We love a good before and after remodel story, and this transformation is a favourite. In this project we took a dark, dated interior and filled it with light. The result is an elegant, welcoming space that emphasizes airiness.
This Heritage Woods house was pushing past 15 years old showing a dull, mostly brown interior and not-so-great lighting. At the same time the homeowners knew the space wasn’t working as efficiently as it should for their family of four.
NOVERO Homes was called in for a full facelift of the main level from the front entry through to the powder room, family room, and kitchen. Aesthetically the goal was to freshen and brighten up the space. Functionally the goal was to make it more accommodating and comfortable.
On the wish list:
- Expanded kitchen storage to keep the space looking tidy
- Streamlined fireplace with TV mounted above
- Improved family room storage
- Enhanced entertaining space
- Upgraded, more attractive powder room
Our clients had done their homework, which helped pinpoint what they wanted. Their tastes lean towards transitional style, an effortless look featuring timeless finishes, neutral palettes, and cohesive design. This style’s mix creates a warm comfortable space where everyone feels at home.
You’ll see what we mean by this below. Let’s get started!
Kitchen Remodel
The original kitchen had a nice-sized footprint, but it wasn’t working hard enough for the family. There was limited counter space on the small island, and the pantry was an inefficient closet with a few wire shelves.
BEFORE
AFTER
Every time we look at the ‘after’ photos of this kitchen we can’t get over how bright and fresh it looks! The addition of the spacious eat-in island and full-height white cabinetry makes all the difference to this room.
The cabinetry provides visual impact with the clean lines of the recessed-panel doors and matte black hardware. Blessed with many windows, the bright airiness of this room is emphasized by a heavy dose of white and polished stone surfaces to reflect the light.
Except for the island, the entire kitchen is painted in Benjamin Moore Chantilly Lace, a crisp clean white with no undertones. The low-maintenance quartz counters offer graceful veining and look contemporary with a streamlined square-eased edge.
About That Kitchen Island
While the kitchen’s layout remains the same, the island reorients the room.
It provides plenty of storage with four deep cupboards across the outer face; seven drawers and the microwave are on the other side. In the corner across from the stove is the kids’ cupboard for backpacks and school books.
Interesting fact: The dining island was a last-minute change to plans. Looking at it now, it’s hard to imagine the space without it. It has become the heart of the home, the perfect spot for socializing while prepping food, enjoying meals, doing homework, and sipping cocktails with friends.
The island is the highlight for our interior designer Jillian Fritz:
“I love the stained wood—it’s rift-cut oak. It brings visual interest with its straighter grain and breathes warmth into the space.”
A few of the homeowner’s favourite parts of her new kitchen are the 3cm thick mitred Silestone countertop in Et Calacatta Gold, the spacious pantry concealing the beverage fridge, and the floors (more on those below).
Plenty of thoughtful storage solutions were key in creating this clutter-free space. Floor-to-ceiling cabinets store everything from appliances to recycling and paper towel to a wine rack.
Here’s another view of the kitchen from the family room:
Removing the dated elongated arch wall between the kitchen and family room improves the light and creates a stronger connection between the two spaces.
Throughout the main floor are finishes that look casually elegant but will withstand the rigours of daily family use. Homes are meant to be lived in.
Family Room Remodel
As we learned above, this room was disconnected from the kitchen by an arch, furniture, and noticeable flooring transition (dark wood to lighter tile). The homeowner wanted to connect the two spaces for easier socializing.
BEFORE
The existing fireplace was a dated unit too high off the floor to allow for the TV to be mounted above. And like many families experience, there wasn’t enough room for the accumulating media equipment, books, games, and puzzles, while keeping some surfaces to display momentos.
AFTER
Cue the warmer, welcoming lounge filled with light. It’s cozy, yet elegant thanks to the neutral palette and selection of softer textures.
The biggest change here is the fireplace wall. The streamlined white design subtly centres the space and keeps the room illuminated any time of day.
To keep the budget down, polished tile slabs (24×48) frame the gas firebox. The fireplace is positioned on the ground to accommodate the TV, and the built-ins provide the extra storage needed. Simple oak floating shelves finish off the wall.
Living-Dining Area Remodel
You may have noticed another big change in the family room: you’re able to see the dining area from the kitchen. The above photo shows the partial wall dividing the two rooms, separating the dining area from other entertaining areas.
BEFORE
AFTER
We removed the partial wall to make it one cohesive space, and allow daylight to flood the home.
These photos also show the significant flooring transformation. The new engineered hardwood floors in Genoa make a world of difference to the lightness, as well as the flow: these wide-plank floors run from the front of the house to the back in the kitchen, drawing the eye along with it. The modern ultra matte ‘dura finish’ provides longevity and softens the look.
Powder Room Remodel
It may be an understatement to say that this little bathroom was lacking in personality.
BEFORE
Located just off from the dining room, the homeowners wanted to add visual interest to the room—especially for times that the door is left open, leaving it visible to guests in the living space.
AFTER
It’s another room that we can’t get enough of! This charmer holds its own in the home, from the dash of patterned wallpaper right down to the oversized hexagon tile floors.
While the other materials and colour palette are consistent with the nearby kitchen, the almost-black flooring and flowered wallpaper crank the casual elegance up a notch. The reduced-depth floating vanity adds more storage to the home, without crowding the small space.
There you have it: A tired space transformed into a forever home with cozy & elegant decor, timeless materials, and plentiful storage.