A tight space felt cramped for this family, run down and in need of a makeover
This 1912-built character home was in rough shape and required extensive remediation to keep its vintage charm.
Creating A Forever Home – Retaining Heritage And Making It Functional
Location
Vancouver, BC
SCOPE
whole house
Before and After
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Before Out Front After
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Before Kitchen/Dining Room After
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Before Kitchen After
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Before Bathroom After
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Before Backyard After
(scroll-over, touch or tap either side of photo to reveal before and after)
THE OBJECTIVE
To create a modern, open concept home retaining the heritage theme and improving functionality, useability, and its beauty as cost-effectively as possible.
HOW IT WAS ACHIEVED
The top floor was raised four feet, and 40% of the existing home was rebuilt. This A-frame house was built higher to achieve a maximum interior-height and create more space. The front porch was replaced, and the main floor previously divided as several small rooms transformed into one bright, flowing open concept. The kitchen floorplan was reconfigured to be more efficient and open, adding an oversized island with a bar sink, workspace, beverage fridge and storage – perfect for entertaining!
The reimagined upstairs creates 3 spacious bedrooms off the common hallway, plus 2 full bathrooms and the increased perimeter attic space generates extra storage. A separate laundry facility was added, along with extra room for gym equipment and bike storage, creating a spacious environment for this young and active family.
KEY FEATURES
Was A-frame, built higher to achieve maximum interior-height and top-floor raised four-feet overall, rebuilt 40% of existing space.
The home retained all existing flooring and wall framing, while the roof and walls were rebuilt, and existing front porch replaced. Previously, main-floor chopped-up with many small rooms, is now open-concept with efficient kitchen floorplan, appropriate work-zones.
The front-entry was reconfigured to add a coat-closet with shoe-closet and bench. An office/guest room was created with adjoining bathroom and shower that includes a built-in ‘cat cut-out’. The reimagined upstairs yields 3 spacious bedrooms off common hallway, plus 2 full bathrooms. Vaulted-ceilings add volume and perimeter attic-space becomes extra storage-space. Master suite has full-length closets, spacious bright ensuite with new skylight, and clever built-ins in the children’s bedrooms.
PROJECT RECOGNITION
Georgie Award Nominee – Best Single-Family Residential Renovation $750,000 – $1,500,000
Georgie Award Nominee – Best Kitchen Renovation under $150,000
- Custom-designed fireplace surround
- Oversized island features 3-centimeter, Quartz countertop
- Kitchen backsplash – classic white subway tile
- Black aluminum square-post railing, drip-through decking
- Gorgeous folding-glass-doors open onto new back-deck from kitchen – indoor/outdoor connectivity
- 3 new skylights
- Upgraded insulation, new windows
- Soft white, grey colour-palette, contrasting black window frames Tiled walls, floor in bathrooms
- Existing powder room expanded, adding shower
- Open wood, underlit display-shelves
- Built-ins, display shelves are modern version of past