One of the most enjoyable aspects of any home renovation is planning how your new space will look. A lot of thought should go into deciding whether you need more room or a change in layout and function, figuring out your style (traditional, modern, country), and choosing the type of materials, flooring and finishes that work for your needs. Before you start interviewing renovators, you should have a very clear idea of what you want done.
To help inspire you, we’ve compiled a few examples of stunning renovation projects completed recently by RenoMark renovators from across Canada.
Award-Worthy Transformations
Each one of these projects is a finalist in the CHBA National Awards for Housing Excellence, which recognizes Canada’s best new homes, renovations marketing, community development and marketing from coast to coast. From kitchens to bathrooms and everything in between, the projects below are all very different. Which one resonates with you?
1. Main Floor Renovation with a Modern Touch
This kitchen renovation was part of a larger project to open the main floor of the home. The previous kitchen was isolated from the other living areas and didn’t function well for the family. The design team made the most of existing space by relocating the kitchen to a used nook and removing an interior wall, which allowed the kitchen to be opened. Cabinetry was moved off the exterior wall to install a larger window, resulting in more natural light through the entire space and great views for the family.
An island was added with a work surface big enough for multiple chefs, and with seating for interaction when entertaining. The cherry elements in the cabinetry were chosen to complement the wood elements that already existed throughout the whole house, making the renovation blend seamlessly with the rest of the home. A high gloss white was chosen for the remaining cabinets to help create a more modern feel.
Lagois Design | Build | Renovate and Laurysen Kitchens Ltd., Manotick, Ontario
Finalists, kitchen – under $70,000, CHBA National Awards for Housing Excellence
2. A Dramatic Entertaining Space
The homeowners who live here wanted to create a space where they could relax and entertain family and friends, and their new basement delivers! The main floor of their home is very open and bright, but they wanted the basement to be more dramatic. Their renovator incorporated similar design elements from the upstairs to keep a consistent flow between the levels, but otherwise embraced dark colours and statement lighting for a wow factor.
The new space now features a home gym, a wet bar, office, full bathroom, and a lounge area. The show stopper is the home theatre that comfortably seats nine! Built on a platform with multiple levels, each viewer can easily see the screen no matter where they’re sitting. A wet bar is conveniently located just outside the theatre – perfect for grabbing drinks and snacks before heading in to watch a movie.
Melanson Homes & Renovations, Calgary, Alberta
Finalist, basement renovation, CHBA National Awards for Housing Excellence
3. Private Sanctuary Ensuite
Everyone needs their own space to escape to, and the busy parents who live here are no exception! This ensuite was created as part of a larger renovation, where a whole second floor addition was built onto the home. The added room meant their renovator had the space to create a private sanctuary where the homeowners could relax in peace. The new space includes a double vanity and a two-way access walk-in shower with a floor-to-ceiling feature tiled wall.
Floor to ceiling mirrors amplify the spaciousness of the room, and a bathtub was placed at the foot of a large window (which includes motorized blinds for privacy with the push of a button). Lighting is particularly important in bathrooms: you need to be able to see well as you’re getting ready in the morning, but you also want it to add ambiance. For this space, high efficiency LED lighting and dimmers were installed throughout the room, and LED strip lighting under the cabinets add ambiance and a touch of luxury.
Rodrozen Designs, Vancouver, British Columbia
Finalist, bathroom renovation, CHBA National Awards for Housing Excellence
4. A Zen Outdoor Oasis
A great backyard can inspire you to get outside, to socialize more, and to reconnect with nature. This amazing outdoor space is a true extension of the indoor living areas. An outdoor eating area and kitchen act as an extension of the adjacent dining room inside the house. A large glass wall with sliding doors brings the outside in. The yard was divided into several distinct areas, including dining and kitchen, an outdoor living room, a daybed area, zen water garden, and spaces for people to circulate and for storage. Every element is unique and personalized to the owners’ lifestyle and worldview.
The focal point of the design was a stone Buddha that the homeowners acquired from Bali. All the materials are natural or richly textured (wood, concrete, river rock, stone, and steel). To create a zen-like calm in the space, attention was paid to the landscaping and the addition of a fountain with soothing bubbling water.
Alloy Homes Incorporated, Calgary, Alberta
Finalist, outdoor renovation, CHBA National Awards for Housing Excellence
5. Room for A Growing Family
This whole home renovation was designed with family, entertaining and ease of movement in mind. The existing space was reconfigured to maximize livability and natural light. An open-concept layout was created on the main floor, merging the living, kitchen, and dining areas together. The entrance became more functional for the growing family who lives here by adding comfortable seating and a mudroom. All the floors, counters, and cabinets were selected for their durability, and the new floor plan maximized storage. A neutral pallet was used throughout to blend in with the rest of the home.
Large renovations like this often require structural work. For this renovation, opening the main floor meant removing a load bearing wall. Two posts were incorporated into the new kitchen to ensure structural support, and architects and engineers were on hand for the renovator to ensure that all new and existing elements of the home would be safe for the family for many years to come.
SLV Homes, Sudbury, Ontario
Finalist, whole home under $150,000, CHBA National Awards for Housing Excellence
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