1940s Classic with Custom Expansion

What was the challenge?

An interior designers own home, the client wanted an extension to the current main floor for use of her expanding family. Entertaining always proved challenging, especially at the holidays. She also desired to create a space she could use for concerts for her musically inclined husband and children.

Challenges come with every renovation, but here, with a beautifully finished existing home to protect during the project, a family residing inside during the build, and a global pandemic tossed into the mix, there were challenges at every turn. Separating the project from the living area was key to the success. Connecting the old with the new was a delicate and surgical operation.

What was delivered?

She retained an Architect to design a space, and Eurodale to execute on the build, working as a three-legged team (including herself) to arrive at a final solution. A sunken family room, with crawl space storage beneath, allowed for additional space off her existing kitchen and dining room. It also provided an increased connection to the rear yard, thus effectively doubling the space that was added. Moving storage items into the crawl space freed up the existing basement space for more practical uses. 

Building a new powder room, clad in high gloss millwork to connect seamlessly with the kitchen was a “nice to have”, without looking out of place. Walnut strip ceiling, a large

circular skylight, wall to wall and floor-to-ceiling glass doors and a transom window provide loads of natural light, as well as views of the large tree in the rear yard from any angle inside. The sunken nature of the family room, separated by a custom walnut bench/display unit allow for additional seating and provide a safety separation. Removing the masonry load bearing wall make the existing kitchen and dining room feel extremely open. The doors to the rear yard provide a connection to the exterior, no matter the season. Heated tile flooring ensure comfort, while concealed aria vents and a large format custom ribbon fire, a sophisticated way to heat and cool the space.

The design, a painstaking effort by the interior designer owner, was an exercise in self-expression. Art abounds, from the “migration” glass bird installation on the wall, to the custom metal powder room and fireplace features, and even the sculptures and paintings throughout. The venetian plaster finishes on the walls add depth, texture and interest, which contracts the smooth high-gloss millwork wall opposite. The concrete coloured floor, offsets against the warm walnut wood strip ceiling. Concealed drapery track allows for privacy or views, without unsightly hardware.

The crawl space beneath, which would never take credit as a sexy aspect of any addition or renovation project provides a few key elements to the project. As an ICF foundation, it is hyper efficient. It is dry and warm, providing storage that the owner required, offsetting that load from the main living areas in the home. The large format doors and full width opening between the addition and the existing home, takes a formerly dark and segmented main floor and converts it to an open and bright layout, comfortable for large gatherings. Steps between the original home and the addition create a visual space divide to define rooms, while connecting them at the same time. Contemporary interior and exterior stylings both inside and out exist in a juxtaposed manner related to the original 1940’s home that still presents as such from the curb.