Saskatoon style heats up when an outdated interior gets whipped into shape and achieves a stately hotel - chic look that doesnt shy away from glamour.

After years of living in lofts and condos, Curtis Elmy and Trevor Ciona were intent on owning a fully detached home. Eight months into their search, though, the couple realized that it would be a lot easier said than done. The Saskatoon real estate market was booming at the time and finding a home at all, not to mention one they liked, was a real challenge. "When we eventually found this house," recalls Curtis, "it had the most bland and boring interior youve ever seen!" But the home had huge windows overlooking the Saskatchewan River, and the couple was sold. "You can redesign a house," says Trevor with a laugh, "but you cant create a view as gorgeous as this." 

Co - owners of Saskatoons stylish Atmosphere Interior Design, Curtis and Trevor knew that they were up to the task of updating the tired interior and adding a touch of personality.

The couple first embarked on a fast - forward gut job that started with removing closets from the homes entryway. "A lot of people are horrified at the prospect of removing closets. But the truth is, they take up a lot of space and, from an architectural point of view, they often detract from a rooms appearance," says Trevor. "Im not saying you shouldnt have closets at all - just that you need fewer than you think." So it was an easy decision to remove the entryways closets, making it feel like less of a bedroom, much more spacious and, well, welcoming.

Throughout the house, the pair continued their mission to visually expand the interior, removing walls encasing the foyer, family room and dining room. To accentuate the soaring ceilings of the great room, they built a fireplace with a towering 16 - foot - high millwork surround extension thats added a focal point to the space. Adding crown moulding and wider baseboards here and throughout the rest of the house has leant it a more refined, finished air.

One small change that had a huge impact was replacing the existing wood banister - and - spindle railing with an open metal key - lock version. It gives the house that hip, modern appearance reigned by geometries that became the jumping - off point for the rest of the decor. "Its funny, but that small change is what really drove our aesthetic," says Trevor. They chose the railing to create a strong visual statement, its key - lock design playing into their love of Kelly Wearstler fabrics, which, like the railing, are bold and geometric, yet have a glamorous, vintage vibe. Together, these elements served as the baseline for a home that is stylish, not stuffy. Now geometries appear, in one form or another, in every room in the house, dutifully displayed in reliefs that are either oversized or petite, round or square, but all unified by their colour story: blacks, greys and whites.

Offsetting this? Touches of yellow and gold, everywhere! "Gold introduces warmth to what would otherwise be a very cold palette," explains Trevor. So in this haute home, youll find gold on benches and mirror frames, cushions and lamps, books and other objels. The idea for gold accents came from Curtis and Trevors love of fashion magazines, where the pair sources ample inspiration from their pages. "When youre looking for ideas in your favourite decorating magazines, dont forget to look to fashion, too. fts our secret weapon! You can learn so much about how fabric patterns and tones work together by looking at clothing," says Trevor.

Another Curtis - and - Trevor recommendation? Renovate, but dont over - renovate! "ft isnt necessary to change every little tile, every baseboard and every countertop in the house," says Curtis. Add or subtract enough to make the house feel open and new, but remember youll be decorating it when youre done. Renovate to decorate. "Think of a renovation as making broad strokes. Work until the bones of the house are neutral and consistent. Then use decorative elements to make it your own and add glamour and pizzazz!"

By simply opening up the space and imbuing it with the chic, stately charisma of a boutique hotel, they finally got their dream home, and made the whole effort look both easily said and done! If only this stately, chic look came as easily said and done to everyone....