City Homes
Susan Drover Thoughtfully Renovates Her Rowhouse, Blending Heritage Details With Modern Scandi Elements
Published on October 9, 2024
While designer Susan Drover considers herself a true Newfoundlander, she confesses she finds another part of the world just as compelling as the Rock — Stockholm, Sweden. “I love the people, the lifestyle and the Scandinavian design aesthetic,” she says.
After university, Susan spent years working in finance at a brokerage in Toronto. Eventually, she returned to St. John’s to handle family business issues after the death of her father. In 2009, she decided the time was right to make a career change, leaning in to her passion for interior design. At 40, she embarked on a design program at a local college and, by 2012, launched SAM Design. Her firm focuses on residential and commercial design projects featuring her trademark warm Scandi style. “I get immense joy from connecting a space to its owners by incorporating beautiful elements in a simple way with items they love,” she says.
In 2019, Susan sold the large historical house that she and her two daughters shared. “It was a good time to downsize,” she says. Soon enough, she found this circa-1893, 4,300-square-foot house in an area nicknamed Jellybean Row — the rowhouses are painted in bright candy colors. “It had good architectural bones; I could retain the windows and moldings, but it would still need a lot of love.” There would be five of them at the house: Susan and her two daughters, her new partner, Bert Ings, plus Susan’s mother.
“Stockholm has such a respectful mix of heritage with contemporary — that’s what I wanted,” says the designer. Much like the different generations living together here, this spare yet inviting home is a thoughtful blend of older and newer elements.
For the designer, this house is something special. “I’ve renovated many places, but I knew I wouldn’t be in any of them forever,” she says. “This house has the potential to be my forever home — and a very personal one.” Creating personal interiors with favorite elements while downsizing to make room for extended family is a tall order. Susan rolled up her sleeves and started paring down everything in her life.
Designer Susan Drover with her poodle, Greta, in the entry hall. The reno project would include new floors, updated bathrooms and a kitchen redo, plus some creative space planning. “I wanted my mother to have her own self-contained place and for all of us to feel that we had privacy when we wanted it,” says Susan.
Susan is drawn to spare, uncluttered spaces accented with natural materials and handmade pieces. Her own home is certainly proof: it’s imbued with the warm minimalism often associated with Nordic countries. New Brunswick artist Robert Moore’s Properly Accessorized is a dramatic focal point in the living room; the TV to the left also displays artful images when not in use.
She created an 800-square-foot apartment for her mother on the lower level, ensuites for each of the kids on the top floor, and a sitting room adjacent the principal bedroom for her and Bert. The challenge was to emphasize the home’s heritage while keeping the decorating contemporary in her preferred Scandi style.
The ledge is perfect for displaying pieces from Susan’s collection. Cool ceiling fixtures add contemporary style, and a patterned rug is a lively addition.
Black-painted original window frames and a black counter and backsplash contrast with white beadboard and lowers in the kitchen.
Oiled oak floors in a chevron pattern bring warmth and elegance, accented with colorful patterned rugs for a Scandi feel. Elements of Nordic style in a classic black, white and wood palette appear throughout. The furniture is spare yet comfortable and the use of color, restrained, until a bold gesture appears for dramatic effect.
A mixed media work and dark console ground the dining room.
A Norwegian hanging candleholder, hanging planter and custom firewood rack create a cool vignette.
A vibrant botanical wallpaper brings energy to the stairway and an inky hue with green undertones adorns window frames and the stair rail.
The principal bedroom is kept relaxed with a laidback combination of fabrics in a range of textures, patterns and colors.
The principal bedroom sitting area is Susan and Bert’s refuge. A camel-hued sofa, layers of textiles and art purchased in Sweden make it personal and cosy.
Because the principal suite didn’t have a closet, a bank of Ikea Pax units were installed, allowing the sitting area to double as a dressing room.
Susan also added energetic jolts of the new and modern seen in the contemporary light fixtures in the kitchen and the ensuite’s sleek terrazzo. “
The ensuite has a European feel — classic and well considered. A floating oiled oak vanity and freestanding tub keep things light and airy.
Jane Brokenshire
House & Home
Susan Drover