Main floor magic
Six-month renovation ends with dream kitchen and rooms that flow
Imagining one’s home after it’s been renovated is the stuff of which dreams are made. Often, it’s the glow of envisioning the end result that keeps the excitement shining through months of construction. The renovation of this two-storey, 1,800-sq.-ft. home in the Norseman Heights area of Etobicoke took six months and the homeowners stayed in the house, which was challenging; the family was unable to use the main floor – or the kitchen. The clients wanted a modern upgrade of the main floor to help it flow better.
With two teenaged boys and a dog named Duke, meeting everyone’s needs required thoughtful consideration and smart design. With a large amount of custom millwork required in every room, waiting for it to be installed was key to completing the renovation on time.
Other elements, such as the kitchen countertops, could only be measured and installed along with the appliances, after that work was done.
Strong beginnings
The entryway of a home is all about making a good first impression. Updates started at the front door.
“The existing foyer had hardwood floors that seemed impractical and hard to keep clean,” says Cindy Kolar of Hallett & Kolar Interiors. “We selected a warm-toned travertine tile for that area and extended it down the hall leading to the family room. It gives a subtle pattern and helps define the areas. We also proposed a lighter-stained oak floor throughout.”
The dark oak wood staircase was stripped and re-stained to match the new floors. To give a visual break from the wood tones, the staircase railings and pickets were painted black. Finally, the dated white front hall closet was replaced with one in walnut to match the kitchen millwork and relocated to the opposite wall, opening more space at the entry.
Kitchen concerns
The homeowner’s main focus was the kitchen layout. She wanted an island where the family could gather, cook and eat informally, and was willing to sacrifice storage space to see her wish come true.
“We were working with a narrow space and had to compromise on storage,” says Kolar. “To compensate, we added wall-to-wall cabinetry in the adjacent family room for extra appliances and rarely used, bulkier items. In the front living room, new millwork also added more space for storage.”
The homeowner was also ready to experiment with colour.
“We proposed a three-toned kitchen, mainly comprised of walnut cabinetry, while the island is accented in black painted MDF,” says Kolar.
“We chose a mid-tone blue for the upper cabinetry, to break up the wood and provide a hint of colour, a white marble veined quartz countertop as a contrast to the dark millwork and for durability, the quartz continues to the backsplash.”
Other small details include a nook tucked away at the end of the kitchen to keep dog bowls out of sight; a simple, slim fixture over the island that doesn’t obstruct views or distract from the millwork; and panel-ready appliances for a seamless look. The new Wolf gas range remains a focal point and is accented above with a fluted hood panel.
Connecting spaces
With one room flowing into the other, the goal was to ensure a unified and refined look throughout. The living room, directly adjacent to the kitchen, now has the same walnut finish on the custom shelves flanking the gas fireplace. The heavy stone mantel and face were updated with a black plaster finish over a new fireplace front, and a fluted black panel finished the top section, a nod to the hood above the range in the kitchen.
A bottom shelf was lined with the same quartz also used in the kitchen, creating a little bar nook. A new sofa and pair of swivel armchairs creates easy entertaining between the two spaces, and open shelving with LED accent lighting provides storage and a place to showcase family photos and keepsakes.
In the dining room, a new oval table and chairs gives it an airy feel. The custom powder-coated light fixture in a dark blue brings a touch of colour, and its slim three-armed profile doesn’t distract from the views to the yard. Off the dining room is a small family room used to relax and hang out. To optimize the space, the TV was hung on the back wall and wall-to-wall millwork created a combination of open and closed storage. A new blue sectional and wool rug ties it together.
To connect the spaces visually and to save on costs, taupe-coloured drapes in the living room, and blue-hued ones in the dining and family rooms were kept. Existing blue wallpaper in the family room was also retained.
Powder room prowess
The final area of concern was the main-floor powder room, which had issues with frozen pipes due to the location of the toilet against a poorly insulated exterior wall. The client also wanted a playful wallpaper pattern.
“We showed the client several different wallpaper patterns before she instantly fell in love with the whimsical, animal-themed one,” says Kolar. “We were able to repeat the same blue tone from the kitchen cabinetry in the new, custom floating vanity.”
The mosaic floor tile includes travertine pieces that tie into the foyer and hallway tile, mixed with classic white marble. And the frozen pipe issue? Solved by insulating the wall and relocating the toilet.
Worth the wait
“The renovation completely transformed how we use the main floor, especially the family room and kitchen,” says the homeowner. “In the family room, even subtle changes, such as better-proportioned furniture have changed the entire experience of the space. And the kitchen is honestly 200 per cent smarter than before. It functions beautifully, whether we’re cooking as a family or entertaining. The flow just makes sense now.”