Thornhill Main Floor Renovation
When you buy an existing home, you’re also dealing with any of the decisions made by the previous owners during past renovation attempts. That’s where the Goldbergs found themselves with their home in Thornhill. They are a busy professional couple in their mid-40s with two young children that they need to focus their time on. While they were happy to find their home in the neighborhood when they did, it never completely suited their needs. The space lacked the open-concept layout that our clients wanted.
It’s a popular design for growing families because it allows for more flexible use of the existing space without as many preconceived limitations on room size or purpose. When we came on the scene, our clients were dealing with a home layout that was cramped, heavily divided, and downright claustrophobic feeling. Sosna was able to completely transform the space even when it presented challenges that could have affected the long-term use of the home. Come explore how we helped our clients the Goldbergs and discover if a major Main Floor overhaul might be right for your home as well.
Renovation Details
- Total Main Floor Renovation Cost:
- Designer:
- Project Manager:
Design Timeline:
2 Months: August 26, 2020 – October 30, 2020
Construction Timeline:
3 Months: January 25, 2021 – April 21, 2021
- Pre-Renovation Drawings:
Proposed Renovation Drawings:
The Starting Point for a Main Floor Renovation
While the home our clients chose for their family had plenty of square footage on paper, it didn’t really translate to the space they needed. The Main Floor was made up of many small rooms, reducing the open space available for their young children to run and play. Dividing walls obscured the view between the living area and the Kitchen. Speaking of the Kitchen, it was showing its age and had a dated appearance and function due to many years of daily use since its last update. It was the perfect time for our experienced team to come in and help realign the home to the needs of its current residents and not the styles of the past.
Creating a Design That Everyone in the Family Loves
Working with our clients closely, we began the process of dreaming up new ideas to totally transform the Main Floor. We decided on a layout that moved the Kitchen to a more central location while also removing all those many walls dividing the space into unnecessarily small rooms. This created the open layout that our clients prioritized, not to mention visually uniting the living area with the Kitchen space for easy entertaining.
However, the structure itself made this into a major challenge. After we decided on a design that would require the removal of the load-bearing walls for this floor, we knew we’d have to install a carefully engineered support system instead. Once we began the work, the contractors discovered a big surprise during the demolition stage. We discovered that renovation work carried out by the previous homeowner as a Do It Yourself project left the structure dangerously under-supported. Adjusting our previous plans allowed us to install steel beams and metal posts capable of providing the necessary support while facilitating the open design we started with. This gave extra value to the renovation by ensuring the structure will remain strong and safe for years to come no matter what upgrades or design changes are made in the future.
Focusing on the Kitchen Renewal
Starting near the end of August 2020, we completed the design stage by the close of October. That put us right on track to complete the installation in just under three months from January to April in 2021. Our first step was to address the outdated and cramped Kitchen space. Relocating the open Kitchen to near the center of the Main Floor gave us a chance to add a new window to the space, greatly increasing the natural light available and providing a more airy appearance.
In addition to removing the walls that kept the cooking area separated from the dining and living zones, we also raised the existing Kitchen window to better accommodate the new countertops and cabinetry. Custom-made cabinetry was a must-have for this renovation to increase the total storage space for the busy family. Now they can organize all of their small appliances and dishes out of sight for clear countertops. The cabinets feature double shaker doors for a hint of traditional style amidst the transitional décor. As the new heart of the home, the Kitchen featured plenty of flow into the rest of the Main Floor to truly connect it with the other primary living spaces.
Improvements for the Rest of the Main Floor
In order to create a seamless appearance for the entire space, we raised the dropped floor in the Family Room. This connected the open layout without creating a trip hazard, especially for the younger family members. Furthermore, the installation of new contemporary hardwood flooring created a united look that befitted the free-flowing style. It’s a durable material that requires relatively little maintenance and will look great for years to come. We worked with the clients to find the perfect refined finish to bring a hint of warmth to the otherwise neutral white and black color palette.
Aside from improvements to boost the functionality of the Family Room, we also focused on upgrading the main staircase of the home. We gave it a complete refresh with new pickets, railings, and treads that matched the hardwood flooring. The dark pickets add a hint of contrast to the room to draw the eye upward when guests circulate around the Main Floor.
Moving the Laundry Room and Creating New Opportunities for Storage
While we were highly focused on improving the look of the Main Floor of the home, we also wanted to make some practical changes for the Goldbergs to improve how they used the space. One specific focus was the creation of a new Mud Room from the former Laundry Room area. We moved the laundry downstairs into the basement where there was plenty of space for sorting socks and folding shirts out of the view of guests.
Instead of giving up premium Main Floor space for this purpose, we created a Mud Room near the entryway so that family members could shed wet coats and boots with ease. This is an in-demand upgrade for families with younger children in the area because it’s challenging to keep the rest of the home clean when dirt and mud are tracked in through multiple rooms. The custom cabinetry and hidden shelves installed in this area create so much storage without interfering with the rest of the space. There’s even a built-in bench area that all of the family members can use to take off their shoes or put on outerwear as needed to deal with inclement weather.
Powering Up the Powder Room
The crowning touch on this renovation included a few upgrades to the Main Floor’s Powder Room. While the space was mostly in good condition, it needed a refresh to help it blend in with the rest of the upgraded floor around it. Sophisticated finishes and some new fixtures brought a contemporary look to the room without distracting from other areas in the Family Room. Since it’s a convenient room for directing guests to, we wanted to make sure it sent the same message as the rest of the redesigned Main Floor.
Long-Term Happiness from Simple Interior Changes
Now that they’ve achieved the open layout floor plan they’ve wanted from the beginning, the Goldbergs are getting more enjoyment out of their Thornhill home than ever before. Both parents can enjoy cooking and relaxing in the Kitchen while getting an unobstructed view of their children playing in the Family Room or other areas of the Main Floor. That means there’s no need to choose between supervision and relaxation time when the evenings and weekends come. With improved flow and much more open space thanks to the removal of the interior walls, it’s also a more practical space for entertaining and gathering with extended family members.
There’s no dated kitchen design or worn-looking stairs aging the interior anymore either. The neutral color palette makes it easy to add personal touches and holiday decorations without worrying about clashing with the décor. Of course, the major structural improvements we made to remedy the former DIY renovation mistakes also greatly improved the safety and long-term durability of the home. It was a major project that we were happy to complete for our clients.
Ready to transform your home?
Contact Sosna today for a free consultation and let’s discuss your dream renovation project! We’re the expert choice in the Toronto area for creating beautiful and functional spaces.
You too can enjoy what the Goldbergs now have in their updated and functional home. No matter your personal style or layout preferences, our design team can bring your dream to reality with the help of our skilled contractors. Sosna is the expert choice in the Toronto area. Contact us to get started on your home renovation project today.
