You know what happens after a morning of watching home renovation shows on HGTV. . .you start dreaming about your own run-down diamond-in-the-rough that you turn around in six weeks. But what if you actually did it?
Minus the 6 week part. . . *crawls in a corner with the memory of her own renovation that was supposed to be three weeks*
My friend Jacqueline and her husband actually did. They bought a run-down character home, did most of the gutting and painting in 6 weeks, then finished the rest as time permitted. 3 years later it’s a gorgeous marriage of character and mid-century modern, with clever solutions hidden throughout.
So grab your favourite hot beverage and indulge in some home renovation fantasy.
P.S.-There’s so many lessons to be learned from their renovation, that I wrote a second post just on the clever ways they made their house work for them.
Entryway and Stairs
Upon entering the house, you’re greeted with the colour palette that’s carried throughout: wood, red, black, white and brown, with the occasional pop of turquoise. The other constant? Jacqueline’s plant collection, which adds life and vibrancy through out the home.
Let’s go upstairs, shall we?
The black textured wallpaper contrasts beautifully with the white staircase and warm, red carpet. A collage of family wedding photos add a personal touch.
The 1560 sqft home boasts 4 bedrooms and a bathroom on the second floor–luxury for a house this size and of this era.
Bedrooms
Jacqueline and Marc have original art all throughout the house. I love the way this one in the master bedroom adds a pop to an otherwise neutral room. It’s also an important lesson in style-don’t be afraid to play with proportions. Most people would put a much smaller piece of artwork on a small wall, but a piece this size really makes a statement and doesn’t look out of place.
The nursery is a soothing palette of white and grey with pops of red and blue. Perfect for the little boy that lives there, and easy to transition over when his baby sister arrives.
I personally love the rug, and how they’ve seamlessly used grown up elements, like the artwork over the crib and the sleek blue chair in a kids room. I also love Isabella, the family dog who makes a cameo. 🙂
Living/Music Room
Back on the main floor, let’s go to my favourite space in the house–the music/living room. It gets the best light in the house and is a natural gathering place when guests arrive.
The crazy plant lady in me is jealous of Jacqueline’s plant collection, and the cowhide rug is simply stunning.
The home is a study in colour, repetition, and texture. A room in this neutral colour palette could easily fall flat, but it doesn’t because there are so many different textures: the grain of the original hardwood floors, the leather, the rug, and finally, the plants. Every item has a story and is carefully curated but not too precious.
Dining Room
The dining room is the most traditional of all the rooms in their house. However, the gorgeous new light and painted chairs keep the modern vibe going.
The dining room and kitchen used to be two separate rooms, but they were partially opened up and this peninsula was born. It’s made of reclaimed wood and concrete and is a natural gathering place in the mornings. I’m super jealous of the vintage bar stools!
Kitchen
The retro vibe continues in the kitchen with the retro pendant and Piet Mondrian-inspired ceiling.
The bench under the window is not only a nice place for their son to relax and play, it’s also a clever storage solution. More about that next post!
The kitchen cabinets are all custom in a shaker style by Rhine Artisans out of Saskatoon. The counter height is three inches taller than standard to accommodate the tall owners.
That’s it! What’s your favourite part of this gorgeous character home?
Be sure to watch for the second post where we talk about all the clever renovation solutions Jacqueline and Marc used.
Louise Colquhoun
Kristen Raney
Janice - Salads for Lunch
Kristen Raney