When a couple decides to renovate a home they’ve lived in and loved for more than 30 years, the goal isn’t just change – it’s a transformation with meaning. This full-home renovation, designed by Canadian interior designer Jackie Glass, strikes a balance between honouring the past and embracing the present. The result is a space that feels beautifully lived in and completely renewed.
Starting with the kitchen, Glass and her team set the tone with cabinetry that leaned traditional in form, allowing for modern elements such as chrome hardware, sleek lighting and subtle gold accents to follow. “When doing a complete reno such as this, we begin with all selections in the kitchen, starting with the style of the cabinets,” says Glass. “How detailed those doors are, is how we begin building the ‘look’.”
From there, each room unfolds with intention, weaving together cherished heirlooms, updated finishes and a warm, contemporary energy that reflects the homeowners’ next chapter. Thoughtful nods to their past are evident throughout the home, from LED-lit shelves displaying cherished collectables to dining chair fabrics that harmonize with the heirloom wood tones. It’s a lesson in respectful reinvention, where every choice feels deliberate.
One of the most defining features of the project is the use of black-framed glass partitions. Initially selected for privacy, the partitions also add a crisp architectural edge. “They give the home a bit of a brownstone feel,” says Glass. “We loved how they framed the space, especially alongside the bold, patterned fireplace.”
That fireplace, a true focal point, came with technical and aesthetic challenges. Built out for proportion and presence, it’s clad in richly veined Laminam porcelain, a material ideal for its fire-, stain-, and scratch-resistant qualities. Neutral furniture grounds the space and allows the dramatic finish to take centre stage.
Lighting plays a pivotal role in shaping the mood and character of the home. The design team took a hands-on, collaborative approach, inviting their clients to shop for fixtures in person. “Lighting is such a fun part of the project,” Glass says. “It’s often where we find our jumping-off point for a room’s personality.”
It began in the front hall and dining room, two spaces where lighting can make a bold first impression. A striking fixture in the entryway caught the clients’ eye and set the tone for the rest of the home. That piece influenced a dramatic dining room fixture, which brings contrast and sophistication to the family’s more traditional furniture. The result is a thoughtful layering of old and new, all grounded by the glow of well-chosen lighting.
The home office, visible from the entryway, is designed to feel polished yet personal. A monochromatic forest mural creates a moody, Zoom-friendly backdrop, while built-in storage keeps the space tidy and adaptable. “The lower cabinetry was designed to house our clients’ business needs,” says Glass. “Everything could be organized and hidden, so the space can look attractive when the family is entertaining.”
While the design focus was on the main and upper levels, Glass and her team made a few thoughtful upgrades to the basement as well, including the addition of an infrared sauna tucked into a compact space at the bottom of the stairs. “We captured a small area and connected it to an existing bathroom,” explains Glass. “By adding bench seating and a spot for towels, we were able to create a simple yet restorative retreat. After such an extensive renovation, we think they’ve earned it.” It’s a quiet reminder that good design considers every corner of the home.
With a soft, neutral palette as the foundation, colour and texture are introduced through art, accessories and layered materials. “Design, to me, is about longevity,” says Glass. “If you invest in timeless pieces, you can always evolve the space with small updates.”
It’s a philosophy that clearly resonates; so much so, that the client’s family members have already borrowed the design approach for their own homes. “Isn’t imitation the sincerest form of flattery?” says Glass. Proof that classic style, when done right, never goes out of fashion.