Project description provided by Madeleine Design Group. Photos by Janis Nicholay.
The design goals for this renovation project were straightforward: the clients wanted to open the very closed off and compartmentalized floor plan on the main floor. They requested a proper master ensuite and a designated laundry room upstairs. Aesthetically, they were looking for a modern neutral backdrop with layering of contrasting materials which would allow for a complementary introduction of colourful and playful styling.
The kitchen is the true highlight of the renovation. The large kitchen island is beautiful and functional featuring matte finished caesarstone countertops while a textured laminate was used on the island cabinets to create more interest in finishing rather than a flat painted surface. The extended length accommodates four counter stools and a good amount of storage on the seating side of the island, not to mention a bonus wine fridge.
With a few walls taken down and a reconfiguration of floor plan layouts on the main floor and upper floor, we were able to achieve a spacious open entertaining living space with a sizeable kitchen as the focal point to ground the space. The challenge became designing a kitchen island that was proportioned to the house while maintaining an efficient use of space.
Built-in seating around the dining area creates a cozy gathering space for entertaining.
Built-in shelving on either side of the fireplace surround creates storage to hide clutter while adding interest to the room and a place to display photographs of their beloved French bulldogs.
A modern vibe with a midcentury twist was taken throughout the home with pops of colour in furnishings and artwork.
The family room fireplace was covered with a simple painted drywall finish. Some fun artwork was added to transform the space completely. Simple, yet transformative.
There were some major space planning issues to overcome like the illegally plumbed bathroom on the top floor that we moved to create a proper master suite. That space was then repurposed into a designated laundry room, tucked into a low ceiling area to maximize the use of all floor space.
Natural elements in a neutral backdrop were brought into the master bedroom to maintain the minimalist theme and create a restful sanctuary.
The skylight in the laundry room added to the ceiling height and completely transformed what was going to be a very dark and tight workspace.
Upstairs, an addition of a laundry room and a luxurious ensuite created a much better use of space, giving light and extra ceiling height to the laundry room through a large skylight. The bathrooms carried minimalist finishing throughout, adding texture in tile and contrast with black accents.
