Y Design Loop : Fifth Avenue Kitchen Retrofit

Kitchen Upgrades Need Not Cost an Arm and a Leg

Everyone knows that the kitchen is one of the most expensive renovations ... here is a great example of what can be done on a modest budget.  My client had already updated her counter tops to quartz and flooring to clear maple hardwood a year before. These 2 items can easily account for $6,000 - $8,000 of a renovation budget depending on amount of material and number of cuts required.  Here is the before photo :

Before

We gave her kitchen a fresh, clean look with open-back upper cabinets that show off the white fully-tiled wall and new hood vent. The cabinets are Baltic Birch plywood [ which has an interesting striped edge ], with a gloss white laminate lining the inner surfaces. :

After

Only the lower cabinet and pantry doors were changed, leaving the cabinet boxes as is. Another huge cost savings ! The ceiling light fixture was moved to the middle of the room, and pendants were added above the sink. The sink faucet was also replaced.

In total, these upgrades are in the $15,000 range for everything including new cabinet and pantry doors [not in photo], knobs, electrical, general contracting and design services.  If you want to update your kitchen, doing it in 2 phases like this is definitely a feasible option!

Design Tip :

If you are wanting to do any sort of renovation, it is wise to start your project at least 3-6 months ahead of time in order to secure an A-list contractor, and to ensure all new products and materials are available for installation. The very best contractors are booked anywhere from 3 - 12 months in advance!

Inspiration :

Sunbrella fabrics !  This company manufactures outdoor fabrics for use on furniture, draperies, awnings, pillows, etc.  It is made from 100% acrylic so it resists stains, fading and the elements.  And of course, the color and pattern range is amazing :

photo : Sunbrella

http://www.sunbrella.com/en_us/
https://www.instagram.com/sunbrella/

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Y Design Loop : Powell Avenue Loft Renovation

Closets Doubled and Serenity Returned to Powell Avenue Loft 

After enjoying their 2-bed, 2-bath, converted-school-condo for 10 years, the clients decided to tackle all the things that bugged them at once.  Their overall wish was to make better use of their central Ottawa 1,000 sq. ft. condominium for their den, bedroom and closets.  

 

Finding space for a lifetime of artwork, books, camera equipment and designer wardrobes is always a challenge....and what a great opportunity for improvement !  The space is open and inviting with a large wall of windows facing south. Most of the interior partitions go up 8' to the 10' high ceilings, giving the semi-industrial space a lot of interesting interior architecture to work with.

 

View from new bedroom looking into living room

 

The end result doubled the closet space by adding a Dressing Area in the "North Wing" and a new closet in the "Entry", which was a passage-way into the "South Wing" bathroom. See floor plans and photos [numbered] below showing the wish list and solutions to each area :

 

SOUTH WING 

Wish List : Organize clutter, provide adequate storage, and brighten space including new bathroom.

1  BEDROOM

Solutions : 
- switch office and bedroom
- change drywall wall to glass wall with wood Venetian blinds to better control light

- build walls up to the ceiling to create more sound privacy

AFTER - BEDROOM

BEFORE - OFFICE

2  BEDROOM

Solutions :
- install wall sconces to maximize space for other furniture
- add ceiling fixture for ambient lighting

BEFORE                                                                          AFTER

3  BEDROOM

- enclose space above closet to hide storage
- change closet doors from triple doors to double doors for better access
 

BEFORE                                                                              AFTER

4  SOUTH BATH      Inspiration : designer  Andree Putman 
Solutions :
- use light colors and classic materials such as marble mosaic flooring to provide calming environment, off of new bedroom

5  SOUTH BATH
Solutions :
- rotate tub and close off 1 doorway, in order to create coat closet in Entry
 

BEFORE                                                            AFTER

ENTRY 

Wish List : Provide better access to laundry room, create more closets for coats and shoes, upgrade and add lighting.

6  ENTRY

Solutions :
- add new coat closet on right by rotating the tub 90 degrees and building a wall

- re-purpose old bedroom closet into entry coat closet by expanding doorway in entry wall; enlarged coat closet and laundry room are on left

BEFORE                                                                                AFTER

7 ENTRY

Solutions :

- change 2 sets of swing doors to triple-panel sliding doors 13' wide
- add pot lights

NORTH WING

Wish List : Create illusion of a larger, contemporary bathroom with a higher ceiling, add dressing area, create den comprised of tv viewing and office area.

8  NORTH BATH    Inspiration : designer Paul Smith

Solutions :
- install long narrow tiles vertically, to create illusion of height

- create seamless bathroom floor to visually enlarge the space

9  NORTH BATH

Solutions :
- replace acoustic ceiling tiles with punched MDF panels and paint to match walls
- create interesting, intriguing ceiling while still providing access to mechanical systems

10 NORTH BATH

Solutions :
- change swing door to a pocket door so it doesn't block linen shelving
- design floating vanity

BEFORE                                                                       AFTER

11 NORTH BATH

Solutions :
- remove linen closet door to make storage more accessible and provide opportunity to display beautiful items

BEFORE                                                                             AFTER

12  DRESSING AREA

Solutions :
 - add 35 sq ft. of closet space for clothing and camera equipment; walk-in closet on left, shoe closet and shelving on right [not shown in photo]

13  DEN  
Solutions :

- add floating shelves for tv, books and display
- material : white-washed quarter-sawn oak

BEFORE                                                                        AFTER [Dressing area in mid-ground]

14 DEN

Solutions :
- close off unnecessary interior window to provide wall for art
- add more floating shelves for artwork

BEFORE                                                                         AFTER

15 DEN
Solutions :

- create 8' wide custom desk with slot for large format photographs
- material : white-washed quarter-sawn oak

16 DEN 
Solutions :
- source new modern sofa and pair with concrete sculpture/ coffee table 
- sits across from floating shelves and tv, making a cozy entertainment area

After months of planning and design, almost every area was redesigned, [except for the kitchen and dining], including new walls, doors, lighting and electrical, built-in cabinets & shelving and furniture.  Open spaces that flow into each other are maintained, keeping the condominium peaceful and serene. 

 

Thank you to Handwerk, Cadieux Interiors, Astro, Marchand Electric, Randalls, Komandor Doors, Ceragres, and JRB Construction for their part in making this project a reality!  The fabulous photography is by David Taylor Photo Studio.

 

See more photos at yvonnepotter.com

 

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Y Design Loop : Richmond Road Living Room Re-design

Working with a Blank Slate : Richmond Road Living Room

Just completed in time for Christmas - the redesign of a living/ dining room in a west end Ottawa, condominium high-rise. The chairs were re-upholstered with Robert Allen Tapir fabric, the wallpaper is Crown Gold grass cloth, the fireplace is an electric Amanti, the tallboy was purchased by the clients and hand painted by 4 Walls, and the lighting is from Found Design Ottawa [quartz base lamps], Juno and Restoration Hardware .... who doesn't love a great before and after?

AFTER

BEFORE

Notice what a different new modern fabric makes to the clients' classic wing-back chairs.  The extra pieces were used for pillows.

Apple Red Bench
 
Warm up your home with a piece of red furniture ...

This is another example of what new upholstery fabric can do to an existing piece of furniture!  Here is a close-up of this really interesting fabric from one of my favorite companies, Maharam.  

It looks like a cross between snake skin and high school football jersey mesh...what a fabulous and unique combo.



 

And functionally, it's very durable for high use spaces such as this front foyer.

Stay cozy !

Before & After Interior Design Photos : 2 Bathrooms in The Glebe Ottawa

1]
Ensuite Bathroom.
At first, I'm thinking : well that's not too bad....it's white...it's roomy...there is a window...

Then I notice the details such as the hideous fluorescent light [and the hospital-like blue-hued light it emits], cookie cutter bathtub with the toidy right beside it [yuk], cheap vanity with strange shaped counter top.....

Voila!

The toilet was moved to the far left side of the room, out of the way. A custom vanity and matching linen tallboy [across from toilet; not in photo] add tons of storage including deep drawers with built-in plugs for hair dryer and curling iron! The shower is up a step and is enclosed by a tub on one side and glass on the other.....very spa like. Of course the floors are heated. I want one !

2]
Main Bathroom.
Even more amazing is this transformation for a main bathroom in the Glebe neighborhood :

Again with the strange shaped counter top and cool *bare* fluorescent-tube fixture - there must have been a sale at Home Depot !

Look how much the walnut cabinet warms the room up. The brown tones in the floor tile, tie in with the dark tones of the adjacent hardwood. Simple and elegant.


Here is a better viewing angle :

And for the grand finale :

Warm, clean, contemporary.  Notice the floor slopes down from the doorway into the shower drain. A display and product storage feature was built into the wall, between the studs, designed so the tiles fit perfectly with minimal grout lines. The wall tile on the left and right side is the white version of the dark brown tile.  It *sparkles* in real life.  What more can one ask for?

Next time on Before & After Interior Design Photos : Burrito Gringo Restaurant on Bronson

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Why We Love Before & After Photos : Week 1 Black Cat Bistro

Why do we love them so much - because they are awesome! They show how fabulous a transformation... a renovation can make you feel....not to mention increase the quality of life exponentially.  The uplifting lightness you feel once finished is like getting a new haircut x1000.  Over the years I have been asked to show some of my before and after photos, which I was reluctant to share for fear I would hurt someone's feelings. But I think I'm overly sensitive and have changed my mind.  So here is the first installment : Black Cat Bistro

Next week's B & A : Second Avenue Bathroom

Ciao!