think it gives the room personality."
The mantra
"Relax is what I say to myself when I'm in the kitchen. 'Hey Vickie, don't worry. Take it easy. You have four kids. Everything's going to be fine.' When I look at that, I remind myself to breathe."
The kitchen sink and faucet
"Both are by Royale. The faucet is industrial-looking and the sink is an undermount. It's very deep, so water doesn't splash on me when I am washing glasses. That I appreciate."