Thursday, September 11, 2014

Coles Dream Renovation: The Beginning Phase


 There is a very special ARIM project in the works! Owner of A Room In Mind, Keely Coles, has taken on another exciting adventure of home renovation....but this time in her OWN home.  Keely and her husband Mike, have decided to renovate their cozy bungalow in downtown Burlington to create their very own dream home for their growing family.
 

 The small bungalow was a "zero hesitation purchase" for the Coles Family, moving in 5 years ago when Keely was pregnant with her first baby.  Upon moving in, they fell in the love with the neighbourhood and location in downtown Burlington and knew that the home would one day be a renovation project.  The home was small, but at that point in their lives the layout was manageable. Five years and two busy children later, it is time for the Coles Family to expand and bring a functional dream space to life.
 

 The plans for the renovation started in November of 2013 with the help of Darren Sanger Smith at Structured Creations. Keely and Darren worked together to create a more efficient space that meets the needs of a growing and busy family lifestyle.  The plans evolved into a great room addition that expands the width of the house, a basement addition that includes 9' ceilings, a complete gut of the existing interior, and a new front porch.  
  
For the exterior of the home, Darren designed a façade 
 that fits both into the appearance of the neighbourhood and also visually flows into the interior of the home. Featuring a craftsman style exterior, the colours chosen and attention to detail create a warm and inviting family home.

 In the interior of the home, a mix of transitional and contemporary style will be a focus throughout. Keely wanted a style that reflected both her design work and a comfortable family atmosphere. The floorplan and finishes will be thoughtfully designed to focus on the common theme of "attention to the detail" to enhance every corner of their "new" bungalow. The open concept feel in the main living space will create the ultimate great room with specific attention to the traffic flow needed for a busy family...and perfect for entertaining family and friends!

 The renovation is still in the beginning construction phase, and the main finishes are being selected as we speak! The colour palette will feature soft neutral permanent finishes, pops of colour, and black and white contrasts for a hit of the unexpected.  Neutral hard finishes such as flooring and tile will leave room for pattern and extra detail to add character.   Hand scraped engineered Hickory hardwood that is stained medium brown will run throughout. This is a great option for a warm, family friendly home, as the texture makes imperfections less visible...perfect for young busy children!

 Balancing clients and the design of her own home will be a challenge for Keely in the upcoming months.  But her experience, expertise, and access to the latest home products is giving her and her family a leg up.  Her hands will be full with sourcing cabinetry, millwork details, furniture, fabrics, and accessories...as well as managing all of the trades to make sure they are finished on time and budget.  Stay tuned for more renovation updates as the Coles' dream home unfolds.