This home is a four bedroom property in Richmond Hill. Owned by the principal designer of HID, Tanya Freedman, (the banner of HID is from this home) the excellent photos were taken by Frank Cutrara. This twenty-eight year-old house has had makeovers in several stages. The office (sorry for the bad quality of the before picture) was updated from the cornice molding down to the hardwood floors. The light exposure allowed this room to be painted with this gorgeous light mocha brown. The classic antique light fixture from France adds authentic style to an otherwise modern home office.
The library was a basement storage room for art and other materials, and after a flood it was transformed into a light bright and comfortable library which can be used as a music room, too. The lighting, on dimmer switches, one of Tanya’s favorite things to use in any homes, and the pot lights add incredible style and good reading light.
The dining room was updated last year and it was amazing how the old dark burgundy wallpaper had sucked in all the light. Now it’s classic, warm and full of brightness and pops of gold. Another of Tanya’s favorite things to use in any home and any room is the use of mirrors. In this room there are four different styles of mirrors, with one commonality: all of them are gilded gold of similar hues. The full step-by-step project will be posted in the end of July. Watch this space.
The bedroom was brought into the new millennium with a thick cornice molding, a crystal chandelier on a dimmer switch, and new window treatments and bedding. With the custom cushions on the lounger and the custom headboard, now it’s a true sanctuary. The kitchen dining area was very dingy and although the south-facing area is big, it was unwelcoming. Changing the window treatments and bringing in a comfortable espresso solid wood dining set transformed it to a place the family uses it all the time.
The upper landing is the best example of how the magic of mirrors change any space to add even more pizazz. The underwhelming huge brass chandelier had to stay, so HID’s Tanya Freedman bought real crystal beads and dressed it herself. Then the mirror panels were installed – the 8 large central panels were from Lowes, and the 4 side panels were custom bought to fit the entire wall. It all still came well under budget. Now the light from the chandelier as well as the daylight brings so much more sparkle into upper landing and the upstairs.
The large pie shaped land allowed this space to be transformed into a gorgeous English garden with a European flare of marble bistro set on a large 14ft. diameter patio. All the garden projects will be shared over the next summer weeks. Watch this space.
As so many of us know, putting money into updating or renovating the kitchens or bathrooms are the best investment property owners can make. However, the majority of the home owners on a small budget have other options, rather than get into further debt, or try their hand at DIY (do-it-yourself). If like in these two bathrooms, the structure was good and the budget tiny, the best way forward is to update the linoleum to interesting and high quality ceramic or porcelain tiles and new vanity, counters, and hardware. From dark and dingy to up-to-date and clean and welcoming. Voila. The break down of the pricing of these two examples will be posted in the end of July. Watch this space.
Finally, this large room had to be put in a time machine and brought into the new millennium from a teen’s dark and dated space into a bright, airy and neutral schemed bedroom. This is especially the way any bedroom should look to inspire prospective buyers – and their children – to imagine moving in to these uncluttered rooms.