Houzz Feature: 3 Ways to Add the Look of Luxury to Your Home
A Greater Toronto Area designer explains how to create a home that feels lush and inviting
Who: Kookdo Kim of Yorkshire Homes
Where: Oakville, Ontario
In his own words: “A luxurious look is not based on what you buy, but rather on how you change your space to work for you.”
Kookdo Kim of Yorkshire Homes wants to open people’s minds about designers. The designer for Yorkshire Homes in Oakville says many people think designers are only for luxury projects. “Good design is for everyone,” he says.
Creating personal spaces. Kim has been putting a personal touch on rooms since childhood, when he and his family moved often. “Even as a child, I never wanted to just settle into a space,” he says. “I wanted to make it feel like home.” Kim followed that approach amid moves to multiple homes and countries, and he now applies it to the homes he designs for others.
Following his passion. Although Kim earned a degree in economics, he realized it wasn’t for him. “I always wanted to work in a creative field,” he says. His focus is on a home’s final look, but he also works closely with the project manager to ensure the home has the same attention to detail behind the walls, from in-floor heating to soundproofing of home theatres. ”Judge the quality by how you feel in a room, not just what you see,” Kim says.
Looking for ways to add a sense of luxury to your home? Kim shares his tips below.
1. VISUALLY EXPAND A ROOM
Open up a room both horizontally and vertically to make it feel more expansive. “You want to use all your available space wisely,” Kim says.
The two-story ceiling height in this living room of a custom home in Oakville helps make the room feel bigger than it is. “You lose some space on the second floor, but the room feels more open,” Kim says. Opening up one side of the room to the kitchen also contributes to the overall flow and helps establish this area as the heart of the home.
See more of this project
2. MAKE A STATEMENT
Create a design that speaks to your aesthetics and sensibilities. The primary bathroom in this Mississauga home was already a generous size at 400 square feet, but it felt dated and didn’t match the homeowners’ style. “They wanted something dramatic,” Kim says.
French doors open up to a reworked space with a more functional layout. The large soaking tub is the focal point, and its dark metallic body sets the tone for the rest of the room, from the dark floor tiles and vanities to the brown-and-white inset tiling on the floor. An oversize shower features a bench that extends into the room, providing seating both in the shower and near the tub. Kim removed the original double-sink vanity and added separate his-and-her vanities on either side of the doors.
See more of this project
3. ADD UNEXPECTED TOUCHES
Use smaller details to create a balance between personal style and practical design that will last for years. “You want the room to work for you but not be too out there,” Kim says.
His complete remodel of this Mississauga kitchen features contemporary cabinetry and a gray, black and white colour palette. It’s a modern look that will still feel fresh in the future. He added personal touches with accents, such as the wood on the open shelving. The wood used throughout the kitchen and adjacent dining area add an organic feel that warms up the space.
See more of this project
More: For more information on Kookdo Kim and examples of his work, visit Yorkshire Homes’ Houzz profile.
