Have a look at a unique home renovation and condo beautification in Oakville, as it nears completion. The job started a few months earlier when we met the property owner and explored his vision to modernize and ‘open-up’ his 1400sq. ft. condominium. Our interior design team started by providing floorplans and schematics detailing some of the ideas and options available. We drafted plans which became our blueprints as we set about removing three separate partition walls to combine the kitchen, dining and living rooms into a single more spacious open concept living area.
Our team put together some Before & After composite images, and some work-in-progress pictures, and I discuss the job in a short video. The report shows our dynamic construction company deploying professional services in a smaller-than-usual space, but delivering the same high quality results and satisfaction our clients have come to expect.
This Luxury Condo Is Now an Open Space and Even More Luxurious
After a few good conversations exchanging our ideas, we agreed to build a well appointed nine-foot, floor-to-ceiling custom kitchen and island with the 24’ x 21 family room and built-in entertainment unit.
Eastview Homes’ Construction Manager Keith Travers walks through our most recent condominium renovation project explaining how and why everything was done while exhibiting a more spacious, more convenient, and ultimately more valuable private dwelling.
Renovating Condos can be more Challenging than Houses
Condos are entirely different creatures than residential houses because of their unique structure, ownership model, and physical layout. There’s no basement, attic, or roof to improve, and no work on the exterior is allowed. Load-bearing walls, plumbing stacks, and HVAC systems are shared between units which also limits design possible as some of this infrastructure cannot be moved or modified. We got lucky however because of where the unit is located in the building, we were able to add a kitchen island, but generally speaking such an upgrade is a primary design consideration because it requires piping under the floor.
In a more traditional residential home renovation, we can run pipes anywhere. In a real house, our work environment typically includes the basement as we improve infrastructure from the ground to ceiling, right up to the attic, and through the roof, and our renos usually upgrade all of the windows and doors. In a regular house, we have much greater flexibility to move walls, build extensions, or reroute plumbing and electrical systems. But none of that is possible inside the concrete shell of a modern condominium, where even the windows and exterior doors are off limits.
More Approvals and Permits are Required
In this example, the condominium owner had already sought and received approval from the condo board, and our plans were submitted and approved by them in addition to the usual municipal inspectors. We had some flexibility with regards to moving the utilities, but much less than we’d have in a traditional house and no leeway to move larger pipes, electrical systems, or common walls. Our renovation was limited to the interior of the unit where we removed a non-load bearing wall separating the kitchen and living room, and we remodeled the kitchen entirely, ‘turning it around’ by adding a quartz-top kitchen island with a sink, and with under the counter appliances, and by adding better overhead lighting. The windows, doors, balconies, and entryways are considered common elements and cannot be altered.
Renovating Condos Can Present Complex Logistical Challenges
Just getting men and materials on site is harder in condominiums because of the population density, town bylaws, and the building’s own policies and regulations. But it’s understandable; everyone living in close proximity to our project cannot be expected to stop their lives on our account. Consequently, we were careful in our comings and goings and in the noise and dust we created. All new building materials had to be received and accepted in a nearby parking area during business hours and then quietly ferried into the structure using handcarts and trollies. All debris from demolitions, the sawdust, and offcuts and leftover materials had to be similarly repacked and shuttled down the elevator to a rear stairway and exterior bin. We laid down floor matts and taped protective barriers on common walls as an extra precaution, but Eastview’s team is incredibly professional, and mindful, and so in this instance we were the ideal contractors.
Condo Renovations Generate Sound and Vibrations
In our experience, and although we try our very best, home remodeling projects in posh neighbourhoods can generate the occasional noise complaint. It’s a fact of life. The beeping trucks, concrete saws and hammering nails can aggravate anyone trying to relax nearby. But that’s nothing compared to the outrage and demonstrable anger condo residents feel toward visiting contractors. That’s because condo renovations can be absolutely maddening for neighbours as heavy duty power tools create both noise and vibrations which permeate their entire domicile and make it impossible to ignore the disturbance. With this in mind, Eastview proceeded mindfully, giving all the closest residents plenty of notice.
The main bathroom had all finishes upgraded including floating vanity, practical corner shower and glass enclosure and upgrade in the tile surround with soap box and heated floors. Our designers added stylish wallpaper to imbue elegancy and fashion.
The ensuite renovation converted an acrylic bathtub into a walk-in, two-person shower. In addition to similar finishes seen in the main bathroom we allocated built-in cabinetry for storage and laundry hamper along with custom vanity with quartz countertops.
Acrylic Bathtub Became a Glass Enclosed Shower in Washroom Makeover
The design trend away from steel bathtubs and towards stand-up showers is understandable in condominium washrooms where space is at a premium. A glass enclosed shower stall looks cool and was made popular in Hollywood movies and television. But all things considered, shower stalls are safer for the elderly or anyone with a disability because it eliminates the slippery metal trip hazard, and the high stepping gymnastics routine required to enter and exit the old fashioned bathtub convenience. We tiled the stall with white subway tiles and papered the rest of the room. The custom vanity has a quartz countertop which matches all others in the unit.
Renovating Condo Bedrooms to be More Restful
Renovating bedrooms in condominiums means balancing aesthetic improvements with practical designs inside the constraints of community living. We added acoustic barriers to existing walls and installed solid core doors for increased soundproofing and privacy because studies show these doors significantly reduce noise transfer between rooms. The homeowner choose doors with soft-close hinges and modern hardware which matches other new fixtures in the unit.
Each bedroom has a unique lighting design
Giving it some thought beforehand, Eastview’s electrician designed and installed unique lighting setups for both bedrooms. We combine the ambient light (the window and ceiling light), with task lighting (reading lamps), and accent lighting (wall sconces) and there are LED lights in the closets.
Our electrician also installed smart dimmers which will allow the resident to control brightness for relaxation or reading, and we recommended two-ply drapes with the second layer being blackout curtains which are especially popular choices in urban condos exposed to the city’s bright lights.
Customizing Closets Makes Bedrooms More Comfortable and Efficient
We designed and shelved the perfect closet in the master bedroom to maximize vertical space with drawers, shelves, and organizers. A properly partitioned closet can positively impact the occupant’s professional life by reducing stress, saving time, and improving decision-making, especially as that relates to wardrobe choices. When a closet is in order, it can foster a sense of control and tranquility, and lead to more peaceful and productive days. For all these reasons and more, we believe this is an important improvement which really adds value to the property.
The unit’s front entrance also received a significant upgrade; we eliminated conventional closets and sliding doors and replaced them with another custom built-in, organized shelving area which includes LED strip lighting and a handy foot bench.
Laundry room, as seen in the photo above, awaits the combined washer and overhead dryer appliance which has yet to be delivered. This room was provided a much needed upgrade and given additional cabinetry, a folding countertop and more storage in what is a small yet very practical use of space.
Some finishes used within this condo renovation include engineered full glue down flooring, Caesarstone quartz countertops and backsplash, and Poplar step baseboard and casing. A variety of different porcelain tiles and marble jambs were used throughout. Custom cabinetry can be found in the kitchen, island, pantry, and entertainment unit with electric linear fireplace, laundry room, vanities, bedroom closet organizers and front foyer built in / organizer. We replaced three interior doors with three-panel, solid-core doors with polished chrome hardware.
Everything considered, we’re proud of this job and what we have achieved in this small space.
