Meet Jozina
Designer Highlight Series:
Jozina ter Harmsel is dedicated to creating exceptional interior spaces that celebrate both the architecture and the people who inhabit them. Drawing inspiration from historic architecture, travel, and her clients’ lifestyles, she works closely with them to design spaces that reflect their unique personalities and style.
“I admit I was originally a bit skeptical about painting cabinetry due to concerns about longevity and finish quality.”
Our Chat With Designer, Jozina.
Jozina ter Harmsel created a stunning home for her clients. Part of her solution was using our Refinishing Services for the kitchen and one of the bathrooms. We wanted to hear more about the project and her experience.
What was the inspiration behind this project?
For this home, and all of my projects, my starting point is the client’s lifestyles & personality, as well as the architectural cues that the home is providing. At the heart of what I do is a philosophy that spaces should celebrate both the building they occupy and the people who live within them. For this project, the clients, who I have had the pleasure of knowing my entire life, are warm, welcoming, and well-traveled, often cooking and hosting friends and family. Their home had good bones and quality millwork, however, the overall feeling was a bit formal and tired. Building on the strengths of the existing space, my vision was to embrace some of the traditional style, but to instill a relaxed, casual elegance that that was more reflective of the clients.
What were some key goals for the space?
In the kitchen, the focus was on creating a more calming visual experience through simplicity, and to update and refresh the existing cabinets without making any major changes. The clients favoured a slightly traditional aesthetic, so I simplified some the lines and incorporating a warm, updated colour palette. The clients were wonderful about embracing layers of colour, texture and pattern to add interest.
Why did you choose refinishing/refacing as part of the design approach for this project?
My clients are avid cooks and entertainers, and they appreciated the functionality of the existing kitchen layout. The cabinets were solid wood, in excellent condition, with beautiful Cambria quartz countertops. Having the cabinets refinished allowed me to embrace the the positive aspects of the existing kitchen. It also gave me the opportunity to have some modifications made to the cabinets, such as replacing the dentil molding and range hood. Once painted out with the cabinets, these new elements blend seamlessly. Paired with a new cream zellige tile backsplash, the result is a beautifully refreshed space, without the cost of new cabinetry and countertops.
Were there any challenges you faced during the design process? How did you overcome them?
The design process in the kitchen was quite straightforward, as it was primarily focused on aesthetic changes. However, the main bathroom of the home required a more complex design process. The existing bathroom layout was very tight. A deck-mounted air tub occupied a substantial amount of the space, leaving the rest of the room quite cramped. There was a corner shower that was too small for practical use and an extremely narrow doorway. I decided to have the vanity reconfigured and refinished. Originally, it had a tower on either side of the sink, but I had it modified it to position both towers on the left side. This change allowed space for wider door swing, improved the room's accessibility, and allowed for the installation of a much larger shower.
What element of the project are you most proud of?
It makes me really excited that we were able to achieve a pretty dramatic transformation in this home with almost only cosmetic changes - flooring, paint, furnishings, trim, etc. The only room that required any intensive construction was the bathroom! Its hard to describe the intangible atmosphere of a space, but but I think this project strikes a balance between feeling restful yet interesting, traditional yet fresh, and elegant but certainly not formal. Many thanks to my wonderful clients that trusted me with with every decision from start to final styling.
How would you describe your design style, and how did it influence this project?
I would describe my style as warm, thoughtfully curated, and intuitive. My process is always quite collaborative, but this project was especially so. The clients invested a lot of time into joining me on sourcing trips, so this finished project is very interesting and personal - reflective of what my clients love.
What’s your favourite part about working with Finish Facelift?
I enjoy working with Finish Facelift because of the quality of their finishes. I admit I was originally a bit skeptical about painting cabinetry due to concerns about longevity and finish quality. However, I feel confident to recommend Finish Facelift as the result looks like a factory finish! My clients have been happy with the results, and I have been pleased with how the finish is holding up over time.
Any tips for homeowners considering a similar transformation?
I highly recommend engaging a designer to help you plan your transformation. The value of the service that they provide is well worth the investment to save time, stress and overwhelm. There are so many decisions and factors that need to be considered in a project like this and a designer brings wealth of resources, experience and education. A designer will help you maximize aesthetics, functionality and budget, avoid mistakes, and achieve a result that you will love for years to come.
Where can clients find you if they’re looking to work with you on a project?
If you are thinking of building or renovating, I would love to be a part of your project team!
Visit my website www.atelierinteriors.ca to view my portfolio and connect with me!
Follow Jozina on Social Media
