1st Floor Reno Recap

A couple of months back I shared my 4th completed renovation project in the Junction Triangle, if you didn't get a chance to see the post, just click here. Anyway I just posted before and after pictures with promises to break down the renovation floor by floor. So here is the recap of what I did on the first floor. Stay tuned for future posts where I recap the 2nd floor, basement and front and backyard renovations.

Here is what I started with in the foyer, living room and dining room...

Here is what I had done....

• the whole main floor was gutted right down to the studs and all walls were taken out to accomplish an open concept main floor
• we exposed the entire right side wall to showcase the amazing brick that was buried beneath
• while gutting the main floor we discovered a brick fireplace in the living room, score!
• ripped out the main staircase and ordered custom steel stringers for a see through/floating effect
• re-routed vents
• re-wired the entire house as there was some knob and tube wiring, typical in old homes like these
• re-located the entrance to the basement back to underneath the main staircase
• kept the front door and all the window and door trim as I love me some character in a home

Here is what it looked like during the demolition stage...

Here is what I did to rebuild it back up...

• drywalled the entire main floor
• installed the steel stringers to give the home an industrial element
• installed wood steps, which were stained and varnished by yours truly, the stain colour I used was the same colour as my hardwood floors
• designed a new banister using cedar posts and cable craft wire, cedar varinshed by your truly again
• added 13 pot lights throughout the main floor, all on dimmers
• added a chandelier in the front foyer
• cleaned and varnished all the brick, not done by yours truly
• found a piece of an old wood railroad track which I used as my fireplace mantle
• installed oak hardwood floors in a pewter finish bought at Hamilton Hardwood Outlet (the owner will bring samples to you, so you don't have to go to Hamilton)
• installed tiles in the front foyer bought at Home Hardware
• installed all new light fixtures
• installed 7 3/8" baseboards throughout the main floor bought at Home Depot
• painted the walls in Pewter Grey from C-I-L paints bought at Home Depot
• built new cedar stairs going to the basement and stained and varnished by yours truly

Here is the finished product...

Now on to the kitchen...here is what I started with...

Here is what I did...

• demolished the entire kitchen, sparing nothing!
• the gut of the main floor included the kitchen to make it open concept, perfect for entertaining (there's the Realtor in me)
• got rid of the door to the back extension so the main floor flowed better
• closed off the entrance to the basement in the back extension and relocated it
• designed an Ikea kitchen complete with a breakfast bar/peninsula and pantry around the fridge, in high gloss grey
• added pot lights and 2 pendant lights to hang over the peninsula
• installed granite countertops
• installed farmers sink with goose neck faucet
• bought all brand new stainless steel appliances; slide in gas range, french door fridge, built in dishwasher and exhaust fan from the Canadain Appliance Store (heavily discounted appliances, check it out)
• decorated the kitchen with a small wine rack, antique finds and a chalk board

Here is the finished product...

After using and enjoying my kitchen, I did end up making one minor change for the better. I didn't do a back splash in the kitchen and for the most part it worked out well, except behind the stove. The wall started to get really dirty and it started to look awful. I decided to install a back splash just behind the stove using matte black subway tiles in a brick pattern. So I called my dad and we did it together, it took no time at all. The longest part was waiting for the glue to dry so that we could grout it.

Here it is in progress and yes majority of it, is my handiwork...

Here is the finished product...doesn't it look so much better?



 I hope you enjoyed my first floor recap and thanks for making it this far down the post. Make sure to subscribe to my blog so you don't miss out on the remaining recaps. The second floor, basement and front and backayrds are still to come!

In the meantime, what do you think? Do you have any questions about anything I did on the main floor?

Painted Brick

To paint exposed brick or not to paint exposed brick? That is the question today! Although I'm a lover of the oh naturale look, sometimes exposed interior brick is ugly that you have no choice, but to paint. Check out my guest post on one of Toronto's top lifestyle blogs Eat.Live.Shop to debate this further, just click here.

Would you ever paint exposed brick after seeing my inspirations?

4th Project

Today's post will encompass 3 things; Cool Homes (is it wrong thinking your own home is cool?), my featured listing and a before and after of my home renovation. This renovation is my 4th one and my 2nd one in the Junction Triangle in Toronto and it was definitely challenging at times. Lot's of hard work, sweat and tears went into this project, more so then others and I couldn't be more excited that it's finally done. I would call this project my labour of love/hate. Lot's of valuable lessons were learned along the way, but I'll save those for another post. In the meantime, here are the before and afters.........

Before...Exterior


After...Exterior

Before...Entryway, Living Room and Dining Room

After...Entryway, Living Room and Dining Room

Whole main floor gutted and open!

Before...Kitchen 








After...Kitchen

Before...Extension/Mud Room

After...Extension/Mud Room

Before...Basement

After...Basement

Before...Basement Bathroom

After...Basement Bathroom

Before...Main Washroom

After...Main Washroom

Before...Upstairs Hallway

After...Upstairs Hallway

Before...3rd Bedroom

After...3rd Bedroom

Before...2nd Bedroom

After...2nd Bedroom

Before...Master Bedroom

After...Master Bedroom

I will make one comment regarding the master bedroom as you can't really tell from the pictures, I vaulted my ceiling in this bedroom, so it went from a 9 ft ceiling to a 16 ft ceiling!!!!

Before...Backyard

After...Backyard

Here is a video of my home with additional pictures:

For more information on my home, click here.

All photographs and tours done by the fabulous Joseph K Muscat for VentureHomes.ca

More details regarding all the renovations to follow in future posts. In the meantime, what do you think?