The three-month renovation of this century-old home started out as a kitchen and bathroom update but ended up evolving into a revamp of the entire main floor. As the footprint was tiny, we worked to maximize storage in the kitchen and ended up reconfiguring the main-floor layout to accommodate more family seating. The homeowners also had a very eclectic art collection, and it was clear they had a love of older things. They weren’t afraid to select finishes that were outside of the box.
The project
Originally, many of their kitchen items were out on display, which wasn’t visually pleasing, and they were looking to make the space more functional and organized. Creative storage options were a must. They also wanted the renovation to better utilize the smaller size of their home, while still incorporating the centuries-old architectural details they loved.
Storage solutions
We gutted the kitchen and replaced all the windows and doors to maximize the amount of natural light, while still allowing for the cabinetry to flow underneath. We also uncovered a previously boarded-up window, further increasing overall brightness. Although the main layout of the kitchen didn’t change considerably, by adding in a custom floor-to-ceiling pantry with pull-outs, panelling the fridge, upgrading the appliances, and extending the cabinetry to the ceiling, we met our client’s storage and decor needs.
Kitchen kitsch
When it came to style, we were able to incorporate the homeowners’ unique tastes and love of warm colours. Copper was the metal of choice for the sink, and we all loved the mid-century feeling of the walnut slab doors. We kept the space light and bright with white uppers and since they didn’t want the kitchen to appear too serious or boring, we had some fun with the counter tops – the quartz counter has veining with gold and copper tones, along with a bit of purple – an unusual choice, but it perfectly reflected their personality, And since they love a retro look, the penny round tile backsplash we selected was an instant “yes”, and ended up really upping the vibe of the room.
A simple switcheroo
We did something a bit different with the living and dining rooms. Originally, the living room was located off the foyer in the front of the house, with the dining room in the back, adjacent to the kitchen.
By flipping the dining and living spaces, we were able to decorate the larger space to allow more seating. A custom-leather, deeply hued sectional sofa fit perfectly into the corner and we choose velvet drapes for both windows to add warmth and texture. The existing art – made by the homeowner’s mother – was hung above the sofa, and since they love local shops, many vintage and hand-made items were placed throughout the space.
Tying it together
For a seamless look, all the flooring on the main level was replaced with hardwood floors that flow from the front entrance right through to the kitchen. To further maximize flow, the eating area was set close to the wall with a bench and an extendable custom dining table to accommodate more seating. To set the tone for the whole home, the foyer received a facelift with new paint, a fun carpet runner up the stairs, an antique rug, and the fireplace got a facelift with new tile.
Lastly, the bathroom received a huge transformation with all new plumbing, a glass-enclosed shower (previously there was no door at all) and a fun fleck floor and wall tile to add personality.