Houzz Tour: Totally New Beauty for a Townhouse in Just 5 Months
Hardworking contractors and loved ones help a Canadian Realtor put a run-down house on the fast track to charm
Not everyone could see it at first, but this townhouse had the charm Aleksandra Oleksak was looking for. A Toronto Realtor with a love of renovations, Oleksak was looking for a quirky older home to update when she found this dilapidated townhouse. Five months of remodeling resulted in a beautiful home that combined her favorite design ideas. Tearing down the outdated walls, exposing original brick, making the ceilings lofted and using several favorite gray hues helped Oleksak bring this home's beauty and character to life.
Houzz at a Glance
Designed for: Aleksandra Oleksak
Location: Junction Triangle neighborhood of Toronto
Size: 1,200 square feet, not including basement
Cost: $80,000 for the total renovation
Photography by Joseph K. Muscat
Houzz at a Glance
Designed for: Aleksandra Oleksak
Location: Junction Triangle neighborhood of Toronto
Size: 1,200 square feet, not including basement
Cost: $80,000 for the total renovation
Photography by Joseph K. Muscat
Oleksak had no idea what lay beneath the crumbling drywall, but her contractors revealed an original brick fireplace in the living room. It no longer works, but Oleksak loves having it on display. Brick selectively exposed throughout the rest of the home helps carry the structure's history through the new design.
The coffee table is a hundred-year-old factory cart, refinished by Re: Creative Works. Gray stained oak flooring flows from the living room through the main floor.
Couch: Leons; window treatments: Ikea; wall paint: Pewter Gray, CIL Paint; light fixture: West Elm
Couch: Leons; window treatments: Ikea; wall paint: Pewter Gray, CIL Paint; light fixture: West Elm
BEFORE: The original entryway took guests down a narrow hallway, past the staircase, where eventually they could enter the kitchen, dining and living spaces. The closed-off layout made the spacious house feel smaller.
AFTER: The living room's nook now feels cozy but not cramped, thanks to a new, open main floor.
Oleksak tore down the interior walls on this floor, starting with a blank slate. Many of the home's original details had been covered up or destroyed during previous renovations, but she was able to save the original molding in the dining and living rooms.
Light fixture: HomeSav; window treatments: Ikea
Oleksak tore down the interior walls on this floor, starting with a blank slate. Many of the home's original details had been covered up or destroyed during previous renovations, but she was able to save the original molding in the dining and living rooms.
Light fixture: HomeSav; window treatments: Ikea
Some fiddling and creativity resulted in this unique light fixture — it’s Oleksak’s combination of West Elm cords, Home Depot cover plates and chrome-tipped Morba bulbs.
The dining table combines several separate pieces, too. Oleksak’s mom had the glass left over from an old table, and artisan Steve Wallin custom melded the steel base.
The dining table combines several separate pieces, too. Oleksak’s mom had the glass left over from an old table, and artisan Steve Wallin custom melded the steel base.
BEFORE: Oleksak maintained the original kitchen's layout, to avoid moving any plumbing and to cut down on cost.
AFTER: Although she originally wanted an island, Oleksak quickly realized that it'd be a tight squeeze in this space with the refrigerator against the far wall. Instead she opted for a peninsula, which keeps the main walkway open but still provides extra seating and counter space.
Cabinetry, sink: Ikea; refrigerator: Whirlpool French Door; oven, hood: Whirlpool; bar stools: Urban Barn
Cabinetry, sink: Ikea; refrigerator: Whirlpool French Door; oven, hood: Whirlpool; bar stools: Urban Barn
The kitchen's high-gloss Ikea cabinetry contrasts with the gray stained wood floors, adding to the home's subtly rustic but modern mix. Sticking with Ikea cabinetry and getting a deal on granite from a friend helped Oleksak cut kitchen costs down to $10,000.
Putting most of the cabinetry on one side of the kitchen made extra room for a pantry next to the refrigerator on the other side of the room.
Putting most of the cabinetry on one side of the kitchen made extra room for a pantry next to the refrigerator on the other side of the room.
BEFORE: The staircase inside the front entryway leads up to two bedrooms and a home office on the second floor. Although she debated tearing down the staircase, Oleksak decided to redo it for a more modern look and direct access to the basement.
AFTER: The new custom staircase was one of Oleksak's select splurges, costing about $1,500. A new cedar banister matches the corner post. The combination of pine wood risers and custom steel stringers from Ignac Blacksmith continue the home's unique rustic and modern look.
BEFORE: Half walls, fluorescent lighting and dark wood trim made the old basement feel suffocating. To top it off, the space could be accessed only from outside the house.
The Ikea kitchen island that came with the house is now a bar-console in the basement. The new cedar and pine staircase now leads down from the main floor.
Carpet: dark gray industrial, Diana Flooring
Carpet: dark gray industrial, Diana Flooring
BEFORE: Although the yard was already lined with pavers and came with a table and chairs, it needed some tidying up.
AFTER: Oleksak designed modern fencing with pressure-treated wood cut lengthwise and attached to fence posts horizontally. Low-maintenance plantings fit her need for a simple garden design.
Umbrella: Lowe's; dishware: HomeSense
Umbrella: Lowe's; dishware: HomeSense
In the upstairs office, Oleksak had pine barn doors finished with a special walnut stain to tie in with the gray stained hardwood floors. Boat hooks in lieu of handles add to the rustic look. These stunning, antique-style doors cost about $50 altogether.
Wall paint: Pewter Gray, CIL Paint; mirror: Ikea; desk: refinished antique
Wall paint: Pewter Gray, CIL Paint; mirror: Ikea; desk: refinished antique
Oleksak wanted to make a loft ceiling in the bedroom — the potential was a huge reason she bought the house. The labor and materials for the loft ceiling cost about $700.
A French door found on the street became a headboard with fresh paint. Carefully exposed original brick adds warmth to the cool color palette.
Wall paint: Pewter Gray, CIL Paint; curtains: Ikea; dresser: antique, refinished by Re: Creative Works
A French door found on the street became a headboard with fresh paint. Carefully exposed original brick adds warmth to the cool color palette.
Wall paint: Pewter Gray, CIL Paint; curtains: Ikea; dresser: antique, refinished by Re: Creative Works
BEFORE: Although the bathroom wasn't her style, Oleksak didn't gut the master bathroom, saving money by working with the existing tile.
A new gray wall color contrasts with the bathroom's preexisting tile. Oleksak had her contractors install two Kohler sinks and faucets in an antique dresser, making it a unique and functional vanity. Using the antique dresser, gifted sinks and existing tile kept the bathroom budget at just $1,000.
Wall paint: Tweed, CIL Paint
Wall paint: Tweed, CIL Paint
BEFORE: Although it needed some TLC, Oleksak immediately appreciated the townhouse's charm — as well as its front and center parking spot and low-maintenance front yard and backyard.
AFTER: A fresh coat of Oleksak's favorite neutral (gray, of course) makes the house feel more modern. Her contractors also custom designed a brand-new railing for the front porch.
Exterior paint: Nile Sand, Behr
Exterior paint: Nile Sand, Behr
Free of garbage cans and junk, the front porch is now a welcome place where she can watch the world go by.
The full remodel was completed in five months — thanks in great part to Oleksak's contractors and help from her mom, Margaret Rellinger, and her boyfriend, Amir Shahi.
"We were all on our hands and knees for two weeks straight," says Oleksak. "Staying up until midnight, cleaning, staining, sanding, caulking — anything, really, that we could do to help the contractors speed along the process so I could move in faster."
Your turn: Please tell us about your remodel below!
The full remodel was completed in five months — thanks in great part to Oleksak's contractors and help from her mom, Margaret Rellinger, and her boyfriend, Amir Shahi.
"We were all on our hands and knees for two weeks straight," says Oleksak. "Staying up until midnight, cleaning, staining, sanding, caulking — anything, really, that we could do to help the contractors speed along the process so I could move in faster."
Your turn: Please tell us about your remodel below!