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My Houzz: Minimalist Midcentury Bungalow in Canada
A 1940s Ontario bungalow gets a minimalist update with a clever architectural addition and a black and white palette
Susan and Andre Oliver started their home remodel with nothing more than a napkin doodle and a great idea. Inspired by a home they saw in Dwell, the couple opted to renovate their 1940s bungalow to give it a modern layout and facade. They commissioned Bayview Design to draw up a plan and subsequently transformed a breezeway between the bungalow and the detached garage into a cube-shaped addition.
As their vision became a reality, they continued to put their own creative marks on their home. "I like the character of the old mixed with the minimalist modern vibe," says Susan.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Susan and Andre Oliver, with their 3 children
Location: Sarnia, Ontario, Canada
Size: 1,100 square feet, plus a 500-square-foot addition
That's interesting: Throughout their 27-year marriage, Susan and Andre have used shades of black and white in every home they've lived in.
As their vision became a reality, they continued to put their own creative marks on their home. "I like the character of the old mixed with the minimalist modern vibe," says Susan.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Susan and Andre Oliver, with their 3 children
Location: Sarnia, Ontario, Canada
Size: 1,100 square feet, plus a 500-square-foot addition
That's interesting: Throughout their 27-year marriage, Susan and Andre have used shades of black and white in every home they've lived in.
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Susan and Andre purchased the home because of its great location. They loved the neighborhood as well as the character of this well-built home, but wanted to modernize it and give it a minimalist look. Their black and white color palette begins at the front door.
Vases: 18karat; mailbox, house numbers: Blomus
Vases: 18karat; mailbox, house numbers: Blomus
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| The cube addition, visible to the right of the house (click photo to see full view), combines the old and new structures into one. "Sometimes the house tells the story itself, and you have to follow it, and that's when the magic happens," Susan says. |
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| The living room showcases Susan's personal design philosophy. "Anchor a room with a block wall. Mix organic, natural materials with slick modern pieces. Own less but buy quality," she says. Four white swivel chairs on a cowhide and a faux white deer head above the fireplace punctuate the black walls. Susan's dad, a retired sheet metal worker, built a pan to hold pebbles, which Susan used as a base for an ethanol firebox in the fireplace. White swivel chairs: Zuo Mod |
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| A white lacquered desk, an old gilt mirror painted white and a chrome chair form a minimal home office at one end of the living room. Paperwork is neatly stored in the white credenza on the opposite wall. Desk: Chair Tech |
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| The living room provides a sight line to the sleek, clean kitchen. Although the kitchen has only one small window, plenty of light from the new cube addition flows in. White counter stools and living room wall cabinet: Nuevo |
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| Susan and Andre wanted to leave this space off the kitchen free and open for a spacious, modern feel. Their teenage kids vetoed the idea and requested a table and chairs for dining and mingling with friends. Table and chairs: Nuevo |
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The Olivers removed a window from the home's original dining room — now a breakfast area — to create a stairway to the new addition and bridge the detached garage to the home.
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| The biggest design challenge in matching the cube addition to the existing garage structure was leveling the floors, which took two different tradespeople. The square shape of the 14-foot pool mimics the cube. Susan and Andre served as their own contractors, hiring local tradespeople and even tapping the talents of Susan's father, who installed the heating and cooling systems and the exterior cladding. Andre did all the painting. |
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The cube addition boasts 18-foot ceilings and serves as a dining room as well as a bridge from the original house to the family room. High windows bring in light and afford views of the backyard and pool. Three white leather chairs line each side of a rustic table, and two white floor vases hold simple branches for texture.
Table and chairs: urbanescape; floor vases: 18karat
Table and chairs: urbanescape; floor vases: 18karat
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The cube also serves as a side entrance from the driveway. The gray cowhide and the two organic stools make beautiful, functional additions to the foyer. Bamboo flooring runs throughout the entire home to make all spaces flow smoothly.
Stools: urbanescape
Stools: urbanescape
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| The former garage was converted into this modern family room. The daybed-turned-coffee-table adds flexibility and versatility. The antlers on the side table were found by a friend in northern Ontario and echo the room's clear view of the outdoors. Sectional: Romano; daybed: Chair Tech |
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Sculptural spheres, loosely arranged on the floor in front of a leaning wall mirror, add texture in the family room. Susan chooses furniture and accessories carefully. And when she wants something new, her old pieces usually go to family and friends.
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Susan used the hall space over the basement staircase to install glass shelving for serving pieces. "Think outside the box. It takes creativity to take an old house and make it new," she says.
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| The Olivers jazzed up the original wall tile in the bathroom with a modern mirror. A round sink installed in the original countertop, which was repainted, updates the midcentury look for now, but a total bath renovation is on the agenda. |
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| A clean-lined square table and matching stool set takes Susan and Andre's love of contemporary design outside. They plan to complete a garden design in the near future. |
Ideabook published on May 19, 2012.
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Having said that, there are some beautiful elements to this redesign. The cube addition is one. The bathroom is the other, but then, the owner plans to gut it. The use of black, white, and wood is also appealing.
Ieteke
Yes, I like this mid century home as well and I certainly believe you can be a minimalist with color!