Fixer-upper to fabulous

With its acid-green walls and dated wood panelling, this fixer-upper was renovated to restore old charm and then filled with modern furnishings.

 

When renovating an older property, it is important to see past the cosmetic details and arm yourself with a vision of what could be achieved. Decorated with acid-green walls, dated wood panelling and commercial ceiling tiles, it took dedicated and a solid plan to flip this old house.

ABOVE and BELOW: The entire space was gutted to remove interior walls to open up the floor plan and make the living rooms feel more spacious. Commercial ceiling tiles were ripped out to expose the original structural beams.

ABOVE: The original wood floors had been covered in linoleum and not in good condition. To modernise the living space, laminate floor in a light maple wood finish were installed.

ABOVE: The face brick wall was hidden by drywall and was a welcome surprise. Removing the wall also revealed an old brick firebox. Though the fireplace is inoperable, there are plans to add a wood-burning cast iron insert.

ABOVE and BELOW: The previously dark and narrow entrance hall was wrapped around the staircase leading to the upper level. The wall on the right separated the entrance from the living area and removing this wall and the wall around the staircase opening up the lower level and completely transformed the space.

ABOVE: While there wasn't enough budget to rip out and replace the staircase, after removing the walls the staircase was painted in matching colours used throughout the lower level. Subtle shades of grey helped give the staircase some life and highlight the details.

 

 

A new floor plan for the kitchen involved moving the range to the centre of the room and placing the sink and refrigerator along one wall. With the money saved on Shaker-style cabinets hand-painted black, there was money to splurge on modern kitchen appliances and fixtures.

ABOVE: The wall closing the kitchen off from the living room was removed to create more space, while the addition of a sliding door floods the room in natural light and connects the kitchen to a new deck outdoors.

ABOVE: With its traditional features, open shelving in the kitchen lends a contemporary feel. Other fixtures include soapstone countertops, brass hardware and a large farmhouse sink. White-glazed brick on the backsplash adds more texture than conventional subway tiles. 

ABOVE: A raw brick wall adds character and charm to the dining area, where a treasured piano takes pride of place. 

In the bedrooms, wood panelling and mottled carpets defined the rooms. Removing the wood panels to reveal the walls, fresh paint and wood floors brightened the rooms.

BELOW: One of the larger bedrooms is turned into a shared space and serves as a bedroom for two children, as well as a home office and relaxing space to read. A woven dream catcher hangs above the crib.

BELOW: Marble-print wallpaper creates an eye-catching feature wall behind the bed, and covers an old coal-burning fireplace that was closed off years ago. Decorated in whites and greys, this room becomes a wonderful light-filled space.

In the absence of a bathroom on the upper level, a spare room was transformed into the new master bedroom.

In the master bathroom, a claw-foot bathtub, traditional-style furnishings and marble countertops exude classic style, while a wall-mounted towel warmer adds some modern luxury.

Photos A.Jennison Interiors