Meet Jamie Schaack of Home Options Made Easy. Starting out in the trades at a young age Jamie made his transition into the world of Interior Design six years ago. It ended up being a perfect fit, and he can’t imagine doing anything else. Jamie has always been creative and Interior Design has been a great outlet to express himself. Based in Barrie, Jamie found himself wandering into Home Options Made Easy’s storefront one day and ended up being hired. He has been working with the owners, Luke and James, ever since.
Luke and James have long worked in the industry as contractors and decided to open their own storefront business three years ago. They saw an opportunity to elevate the experience of the homeowner. Customers can go in to their showroom and see an array of options for their home and make an appointment to consult with a designer. They have packages, as well as a la carte options, making H.O.M.E. unique in the industry. Their stellar reputation is a result of how the team treats their clients with the utmost care. The background of the owners, along with their integrity, made H.O.M.E. the perfect fit for Jamie.
Jamie’s designs are always centered around functionality for his clients. He takes the time to really understand how someone uses their space and what their unique needs are. When it comes to the aesthetics of the design Jamie begins with colours and styles that his clients are drawn to and incorporates their personal choices. Taking the time to plan properly at the beginning of a project is very important to Jamie. It is also important that needs vs costs are identified right away so that budgeting can be prioritized in the most beneficial way to the client. Creating a plan that provides the homeowner excitement, as well as realistic expectations, is Jamie’s goal. A great feature of H.O.M.E. is that Jamie is able to not just have a blue-print for his clients, but create a full 3d rendering, including materials. This is presented to the Homeowner and they are able to see what their space will really look like finished, with exceptional detail. This is especially helpful to see what different finishes will look like in the space.
The project featured here is Genny’s home in Woodbridge. The home was a complete overhaul, making it an exciting project. Since moving in to the home approximately 25 years ago nothing had been updated. Genny was looking to turn her standard builder kitchen in to the kitchen of her dreams. Jamie started off with learning about the family’s lifestyle. Storage, entertaining space, and Genny’s love for cooking were top priorities. The kitchen was tripled in size. It features a massive island with a built in GE Profile microwave and Frigidaire beverage centre. There isn’t just one, but three ovens. A standard GE Profile wall oven and GE Profile double wall oven . The Monogram range is the centerpiece. Genny grew up learning to cook with a gas range and is excited to get back to gas cooking, especially since taking professional cooking classes. This truly is a modern chef’s kitchen. The family’s favourite pieces are the Frigidaire column refrigerator and freezer , keeps the freezer completely separated from the fridge. Separate columns are a very practical option as they provide plenty of room for food as well as optimal temperature, and air quality control, to keep food fresh. Two separate columns keep food fresher by having the freezer and fridge operate separately. The dishwasher was hidden with paneling matching the rest of the kitchen, a very nice touch by Jamie.
Aesthetically Genny is a fan of off-whites, which were incorporated in the design. Jamie encouraged her to try some soft colours and incorporate a multi-coloured glass tile backsplash, which runs the length of the kitchen. Genny is very happy she trusted Jamie’s expertise, and she can’t imagine her space looking any better. Ample storage wraps around the kitchen adjacent to the substantial island. Floor to ceiling cabinets ensure more than enough storage space. The breakfast bar is accented with a unique tile that ties everything together and adds a splash of fun.
The dining area is comfortable and big enough to fit the whole family. Genny loves to host get-togethers so this was a must. At this end of the kitchen another unique bar area features a stained wormy maple countertop and storage for wine, a perfect example of Jamie’s attention to detail and his unique touch.
What started as a kitchen project grew in to an overhaul of the entire home. Genny was so happy with Jamie’s design for the kitchen he continued to work on the designs for the rest of the house. The staircase in the entryway received a modern makeover and the living room features a live-edge mantle that is a work of art in itself. Working on the entire home enabled Jamie to create a cohesive feeling, ensuring the new kitchen flowed with the rest of the home.
Genny is extremely happy with her decision to hire Jamie and has already referred him to her neighbours. She has a strong personal style, and working with a designer was a must for her. A company and designer like H.O.M.E and Jamie are worth their weight in gold when it comes to their experience. Just like other homeowners, Genny, didn’t realize the scope of a renovation such as hers and would have been overwhelmed by managing the trades and making all the choices for materials on her own. Just choosing the hardware alone was a big task, and she was very happy to have Jamie there to help guide her, in what was ultimately her choices.
H.O.M.E prides itself on working with other contractors and trades who possess the same high standards and values as themselves. On this project they worked with Jason Barnes, partner & project manager from Alair Homes Contracting in Aurora.
Jamie is a fan of TA Appliances in Barrie, and especially enjoys working with Sales Representative Carrie Koch. His clients are always pleased and have nothing but positive things to say about Carrie’s ability to provide them with knowledge, competitive prices and a positive sales experience.
After 10 years of owning a property management and real estate investing corporation, Carrie decided to pursue a career in appliance sales where she would be able to learn every facet of the high end and mainstream appliance industry at our Barrie Location. In just 2 short years Carrie has quickly become one of Barrie’s most successful salespeople with a fantastic designer and Trade Alliance following. Her charismatic personality is hard to miss, she listens to her clients needs and educates them on the very best features and benefits that will suit her designer or clients needs. Want to say Hello and connect with Carrie? You can email her at ckoch@taappliance.com or 705-719-1390 ext. 3509.