House Tours

House tour: Modern meets classic design

House tour: Modern meets classic design

A fresh and functional main floor renovation Author: Angus Fergusson

House Tours

House tour: Modern meets classic design

Designer Ali Budd creates a fresh and functional main floor, keeping his and her wish lists top of mind.

 

No matter how compatible a couple may be, there’s something about a renovation that brings out the oil-and-water side of any relationship – in other words, wish lists don’t always match.

Such was the case with the Toronto newlyweds who enlisted designer Ali Budd of Ali Budd Interiors to help transform the 800-square-foot main floor of their home, including the outdated kitchen. He was using words like “modern,” while she was looking for something more classic.

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House tour: Modern meets classic

The floor plan

Toronto newlyweds enlisted designer Ali Budd to help transform the 800-square-foot main floor of their home.

Image by: Style at Home By: Beth Hitchcock Source: Angus Fergusson; Styling by Stacy Begg

House tour: Modern meets classic

Oak floors

New oak floors were sanded and stained on-site and make the main floor feel more spacious. “We chose a rich brown stain that shows off the wood grain, which is typical of older homes,” says designer Ali Budd.

Image by: Style at Home By: Beth Hitchcock Source: Angus Fergusson; Styling by Stacy Begg

House tour: Modern meets classic

Geometric broadloom carpeting

Ali had wool and silk geometric broadloom carpeting cut to suit the living room’s long, narrow shape. “You get the perfect size for half the price of purchasing a rug off the showroom floor,” she says. “And perfect proportions are so important.”

Image by: Style at Home By: Beth Hitchcock Source: Angus Fergusson; Styling by Stacy Begg

House tour: Modern meets classic

Curved niche

In keeping with the couple’s wishes, Ali (pictured) preserved the dining room’s original details like the moulding and curved niche. The chandelier speaks to the wife’s traditional tastes, while the shiny metal table base and dining chairs add contemporary edge for the husband.

Image by: Style at Home By: Beth Hitchcock Source: Angus Fergusson; Styling by Stacy Begg

House tour: Modern meets classic

Before: Kitchen

The outdated kitchen before its renovation.

Image by: Style at Home By: Beth Hitchcock Source: Angus Fergusson; Styling by Stacy Begg

House tour: Modern meets classic

Open shelves

Ali installed open shelves on the kitchen’s pantry wall to allow the homeowners to add personality while keeping the counters relatively clear. Black fittings visually anchor the airy glass pendant lights.

Image by: Style at Home By: Beth Hitchcock Source: Angus Fergusson; Styling by Stacy Begg

House tour: Modern meets classic

White cabinetry

White Shaker-style cabinetry was a perfect compromise for the homeowners: traditional yet clean and simple. To keep the kitchen fresh, Ali carried the Caesarstone countertop up the backsplash and chose a sophisticated grey-blue colour for the peninsula.

Image by: Style at Home By: Beth Hitchcock Source: Angus Fergusson; Styling by Stacy Begg

House tour: Modern meets classic

Breakfast nook

“If the space is small, go big on scale,” says Ali, referring to the oversized drum pendant light in the breakfast nook. Graphic wallpaper makes the cozy area feel crisp and timeless. A banquette with roomy drawers provides extra storage near the back door.

Image by: Style at Home By: Beth Hitchcock Source: Angus Fergusson; Styling by Stacy Begg

 

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House Tours

House tour: Modern meets classic design