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?

Flooring Update

Today or should I say tonight as I write this post on a Friday night, I have a treat, I'll be doing 2 blog posts, yay, I know you're super excited right now.  I spent the day running around taking care of some last minute details for my home renovation as well as buying tiles for my front foyer so there was no time for blogging. Also this evening I met up with my favourite first time buyers to help them celebrate their closing today with a little bubbly, more details on Monday. So in conclusion, instead of just doing 1 post in the limited time I had today, I decided to do 2!

Anyway, back to the front foyer, my entire first and second floor  have brand new hardwood installed, but I thought tiles might be appropriate for the front foyer as it's the only spot on the main floor that's enclosed and I personally don't want people to step on my beautiful hardwood with wet or snowy shoes. So my mission today was to find some tiles for this area. My challenge was trying to figure out whether I should buy tiles that match as close as possible to the hardwood floor colour, as they will sit side by side or go with something a little lighter and in a similar colour to the floor. After calling around for some much needed advice and spending way too much time at the Home Hardware with my giant sample of hardwood, I made a decision.

Here it is....let me know what you think!

I think it's a perfect combination as the hardwood is a mix of a grey/brown colour and the tiles are a medium grey with flecks of brown, couldn't have been more perfect. Oh and by the way $2.25/sq ft and I only needed 20 sq ft, you do the math.

Now on to post number 2!