Several years ago we decided to undertake a massive demolition and reconstruction of our ocean view home. The project entailed a complete redesign of the entire house externally as well as an entirely new interior layout. The house was to be doubled in size and fundamentally changed in architecture and interior design style. Our builder recommended getting Cheryl Demerchant involved in the project right at it's earliest inception. We took the opportunity to meet with Cheryl to explore our objectives for the house. The initial interview left us with the conviction that she was the best person to change our vision into reality.
During the planning stages we relied on her for guidance on the visual elements such as natural lighting with window layout, room configuration to aid flow for daily activities and the incorporation of structural components into the final design. In addition to the builder and draftsperson she was a key part of the team. She possessed truly intuitive communication abilities that allowed an easy flow to the numerous meeting's we had with her.
Although we had an idea of a theme for our house we lacked the ability to integrate the individual parts into a cohesive design. This turned out to be one of Cheryl's great gifts, the talent to combine traditional design with truly radical and innovative features. She managed to do so such that the house continues to amaze us even months after it's completion. We have had numerous friends and family comment on the elegance and originality of the house. Even the trades people and casual observer's all said that they had not seen such a stunning design.
The single greatest asset we had in building our dream house was Cheryl Demerchant. She is a remarkable designer, a gentle soul and now a friend.
Brad and Melinda Friedrick
Ms. Demerchant is a very talented individual. She has a gift of blending function and style in her amazing creations. We are thrilled with all the projects she has completed for us in our home and business.
Gord and Vicki Burnell,
Alberta
I had the pleasure of working with Cheryl over a period of about two years while we built our new home in East Sooke. From the beginning of the process, Cheryl was open to our ideas and able to add to them, using her creative insights. She was an attentive listener and supplied a constant, patient perspective when things took their inevitable twists and turns.
Our project was unusual in that my husband and I were not sure of what our style was, exactly. We knew we liked something when we saw it but were not clear about articulating it. Nor were we able to envision the whole of the project.
Cheryl was able to identify our eclectic style and provide wonderful samples for us to see and discuss. Then she would usually add a layer of interest onto that to make an idea really pop. If a product we chose was over priced or unavailable, she was resourceful in finding good alternatives to keep the process running.
Looking at the finished house, there are elements I especially notice and appreciate. In the night time, the master bathroom vanity is backlit by river rock and low lights – Cheryl’s creative idea. And over the massive wood fireplace is the one and only wall of color – a deep almost tomato soup red that looks good in the daytime and wonderful under the lights- also Cheryl’s inspiration.
Because Cheryl has worked so closely in the construction phase of projects, her process is not paint and fabric and tile added on to the house but rather an integral process to achieve both functionality and beauty. There were days when I don’t know what we would have done without her solutions and her good humor.
Jack and Merilou Clapper of California