REVIVING THE UPPER LEVEL

In this month's makeover, our homeowner was looking for a contemporary space with a timeless feel. The upper level of their home was in the most need of a change. The homeowner wanted a bigger bathroom with more counter space and storage. They were also hoping to expand their master bedroom and create a more comfortable space. The office was tired looking and in need of a facelift. All of this was to include upgraded finishes that would bring their home to a whole new level.

Before

The master bedroom in this home was totally outdated and did not reflect the client's contemporary tastes.

The flooring finishes throughout the house were worn and inconsistent.

The existing bathroom was small and impractical. A large door took up most of the circulation space inside the bathroom. There was inadequate counter space and very little storage. The finishes were outdated and high-maintenance.

The room lacked a proper focal point. An awkward window sat in the tub area. With the existing layout, the luxurious features that the homeowners would just not be feasible.

After

Throughout the upper level, new walnut colour hardwood flooring was added to tie all the spaces together and add a warm ambiance. The walls were painted a light beige and contrasted with a warm white trim and ceiling paint to make the space as bright and warm as possible. The doors were painted a dark brown to compliment the dark grain in the walnut colour oak floors, contrast the light walls and create a slight exotic atmosphere. New light fixtures were added to bring fine lines, texture, and proper light into the renovated spaces.

All hardware was brushed aluminum and followed a “boxy” theme that would allow the contemporary streamlined look to follow through to the details.

In the office, furniture was selected based on its ability to be contemporary yet timeless. The fabrics carried subtle details and maintained neutral colours. The metal work and espresso wood stains were deliberately chosen to match the dark grain of the hardwood and the dark painted doors. The carpet reflected a colour scheme of beige, medium brown and espresso, with the addition of a trendy powder blue that could be picked up by the accessories used to decorate the room (accessorizing with trendy colours allows homeowners to easily update the look of a space without doing major work or incurring significant expense.)

The colour scheme was consistent through the space, including the window coverings, bedding, and decor such as vases, etc.

The front bedroom had high ceilings and many hard shapes and lines that needed to be addressed. Verticality in the window coverings complemented the height of the ceilings. Their gentle curves softened all of the angles of the room. A mirror in the corner of the room was not only a practical feature but created a transition from one elevation to another.

In the bathroom, the location of the toilet and sink were reversed. A pocket door allowed the limited space of the bathroom to be better utilized. A custom wraparound mirror extended what would have been an undersized mirror (due to the location of the window) and created a horizontal orientation that reflected the horizontality of the grain in the wall tiles, the horizontality of the wood grain in the cabinetry and the orientation of the vanity. This linearity gave the impression of a wider and larger space.

A custom vanity provided much needed storage and countertop space. The vanity was created to look like free-standing furniture.

The tub skirt was clad in tile in order to properly integrate it into the room – an important feature when dealing with a small space. Custom glass was chosen to compliment the contemporary bathroom. Inside the shower, an Italian thermostatic shower faucet with 10" rain-head and a hand-held shower on a sliding bar were added. A built-in shelf allowed for convenient storage of soaps and bottles.

Subtle differences in colour created visual interest. A dark and rich wedge wood vanity was contrasted with a brown suede granite countertop.

Since the toilet will be seen from all angles, a Toto Soiree toilet was used. The Toto Soiree has a clean profile that compliments the design intentions for the room.

This month's redesign was completed by BiglarKinyanDesign Partnership. For more information, visit www.bkdp.ca or email info@bkdp.ca