Heritage Restoration

During the removal phase of the project, this heritage property revealed its long-hidden secrets. The house had undergone several previous restorations that had covered up a number of the charming original features. For example, we discovered clerestory windows above the doors on the main floor, which were then restored. Elsewhere, a low ceiling in the top-floor foyer hid vaulted ceilings, which have since been uncovered and we even found some linen cabinets under the eaves which we brought back to life.

In the kitchen, which saw the most extensive upgrading, the windows were kept in their original locations, while the removal of a chimney allowed us to add a large island. The linoleum floor served as a jumping-off point for the rest of the kitchen, providing the heritage look & inspiration for the colour palette of the two-tone blue cabinets and grey walls. To add warmth, we installed custom butcher-block countertops rather than cool stone which also was practical with a site so far north with few options for stone tops.

On the top floor we added a spacious shower to the master bathroom by using space that was once taken up by a chimney. With a desire to keep the master open and spacious, we turned to a large landing that happened to be directly above the main-floor bath (which made the plumbing very simple) and created a small bathroom with a freestanding soaker tub.

By using a lot of white throughout the home, we allowed key areas of colour to really stand out. We kept much of the house’s original millwork, restoring what we could and upgrading items in disrepair, in keeping with the overall goal of creating a more up-to-date home while retaining much of the property’s unique heritage style.