National and OHAE gold winner
Modern Glam
Purpose of renovation and construction challenges
- Clients envisioned luxury spa-feel hers/hers bathroom, open, airy, bright, with spacious dressing-room, privacy and individuality
- Reconfiguration of cramped floor plan necessitated relocation of ducting, removing floor to accommodate piping, relocating electrical through attic space
Efficient use of space
- Removed existing walk-in closets and hallway, opening space, creating flow, increasing function
- Eliminated massive shower and dated corner bathtub, replacing with glass enclosed steam-shower, egg style island tub, privacy enclave for toilet, hers & hers dual vanity and makeup table
- Added new wall creating privacy at shower,
- Custom cat litter privacy chamber within toilet enclave
- Shiplap wall and ceiling’s contrasting dark paint to white floor and tub creates distinctive setting for bath; free-standing fixtures and full-length mirror add depth/clean lines
- Bathroom flows into open dressing area with custom millwork storage
- Under-lit, walnut surround white tile steps transition white tile ensuite to master dark walnut floor treatment
Creativity and finishing details
- Attention to detail in tile applications, matching veining, mitered corners, cut edges buffed, polished creating seamless look
- 11 different patterns in 450 sq. ft. floor tiles, opened all boxes, dry laid matching pattern and veining
- Opted for mitering on shower wall ensuring all tile 45 degree angle, same thickness as grout line, of flat wall visual
- Continuous pattern Arabesque tiles wrapped up wall face around corner into niche
- Surplus Quartz utilized on shower bench and curb
- Porcelain marble in floor of shower, invisible drain in pan
- Glass tile, porcelain marble, Delsol subway tile, marble chair rail, marble pencil trim around backsplash,
- Crystal fixtures add to sparkle; cylindrical chrome bar w/pendants over dressing island, chandelier over tub, wall sconces flanking oval vanity mirrors,
- White maple painted custom built ins, Quartz tops, crystal handles
- Strategically placed pot lights throughout
- Central vacuum outlet in vanity kick
Environmental considerations (energy efficiency, comfort/health)
- LED lighting throughout
- Water wise fixtures
- 2 high efficiency ceiling fans
- Added insulation to exterior walls/attic floor increasing R value and noise reduction
- Repositioned new piping with high slopes for fast drainage
Construction details/techniques to achieve industry best practices
- Mathematically configured tiles to ensure pattern, veining would generate continuous visual
- Wrapped floor tile to wall tile, employed minimal grout lines
- Mitered corners in shower tile creating wrapped look
- Polished cut tile ends
- Custom millwork
- Schulter system
National and local gold winner
Luxury Masculine Retreat
Functionality of layout
- Changed bathroom layout, fully demolishing existing space
- Enclosed secondary bathroom entrance, removed wall behind shower, framing walk-in closet access
- Steel-framed floating-shower bench, Prima-stone clad with lighting
- High gloss, reflective materials give depth to small footprint
- World travelling client’s son requested edgy, masculine, luxurious design similar to Bulgari Hotel in Dubai
- Everything easy access, ability to view TV behind two-way mirror, from all angles including shower, toilet, bed
- Luxurious elements captured in existing footprint, small space
Unique design elements
- Book matched black marble and high end glossy wood establishing hotel feel
- Lit toe-kick surrounds room wrapping around inside shower
- Mood-lighting accents dropped ceiling perimeter
- Panel detail interacts with marble above Toto toilet
- Fashion forward feel, mixes with upscale clothing and shoe collection
- Walk-in closet accented with Prima-stone, high gloss back-lit
- Gold flake Venetian plaster ceiling in closet, bathroom, iridescent up to sky-light
- High gloss panels behind bed
- Client’s initials engraved in glass
- Shower backlit with waterproofed LED giving Hi-tech feel
- Biometric thumb print to enter suite
- Large 2 way mirror, TV behind, custom made framing
- Custom made stainless steel banding/edging cut on site
- Solid swing black glass door to bathroom
- Toilet-lid opens on entry, sprays air-freshener
- Vivid green carpet, cushion trims add pops of colour, playful panache, softens glossy black treatments
Choice of materials
- High end automated toilet, sink, self-propelled shower head generating LED lighting, indicative of opulent hotels
- Funky, metallic light-fixtures
- White Prima-stone mirror backing accents black marble
- Marble, Prima-stone, High gloss cabinets, funky lighting, Hi-tech fixtures, book-matched veining, stainless edging and trim unite generating luxury masculine retreat
Construction details/techniques to industry best practices
- 72” linear shower drain
- Schluter drains, all foam light weight, ditra-mat, curbs
- Steel structure under shower-bench
- Stainless custom cut on site
- Book-matched Prima-stone 5×8 sheets, veining connects ceiling- floor, mitered-corners resin filled, challenging install in small space
- Increased efficiency with LED-lighting, in-floor heat, water-wise fixtures, water-propelled shower-head
OHAE Silver Finalist
Mod Salon & Style Bar
Efforts to create a unique, innovative design
- Historically infamous as Kettle Valley Railway brothel, this property is classified as heritage home
- Leaving as close to original as possible, the property has been transformed to a bold, edgy, salon
- Millennium pink, black marble, funky fixtures, white and pink furnishings enhanced with gold accents create wow
- 6×6 poured concrete box ensconces gold surround tree, central representation of businesses clean, ethical brand
- Charred cedar wall anchors reception desk
- Gold branding, gold floor receptacles, neon pink slogan lighting adds to glitz of pink night-time glow
- Original ceiling whitewashed matching custom white concrete tops poured in place
- 1/8 Schluter gold edging inlaid between black marble tile
- Custom, made-on-site floating mirrors with black bar wrapping add whimsy
- Floral mural creates backdrop for hair design photography shoots
- LED backlighting at front desk, under tree and charcoal wall create reflective soft lighting
- Recycled glass-tiles, alternating pink stripes, gold fixtures and cone-shaped sconces continue theme in accessible washrooms
- Ergonomic considerations in washing stations, floor mats, merchandising placements
- Old fashioned liquor bar, fully licensed, continue heritage theme
- Reservations accepted for wedding parties and full service events
Integration of project in to setting
- Exterior materials upgraded, modernized within existing footprint maintaining design, style and colours
- New roof installed over existing, allowing interior simplicity of wide-planking to form ceiling
- Beautifully landscaped, outdoor seating, private staff-entrance
- Ample parking
Functionality of floor plan
- Open ceiling, natural light, strategic lighting, reflective materials enhance comfort and elegant simplicity of floor plan
- Black marble floor-tile inlaid abstractly with white marble, detail pathways, connecting work-stations strategically placed enhancing fluid motion through salon
- Two fully accessible washrooms
- Privacy screening between blo-dry/hair stations
- Custom floor-mount rustic timber-framed mirrors create reflective optical illusion in floor pattern
- Old fashioned full-menu licensed bar enhance historic heritage
- Spacious staff-room with under-mount double stainless sink, dishwasher, refrigerator, microwave, washer and dryer
Environmental considerations
- Recycled glass-tile, bathroom walls
- LED lighting
- High efficiency furnace
- Low flush toilets
- Water wise fixtures
- Hot water on demand
- Low VOC paint
- Energy Star appliances
Economic and site restraints
- Heritage standards kept original
- Existing framing challenging out of square
- Replacing exterior portions maintaining character
- Tight timeline required extra hours
- Fixed budget
- Custom work created and facilitated on site ensured on time delivery
OHAE Silver Finalist
The Ultimate Man Cave
Functionality of layout
- Client desired functional garage for his Jaguar, Range Rover and Harley combined with funky space to entertain and remove clutter
- Room is designed to be fully functional as a garage with creative storage and ability to easily revert to party area
- Ping-pong table folds to store when not in use
- Room is fully voice automated, everything responds to voice activation
- Corner archway houses pool cues
- Painted steel cabinets, custom steel handles, steel baseboard and crown molding provide storage for golf clubs and garage items
Unique design features and elements
- Room built around collection of memorabilia and outsourced materials, each one with a story, utilized in the construction of this unique space
- Room is fully voice automated, upon entering voice command turns games on individually, controls neon signs, engages play list, controls volume, light dispersion, turns on TV, garage doors, you can actually talk to the room
- Ceiling’s cloudy look created by layering paint
- Quebec artist created custom wall art series from rusted steel, installed with dimmable lighting each one numbered to change colour on voice command
- Strobe lights operate on voice command also
- TV installed into brick wall, niches for equipment
- Polished concrete floor
Choice of materials
- Light fixtures from 1928 school in Wisconsin, recycled barnwood from farm in Langley, Texaco sign from Nevada, juke-box, all with their own story and history are client’s sourcing passion
- Custom made bar table, herringbone barn wood
- Bar with sealed steel bar top and metal kick plate, tap and keg behind wet-bar refrigeration under counter
- Custom steel work, 2 exterior doors riveted to mimic dungeon doors
- Simulated brick is porcelain tile brick
Construction details to best practices
- Complete design by renovator
- Custom storage units, bar, table fabricated with non-traditional materials
- Wall art creatively fashioned to light-up on voice command
- HRV ducts blended into design
OHAE Silver finalist
Bold Futuristic Retreat
Functionality of layout
- Client is world traveler staying in high end hotels desired same feeling for Master Suite
- Colours were chosen to match individuality of residents and go with flow of the house
- Renovation was done within existing space creating maximum privacy
- Removed existing carpet, polished existing concrete floor in bathroom and bedroom
- Removed partition wall creating blue post and beam giving visual framing for sleeping area
- Added desk area, faux-invisible closet wall, modern en-suite
Unique design features and elements
- Ceiling in both rooms lime-plaster embedded with silver wax presenting cloud effect visual
- Closet hanging rods auto-light when door opens
- Recessed TV appended in ¾” black inlaid steel to high gloss wall
- Auto-powered valance and mirrors
- Biometric locks, receptacles at desk height
- Utilized electric blue to highlight beams, valances, hexagon treatment for desk chair placement and bathroom fixtures
- Built custom shower clad with 10.5×5.5 ft. tiles with each wall one single tile, each one fabricated, mitred and vein matched prior to site installation requiring 4 men to remove interior doorway to transport into bathroom
- Schluter linear drain, vein matched wrapped and mitered in niche
- Floating under-lit Quartz wrapped bench, floor to ceiling vein matched wrapped and mitred niche with two floating shelves
- Blue shower fixtures, glass door custom engraved with client’s initials
Choice of materials
- High gloss 4×8 panels with rotated pattern to create diamond look clad L-shaped wall creating mirror effect
- Automated black-out blinds overlaid with automated custom curtain treatment
- Geometric area rug and wall hanging reflect colour choices
- Unobtrusive closet wall has vertical grain framed touch latch full height doors flanked with open glass shelves for purse collection, maple interiors
- Dyson fixtures project lighting up and down
- Toto neo-rest toilet
- Floating under-lit vanity, white Quartz tops, alter-blue fixture protrudes over top mount sink from full-height vertical mirror
Relationship with clients throughout the project
- Our client is a repeat client, trusting us with the exceptional requirements of each family members’ private space
- Residing in Hong Kong for most of the duration of the work clear, concise communication is key to executing such detailed elements
- We are now beginning another renovation for this same client
National & Local Finalist
Kitchen Renovation – Ptarmigan
Purpose of renovation and challenges
- Client desired 10 year old kitchen be refreshed, modernized using existing cabinets where possible
- Strict budget for whole house renovation required re-finishing, re-purposing and re-using what we could, short time-line to complete
- Colour matching, re-finishing created challenge
Efficient use of space
- Existing cabinets kept in situ, kitchen layout not changed
- New grey cabinets form island, expansive Quartz top creates informal dining spaces, room under island top to tuck stools, fifth stool utilized at desk
- Vegetable sink installed on island inviting assistance in food prep, serving, cooking, cleaning
Creativity and finishing details
- Repainted room and cabinets, added new modern lighting, installed wide plank engineered hardwood floors giving expansive
- Refinished wooden framing, corbels and arch over cooktop accenting new white paint/tile
- Applied glossy white bevelled subway tile backsplash, re-installed pot filler behind gas cooktop
- Large coach light pendants over island lend verve to kitchen, new pulls tie to styling
- Installed Quartz tops with undermount stainless corner sink in kitchen and undermount stainless vegetable sink in island both with goose-neck spray faucets
- New stainless appliances include double ovens, French door refrigerator, dishwasher, gas cooktop with warming oven
- All new lighting, trim, baseboards
Environmental considerations
- Converted halogen to LED lighting
- Installed energy efficient appliances/gas cooktop with warming oven
- Water-wise fixtures
- Upgraded all electrical, changed to décor switches with dimmers
Construction details/techniques to best practice
- Refinished existing products colour matching, staining and repurposing respecting budget
- Considerable time matching products, re-purposing and refinishing existing where possible
- Painstakingly installed backsplash
- Upgraded energy efficiency where parameters of job allowed
National & Local Finalist
Bathroom Renovation – Ptarmigan
Purpose of renovation and challenges
- Existing home very dated
- Homeowners wanted to impact their own style into their bathroom, brighter, modern, efficient
- Working with strict budget, existing floating vanities were re-purposed by re-finishing cabinets adding new tops, backsplash, new fixtures, corner island tub, flooring, new shower, toilet
Efficient use of space
- Cabinets were existing, clean crisp tiles, paint, tops, modern fixtures, mirrors, new lighting magnify space
- Island Tub with floor mount taps nestled between floating vanities in corner window, California shutters allow natural light afford privacy
- Spacious steam-shower with glass surround, enhances expansive feel
Creativity and finishing details
- Finite attention to detail with shower tile installation painstakingly wrapping pattern around corners and vein matching floor and walls in vein matched marble, centre wall long white subway tiles wrapped around in vertical and horizontal application, shampoo niche in center
- Vein matched porcelain marble floor, matched marble insert in steel floor vent
- Refinished existing vanities, added underlighting, Quartz tops, under-mount sinks, goose-neck faucets, glint-edge mirrors, new handles, upgraded lighting with sphere fixture over tub
- Re-finished fixtures over vanities
- Installed multi-head steam-shower with water-pressure squirter, hand-wand in en-suite shower
- Tile clad bench in shower
Environmental considerations
- Low flow Toto toilet with bidet seat
- Converted Halogen to LED Lighting
- Upgraded all electrical, changed to décor switches with dimmers
- Water wise fixtures
Construction details/techniques to best practice
- Floor marble porcelain, vein matched
- Considerable time matching products, re-purposing existing
- Refinished existing products colour matching and repurposing respecting budget
- New tiles in showers painstakingly wrapped, mitred, vein matched with precision and craftsman’s skill increased work
- Installed steel vents, matched porcelain marble veining prior to inserting in vent
- Respected budget!
