Renovations

One of our focuses this year is on home improvement. We've been gradually knocking off projects since we moved into 541 in 2007, but we wanted to accelerate this year. The kitchen was the final unfinished piece on the main floor. The house exterior and landscape are on-going projects as I write this - I'll have more to report as the summer progresses. For those who've visited 541 - these are our changes - and for those who haven't - this is where we live. 

Kitchen

Before:

After:

The kitchen was the last room to be renovated on the main floor. We didn't want to gut the space - it's serviceable enough. With flooring being replaced in the basement via insurance, we decided to include the kitchen while we had tradesmen in. Removing the hanging shelves over the counter opened up the space, allowing more light to enter and making that counter a more productive surface. The flow is better when we're entertaining as well: I don't have to crane my neck when guests are talking to me from the dining table. 

When we piped gas in last year, with the replacement of our flooded oil furnace for an Energy Star gas furnace, our intention was to convert to a gas stove. With the kitchen renovated, we were ready. After two years of cooking on gas in Korea, we were hooked. The years of cooking on a temperamental, inefficient stove are swiftly being forgotten. Our wok is finally frying vegetables the way it was designed to - for people who love cooking, and cook often, I can't believe what we put up with previously. Human beings = adaptable.

Below:

The light fixture was purchased and installed yesterday, one of the final pieces of the puzzle.

Bathroom

Before:

During: 

Aside from sanding, oiling and waxing our hardwood floors before we moved in, this was our first renovation project. The wallpaper was hell to remove. In hindsight, we should have started with the study or guest bedroom - by the time we got to those rooms our approach and techniques were much more efficient. Renovating the bathroom was a great learning curve.

After: 

Bowl sink by Heinz Laffin, a Hornby potter; indigenous masks from Argentina; graffiti print courtesy of Dan Hinch and one Wellington wall. Whoever names paint colours for Benjamin Moore has quite the job: the brown is Grizzly Bear Brown, and really jives with the pink shower tiles.

Master Bedroom

Before:

During:

After: 

Of all the wallpaper in the house, this was the most interesting. We decided to keep a strip to remind us of the original wall, and to act as a warning against ever papering over our painted walls. The Mandarin Orange is a blast to wake too - and finds a common thread in Jean Greenwood's Winter Warning.

Living Room

Before:

Prior to refinishing the floor.

After:

We installed the fireplace insert and haven't looked back. Heats the whole floor and has visitors succumbing to the soporific comforts of our giant sheepskin rug (8 skins sown together).

With the number of colourful paintings in our possession (the majority by Jean Greenwood, Sarah's grandmother), we decided to go with a neutral tone in the living room. October Mist, a green-grey, is understated without boring us. 

Study & Guest Bedroom

Before:

During:

Yet more wallpaper, and lilac paint beneath.

After:

Hibiscus in the study, one of the more stimulating colours we painted,

 and Morning Sunshine in the guest bedroom.

Hall

In the first photo below, guest bedroom and study are at the far end, left and right, respectively. Bathroom to the left and master bedroom to the right. Love the hardwood floor detail. The colour is Milky Way, on the same palette spectrum as Mandarin Orange, Morning Sunshine, and the second colour in the master bedroom and kitchen, Lighthouse.

Below:

The sushi tray hanging on the wall was made by Sarah's grandfather, a boat builder and wood worker.

Basement

The basement is a work-in-progress, although two sewer floods have sped the process considerably. Thank you, City of Campbell River and Lloyd's of London. More on that later.

The descent: