Before and After
Designer tips for getting it right and 9 totally transformed rooms will get you started on the right path
Before and After
Designer tips for getting it right and 9 totally transformed rooms will get you started on the right path
Ready for a reno? Designer tips for getting it right and nine totally transformed rooms will get you started.
The magic of before and after shots is the night and day transformation they portray. The lure is that they make renos look instantaneous. They aren’t! And when the dust settles, the results better be worth the work. We asked the designers of these nine amazing renos for their best tips and favourite features. Get ready to be inspired!
1. Vibrant Vibe
PHOTOGRAPHY, Valerie Wilcox | DESIGN, Tamara Robbins Griffith, Jessica Dybenko, Kerr + Field Interiors. Asher Teodor Modern American black walnut VANITY, The Vanity Store. Tres Tintas’s Sinusoide vinyl WALLPAPER, NewWall. Six FLOOR TILE; Fez WALL TILE; Pottery NICHE TILE; Mettro Source. HANDHELD SHOWER; RAIN SHOWER; Align TUB FILLER, ROBE HOOKS, TOWEL BAR; Moen. Vega bath LIGHT FIXTURE, CB2. Streamline Wide Arch mirror, West Elm.
BEFORE
THE DESIGNERS: Tamara Robbins Griffith and Jessica Dybenko, Kerr & Field Interiors.
THE BRIEF: This family bathroom needed updating and more storage. The owners weren’t sure whether to go for a neutral scheme for resale value or something more unique. In the end, something personal, and beautiful, won out!
FAVOURITE FEATURES: A new 60-inch vanity offers tons of storage and cleans up the previous visual and actual clutter created by many small storage pieces. The tub (a must-have for this family) is a new focal point, with its archway that nods to the past and also marks the transition between gorgeous green and calming white tile.
TOP TIP: This bathroom looks dramatically different than before, even though the functional layout didn’t change, illustrating the impact of colour in a redesign.
2. Open kitchen
PHOTOGRAPHY, Nicole Aubrey | DESIGN, Rotem Lamsee, Ace of Space Interiors. TILE, Olympia Tile. Shaker-style maple MILLWORK, One Plus Kitchens. Fireclay Farmhouse SINK, Frazer Armed Sconces, Wayfair. Tala Walnut PENDANT, Style Garage. Vogt’s Dornbirn FAUCET, Dupont Plumbing.
BEFORE
THE DESIGNERS: Rotem Lamsee, Ace of Space Interiors.
THE BRIEF: The kitchen in this century-old home was small and dark. The owners wanted a functional space that felt more open, where they could celebrate their love of cooking and entertaining.
FAVOURITE FEATURES: The new open-concept space is a highlight of the main floor, with its fresh, welcoming palette. Structural changes allowed for more counter and storage space.
TOP TIP: When redesigning a small kitchen, allocate logical space for all everyday items. Keep them within reach, but tucked away to reduce clutter. The goal is to combine ergonomics with an aesthetically pleasing space.
3. Nouvelle Cuisine
PHOTOGRAPHY, When they find us | DESIGN, custom blackened-steel RANGE HOOD, Madeleine Sloback, Madeleine Design Group. Black-stained white oak CABINETRY, Nickels Cabinets. Honed Nero Marquina marble COUNTERTOPS and BACKSPLASH, Bordignon Stone. Custom PENDANTS, Madeleine Design Group (design); Karice Lighting (fabrication). APPLIANCES, Dacor. Range hood FAN, Fulgar. SINK, The Galley.
BEFORE
THE DESIGNER: Madeleine Sloback, Madeleine Design Group.
THE BRIEF: Dramatically revamp a traditional kitchen into a modern “magazine-worthy” space. The owners, who love to host guests, wanted the kitchen to have wow factor, in terms of both form and function.
FAVOURITE FEATURES: The unique black-on-black motif; creative storage solutions to accommodate a request for no upper cabinets on one wall.
TOP TIP: Collaborate early on with the contractor and structural engineer to avoid planning features that aren’t possible to build in that particular space.
4. Awash in colour
PHOTOGRAPHY, Stephani BuchmanDESIGN, Vanessa Francis, Vanessa Francis Design. SINK, Native Trails. FAUCET, Kohler. SHIPLAP, TRIM, Metrie. Electrolux APPLIANCES, Goemans. COUNTERTOP, IKEA.
BEFORE
THE DESIGNER: Vanessa Francis, Vanessa Francis Design.
THE BRIEF: A functional but pretty space to do laundry.
FAVOURITE FEATURES: The lightweight concrete sink on a reclaimed wood base adds a vintage element and tons of character. The vertical pink-painted shiplap and black herringbone tile bring pattern and visual interest.
TOP TIP: Think about form and function. Do you need storage, a surface to fold laundry on, a place to wash the dog?
5. A Room that works
PHOTOGRAPHY, Stephani Buchman | DESIGN, Vanessa Francis, Vanessa Francis Design. CABINETRY, Next Generation Woodwork. Milton HARDWARE, Top Knobs. RUG, Annie Selke. PENDANT, DESK CHAIR, West Elm.
BEFORE
THE DESIGNER: Vanessa Francis, Vanessa Francis Design.
THE BRIEF: The designer’s own home office needed to be a dedicated space for working, where files, samples and product info could be neatly stored and within reach.
FAVOURITE FEATURES: The built-in cabinetry was a splurge but worth the investment in a room where storage is at a premium.
TOP TIP: When designing a home office, consider how you work, what you need to store, and what you need to be able to access easily.
6. Serene & Spa-like
Photography, Michelle Johnson, MJAY Photography | DESIGN, Elena Del Bucchia, EDB Design. White oak MILLWORK, Northmount Industries. Turbine Grey COUNTERTOPS, Pacific Stone. Gesso Natural White FLOOR TILE, Tierra Sol. Spiga Noir Topo SHOWER WALL TILE, Porcelanosa. RAIN SHOWER, Riobel. MIRROR, PENDANT, SCONCES; Kohler SINK, BATHTUB; Robinson Lighting & Bath. Cedar STOOL, Le Belle Arti.
Photography, Michelle Johnson, MJAY Photography
BEFORE
THE DESIGNER: Elena Del Bucchia, EDB Design.
THE BRIEF: Design a modern (to suit the rest of the home), light-filled, spa-like primary ensuite that feels moody. It must be highly functional with plenty of storage, and transition seamlessly to the adjoining dressing room.
FAVOURITE FEATURES: Maximized light with skylights and a layered lighting plan, including an LED mirror. Floor-to-ceiling millwork makes the room feel spacious and provides ample organized storage.
TOP TIP: With renos, you are dealing with an existing structure that may present surprises and limitations. First, design a layout that maximizes your wish list and takes the room’s mechanical and structural limitations into consideration; then hire a knowledgeable contractor.
7. Pattern play
PHOTOGRAPHY, Stacey Brandford | DESIGN, Arren Williams. Encaustic FLOOR TILE, ceramic WALL TILE, Saltillo Imports. Riobel FAUCET and SHOWER/TUB FILLER, House of Rohl. MIRROR, Wayfair. SCONCE, West Elm. SINK, Mudd Concrete.
BEFORE
THE DESIGNER: Arren Williams.
THE BRIEF: Create a guest bathroom that is bright, playful and eclectic but still feels modern. Must-haves: strong pattern and a hit of vintage.
FAVOURITE FEATURE: The vintage cabinetry that was converted to a vanity. It’s easy to do, and the result is a piece that is completely unique.
TOP TIP: Encaustic floor tiles provide stand-out pattern but require care and attention over the long term. They are porous, so acidic, bleach-based and abrasive cleaners must be avoided; instead, use a product designed for natural stone. Annual sealing is required. Ensure you are willing to put in the work, or look for ceramic tiles in a similar design.
8. Come on in!
PHOTOGRAPHY, Kiely Ramos | DESIGN, Giovanna Grecco, Proggetti Inc. CONSTRUCTION, Tricore Design-Build. FLOORING, Stone Tile. WALL PANELLING, Babbingtons Mould & Trim. Vintage BENCH, Joliette. Decorative LIGHTING, Anthropologie. ART PRINT, Urban Barn. BASKETS, Pottery Barn. Custom DOOR, Traditional Door. Custom MILLWORK, New Generation Woodworking.
BEFORE
THE DESIGNER: Giovanna Grecco, Proggetti Inc.
THE BRIEF: Relocate the laundry room to the basement and redesign the mudroom so that each family member has a dedicated closed cubby. Add storage for cleaning supplies and a place to sit for changing footwear. Give the newly functional space a modern farmhouse look.
FAVOURITE FEATURE: The custom millwork runs the length of the room, solving storage woes, providing a place for footwear, coats, and pantry and cleaning supplies.
TOP TIP: Seating in a mudroom is practical for all ages, including those with mobility issues. The charming vintage bench marries functionality and good looks with its wood patina, which adds warmth, while contrasting the room’s white walls.
9. On the Shelf
PHOTOGRAPHY, Kiely Ramos | DESIGN, Giovanna Grecco, Proggetti Inc. CONTRACTOR, CONSTRUCTION, reclaimed wood-beam MANTEL, Tricore Design-Build. Custom MILLWORK, New Generation Woodworking. FIREPLACE SURROUND TILE, Mettro Source. CHAIR, Crate and Barrel. SIDE TABLE, CB2. White AREA CARPET, DRAPERY, Pottery Barn.
BEFORE
THE DESIGNER: Giovanna Grecco, Proggetti Inc.
THE BRIEF: Redesign the fireplace surround and bring a warm, lived-in feel to the living room, working with the existing floors, lighting and Persian rug. Use custom built-ins to improve the proportions and add visual interest to a wide, shallow room.
FAVOURITE FEATURES: Rich red tones (picked up from the rug) were used in the furniture and decor, and complement the new green subway tile on the fireplace surround. The matte-satin black bookshelves contrast but don’t compete with the existing wood floor.
TOP TIP: Built-in cabinets are functional, space saving and impactful in bringing balance and interest to oddly proportioned spaces.
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