When the homeowners of a smartly sited corner lot, single family began thinking about renovating, there was more than faded wallpaper to content with. Having remained aesthetically intact since its original construction, the home suffered from dated design elements, amongst them being painted wrought iron hand rails leading up a steep stairway and a bathroom fitted wall to wall (and ceiling), with mirrors. The first floor master bedroom was off the main entry, providing little privacy, while the living room had little definition and the kitchen was a small cave like cube tucked away in the back. A low roof line, with oddly placed dormers, gave little function to the two bedrooms on the second level, adding up to a tight squeeze for the family of five. Coupled with the remnants of water damage in the kitchen and basement, a full overhaul was in order.

The driving factors in design, were to create a more accessible floor plan with a sense of connection and flow between the layout on the ground floor and to provide four bedrooms for the family on the second floor.  To keep cost and labor down, the existing beams/ of the basement and the first floor would remain intact. Providing three options for the direction of the renovation, the clients chose one that would expanded and oriented the kitchen towards the rear patio with seating at the center island. The shared dividing wall with the living room is extended to a cased opening, providing a backdrop for furniture and art.

Relocating the master bedroom to the second floor, the master bath was divided between a powder room, entry closet and a wet bar tucked between the dining and sitting area. Withe the idea of holiday entertaining in mind, guests can easily mingle between the spaces, with the wet bar taking strain off the kitchen.