Pure Design

Creating a living space that works for both kids and adults shouldn't mean you have to compromise on grown-up style. By using natural fibres and turning tired items into fabulous new centerpieces, Samantha Pynn transforms a living/dining room from a playroom into a glamourous living space that's sophisticated enough for a busy working mom yet playful enough for her young daughter.

For many first-time homeowners, decorating - especially private spaces like the bedroom - is definitely last on the list. That's certainly the case for Tiffany, an up and coming PR executive. By refreshing some of Tiffany's vintage furniture and bringing in some modern pieces and sustainable choices.

Alexis and Adam are in lifestyle shock: the arrival their son Hudson has meant that this formerly 'out and about' couple is now decidedly housebound but their 1980s kitchen just isn't happening anymore. It's neither practical nor beautiful so designer Samantha Pynn gives it an eco-friendly and stylish makeover.

Marketing executives Kristen and Dave bought their modest first home a few years ago and undertook the much-needed renovations themselves. They did a great job removing walls and installing a new kitchen but then ran out of steam. Now they need designer Samantha Pynn's expertise to pull their open concept kitchen/dining/living room together.

Homeowners Helen and Niall are getting nervous - they're a few short months away from the birth of their first child and their never-renovated 1920s home doesn't contain a nursery. Both work full time - so they're relying on designer Samantha Pynn to create a bright and practical room for their new bundle of joy.

Claudia and Justin are professional foodies - he's a chef and she's a food stylist. So it's no surprise that their urban loft space has a beautifully designed modern kitchen. Only problem is, the rest of the space doesn't measure up: it's a mishmash of Danish modern with other inherited and found pieces.

Beth is a busy, successful, single executive whose life consists of five-star hotels, gourmet restaurants and VIP airport lounges. But her own house, a midtown Toronto duplex, doesn't measure up. As a result, she feels more at home on the road than in her own house.

Homeowners Frank and Liliana fell in love with their home's 1930s architectural details but quickly realized their contemporary collection of furniture didn't quite fit. Inspired by the look of English Revival, designer Samantha Pynn plays on the classic period features in this living and dining room.

New homeowners Juliette and John attempted to modernize their small kitchen but only managed to upgrade the counter and backsplash. Designer Samantha Pynn steps in to offer a practical eco-friendly solution - make the most of what they already have by using colour to integrate the existing elements.

Longtime homeowners Carolyn and Derek have a wonderfully unconventional style - funky, colourful and a bit playful - but it never reached their home's top floor. The angled walls and large space are a challenge, but designer Samantha Pynn uses natural textures and bold colours to create a fun, eclectic family room. And in the process, she makes the space more energy efficient.

Building their dream home was easy for Ania and Walter - but the hard work was deciding how to decorate their vast master bedroom. By dividing then unifying the space, designer Samantha Pynn transforms this bare bones bedroom into a sophisticated boudoir, with a luxurious eco-friendly bed, that's a haven for reading, writing and romance.

Sixteen-year-old Lindsay has outgrown her childhood bedroom and is ready to leave her hand-me-down furniture and kiddy colours in the past. Lindsay, like every teenager, needs a room for the three S's: sleeping, studying and socializing!

Professional photographer Virginia loves her cottage-style home in the city - but lately it doesn't love her back. A look that was once charming is now dated and in need of a serious makeover, starting with the worn out floors and ancient kitchen appliances.

Olivia's grandmother lived in this house her whole life. When she went into a home about 4 months ago, Olivia couldn't bear to see it sold to a stranger and purchased it. Olivia is thrilled that her fiancé John has happily gone along on this journey with her and would like to please him by fixing up the kitchen and make it comfortable for him to cook in.

Lauren and Mike call themselves 'the hand-me-down' family. Although they're into re-using and re-purposing pieces, they haven't felt like their family hand-me-downs were ever really 'theirs' and because a lot of stuff has followed them from place to place, everything is mismatched.

Lori and Jason bought a beautiful old house about 3 years ago and renovated the entire place, except for an awkward old kitchen space that's attached to their son Atticus's room.

Erin and Ryan are an active, eco-conscious and newly engaged couple with little time to think about decorating their living space. They moved into this open-concept condo in December of 2008 before building was complete.

Paula, Pete and their 2 children, Ava (9) and Eric (13) moved back to Toronto from Vancouver in August.

Chetna and Bhups have moved around a lot. They've live in L.A., Britain and Asia. In January 2009, they bought a house and settled in Canada. Because they have been moving around a lot, they haven't had a change to collect heirloom pieces.

Sam's Mom, Colleen Pynn hasn't had the time to re-decorate her home. She has been in this house for 14 years and she's always liked it just the way it is. But over the past few years, she's started to softy ask Sam about re-designing her kitchen. Colleen is one of the "greenest" people we've had on the show so far.

Nadine and Jacques are a young, unmarried couple (they also have a wiener dog named Sasha). They purchased an 1886 row house in Summerhill in 2005 and they love the old character of the house.

Madeleine is 10. She is a smart, active girl who enjoys playing soccer, beading, reading and playing with her friends. She rejects girly norms, the colour pink and all things frilly. She is an active member of her school's eco club. Her bedroom is the old master bedroom of the house and it needs updating.

Siham owns her own business, a learning centre for children with learning disabilities. Her husband Maged is a Child and Adolescent psychiatrist (who is currently home and ill). They have a son (24) and a daughter (20) who are both attending medical school abroad.

Michelle and Chad have their hands full with 6-month old twins and a 2 year old. They were just able to decorate the kids rooms in time, but they have been too exhausted to deal with the rest of the house.

Beth and Jack have been in their house for 5 years. Jack used to travel a lot for work and was forced to eat out often so now he really enjoys cooking at home for Beth and for his 2 teenage children (they live with them part time).