Park Views Before & After
We’re throwing it back to one of our favourite renovation projects in collaboration with Johnson Interior Design. When our clients found this home overlooking Fish Creek Park they knew the location was perfect for their active lifestyles. With acres of parkland literally out the back door, hours of biking, running & skiing were at their disposal. While the location was perfect, the home itself was in dire need of an update in both style & function. Scroll through to see how we transformed this home full of cramped, dreary spaces to a light-filled dream.
FOYER: after. Console table by Mobius.
Foyer - In an effort to keep within budget the client opted to keep the front door & column details throughout the home. We re-paneled the columns with simple shaker details to give them an updated look. A crisp paint colour with hits of black accents magically transform this space from dated & gloomy to bright and sophisticated.
…magically transformed this space from dated & gloomy to bright and sophisticated.
The console table is one of our favourite pieces of the home. Working with local furniture-makers Mobius, we created a one of a kind piece that is perfectly imperfect.
FOYER - before and after.
Kitchen - Our clients love to cook and entertain at the same time and didn’t have a need for a formal dining room. To accommodate an open kitchen plan and bring more light in, we eliminated the dining room walls and moved the kitchen into the new open area. The dining room moved into the spacious octagon nook. Being such avid cooks, we kept the existing kitchen as the butler’s pantry - the perfect place for prep work and a home for of their small appliances. A sliding door integrated into wall paneling keeps the pantry hidden from the kitchen and dining room while entertaining.
KITCHEN: before.
KITCHEN: after.
DINING NOOK: after.
Living Room - During the day, the view is the star of the show in the living room. The furnishings & decor were kept simple yet meticulously crafted. Wanting their custom pieces to have a personal touch, the client hand-picked the claro walnut veneer for the coffee table as well as the dramatic slab for the fireplace. The end result of this room is a space that is perfect for quiet evenings at home while open enough for entertaining both intimate and large gatherings.
LIVING ROOM: before.
LIVING ROOM: after.
LIVING ROOM: after.
Master Suite - While the existing master en suite was a large room it was not efficiently laid out. A tiny corner shower and massive tub just wasn’t practical. The new layout features a 10’ long vanity plus a storage tower, built-in tub & 2 person shower. The new colour palette is much more light, bright & invigorating.
The existing master bedroom inexplicably had a clerestory window with drywall below. We added a full window to maximize the view so our client can start each morning gazing into the parkland.
MASTER SUITE: before.
MASTER ENSUITE: after.
MASTER SUITE: after.
MASTER SUITE: after.
Laundry Room - While a decent size, the existing laundry room wasn’t practical for our clients needs. We stole some space from the newly configured master suite to create a combination laundry/mudroom with access to the master ensuite. This flow was necessary for our active clients as they wanted to park their bikes in the garage and be able to head directly to the shower. The multipurpose laundry & mudroom now has tons of storage and even a space for the dog bed.
LAUNDRY ROOM: before and after.
Basement Spa & Gym - The existing basement had a large hot tub & exercise room that led to a guest bedroom & ensuite. We reconfigured the space to make the bedroom it’s own space and designed a luxurious spa room with custom sauna & steam shower. In the attached gym, we got rid of the hot tub, enlarged the windows and added garden doors to easily access that incredible backyard.
BASEMENT SPA AND GYM: before.
BASEMENT SPA AND GYM: after.
BASEMENT SPA AND GYM: after.
Basement Bar - The new bar is the ultimate weekend hangout spot. Inspired by The Palace Bar in Dublin (our client’s fave) this bar is heavy on the nostalgia with miles of traditional detailing and a gallery wall featuring the sweetest family moments and keepsakes.
Yet another extra personal detail is the tartan photo wall. The client’s family owned a winning racehorse in Ireland and they wanted a special place to honour him. We had the wall upholstered in the family tartan and custom-framed photos of the horse in vintage frames.
Wine Room - In an effort to maintain the budget and not create more waste than necessary we kept as much of the original millwork as possible. The sculpture featured in the niche is actually a rock the client found while visiting the family farm in Ireland. When they discovered it, they knew it had to be brought back to Canada. From digging it out of the ground, transporting it overseas, and finally getting it hung on the wall - this piece is a labour of love and engineering.
“What was once a rock embedded in the earth is now a cherished sculpture representing both a long and storied history of the client’s homeland and the creation of future memories in this new home.”
