HART HOUS

HART HOUS makes sense of your space. Stuck? I'll get you unstuck. Need a plan? I'll map one out. Awkward layouts, reno spirals, too many ideas?

I cut through the noise and figure out what actually works - for your space, style, and life.

07/31/2026

Not every layout makes it to the finish line, but this one still lives in my head.

Early on for this project off Commercial Drive in East Van, the plan had the banquette at the back of the kitchen, tucked under two big, beautiful windows, with a small café table nestled right in and a long galley kitchen running alongside. Mid-century modern with a Japanese-inspired sensibility, clean lines, open air.

In the end, we flipped it - the banquette moved into the original dining area instead. It made more sense for how this couple actually lives in their home, and that's always the real test. A concept can be beautiful and still not be right.

Still love this one enough to show you.

07/28/2026

Some of you have been around since the start, so consider this less of an intro and more of a "hey, still me" post.

And what's more "me" than my name. I get asked its origin a lot, usually guessing it's a cultural thing. Not exactly - or not in the way people mean. I'm the seventh Samena in my family. Female Samuel, passed down. I really like carrying it. I never knew my grandmother, but growing up, my Aunt Samena was my idol - and as an aunt now, to a perfectly cheeky, sweet, smart-assed little entertainer named Léo who thinks he might actually be Spiderman, I channel her every chance I get.

Anyway - made design official in 2009. Been running HART HOUS since 2020, and I'm still the only person you'll ever deal with here - no team, no hand-offs, no one else touching your project. Start to finish, it's me.

Off the clock, I'm the person who will try any wellness trend or biohack that crosses my feed. No skepticism, no restraint, no exceptions.

Honestly, the two aren't that different. Both are just me looking at something and thinking "yeah, but what if it was better." A room. A routine. Doesn't matter. I don't know how to leave well enough alone.

Hey. Glad you're still here.

05/15/2026

Kitsilano update: this home had a central gas fireplace splitting the dining room from the raised living room - so the whole space felt a bit… interrupted.
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We moved the fireplace to the exterior wall and everything instantly made sense. Sightlines opened up, the layout calmed down, and the room finally had one clear focal point instead of a divider in the middle of the conversation.
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That deep niche that never really worked? We extended thick floating shelves from it - now it’s functional instead of awkward and empty.
We also added faux beams to bring some structure back into the now-open space - more of that quiet architectural rhythm overhead, and a little extra sculptural detail without making anything feel heavy.
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And because real living rooms come with real tech, we built a custom media unit with slatted sliding doors for ventilation + remote access, and hid every last cord so the room feels finished (not “paused mid-setup”).
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The final touch: dark textured plaster against a smooth, light surround - simple contrast, lots of depth.

05/04/2026

We didn’t add square footage - we reassigned it.
Two bedrooms became one clear path: bedroom → walk-through closet → ensuite.

It’s the same East Van place (off Commercial Drive) as our Mid-Century Modern / Japandi kitchen, and we carried that same warmth + simplicity into a brand new primary suite.

The goal was a flow that makes sense in real life. The walk-through closet keeps storage practical and out of sight, and the ensuite was designed to feel spa-like without getting precious about it - clean lines, grounded materials, and a layout that actually works.

Practical, calm, and not trying too hard.

04/30/2026

In this North Vancouver townhouse, the main floor was already cozy - in the good way - so the goal was to add function without making the space feel crowded.

We designed a tall black cabinet to tie in with the entry closet aesthetic and give that wall a bit of structure (and storage) without going wide and bulky.
Then we looked at the existing window ledge and thought… why not make it actually usable? So we reworked it into a reading bench that feels like it was always meant to be there.

I love projects like this - small moves, but they change how you use the space every day.

04/15/2026

I’ve been in a bit of a handcrafted-hardware phase lately. Mostly k***s, pulls… and now apparently hooks.

These are handmade in Turkey, and I can’t stop staring at them - I love the organic, imperfect shape and that eye-catching brass finish.
Little unexpected pieces like this can do so much for a space, even if it’s just a tiny wow moment inside a closet or pantry.

04/10/2026

Fairview kitchen reno: small space, big visual payoff.

The appliance garage was the MVP - everyday stuff stays plugged in and out of sight, so the counters stay clear and the whole kitchen looks calmer.

04/07/2026

This home was a recent purchase by my clients, just off Commercial Drive.

We kept the home’s quirks, but the kitchen layout had to change. We opened up the back, reconfigured it for how they cook and hang out, and tied the dining area into the kitchen so it’s one cohesive space.

Mid-century modern bones, Japandi calm. Clean lines, warm materials, and it can handle real life.

04/02/2026

South Granville kitchen: pied-à-terre mood, restaurant-ish vibe, but still built for a family that actually uses it.

Same footprint, way better floor space, and an island that finally fits the way they live.

Address

Port Alberni, BC

Telephone

+16042501577

Website

http://www.harthous.com/

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