The couple had lived in their home for many years. It was a place filled with history, personality, and heart. But over time, they felt ready to make it truly their own. Not to change its soul, but to begin a new chapter.
They brought us in to help reimagine the space while preserving everything they loved about it. The main floor was dark and divided into small, closed-off rooms with very little natural light. Upstairs, sloped ceilings made the second floor feel cramped and impractical. They were looking for something more open, more functional, and more reflective of who they were.
Just as construction began, right after the roof was removed, everything changed.
Before Photos:
Overcoming Construction Challenges During COVID-19
Standing inside a home with no roof is stressful on its own. Then COVID-19 hit.
Stay-at-home regulations were introduced, and there was a complete shutdown of big box stores like Home Depot. Supply chains stalled, materials became difficult to source, and even basic necessities to protect the home were suddenly unavailable. At one point, we couldn’t even get a tarp to shield the structure from the elements.
Every step required extra care, constant problem-solving, and close coordination with our team and trades. Despite these unprecedented challenges, we remained committed to our client and to the timeline we had promised.
During framing, our carpenter increased the height of the new second floor by twelve inches to enhance the sense of space on the main level. It was a thoughtful idea, but strict building bylaws did not allow it. A routine inspection flagged the structure as too tall, requiring us to undo and adjust work that had already been completed.
Lowering the entire second storey by a full foot was no small task, but it was necessary to meet regulations and keep the project moving forward.
Even with a global shutdown, material shortages, and structural revisions, the project was completed on time.
Looking back, the milestones and obstacles tell one story, but it is the people behind the work who tell the one that matters most. Their skill, dedication, and resilience made it all possible.
During Renovation:
Transforming a Family Home With Heart and History
The husband was a Polish immigrant and a traveling musician who had performed across Canada and the United States. His energy filled every room. Always smiling, curious, and fully present, he balanced perfectly with his wife, a teacher whose calm steadiness grounded the household.
He lived in the renovated home for several years. When he passed away, the home remained a reflection of his vision, his energy, and the life he built there.
Before the renovation began, as he was clearing the home, he passed along a 140-year-old piano. Today, Andrei’s children are still playing it, filling another home with the same sense of life and music he once did.
After Photos:
Building a Custom Sunroom in Memory of a Loved One
A year ago, his wife reached out to add a sunroom, something he had always planned to build. She wanted the space to capture the light, feel, and flow he had imagined, honouring both his vision and his memory.
The home he loved and helped transform continues to grow, not just as a structure, but as a legacy.
Bring your home’s next chapter to life
If you’re considering a renovation or addition in Etobicoke or the GTA, we’d be glad to help you reimagine what’s possible while respecting the story your home already tells. Contact us today to get started.
