Award-Winning Playter Estates Home Renovation with Open Concept

The Kitchen: Classic Charm & Serious Style

The kitchen in this renovation created a warm, inviting space where traditional design meets everyday practicality. The decision to relocate the kitchen to the former dining room was inspired, using the room’s bowed bay window to introduce more natural light. Updating the home’s floor plan this way created a space that felt inherently connected to the home’s history while improving flow and function.

To achieve the homeowner’s desired country-inspired aesthetic, the design embraced shaker-style cabinetry in a rich dark stain, paired with dark quartz countertops that provided a seamless, sophisticated contrast. A white porcelain farmhouse sink became a focal point, reinforcing the space's timeless, handcrafted feel. A combination of under-cabinet lighting and carefully positioned pendant lights accentuates the depth and texture throughout the space. Every element was curated to enhance the home’s craftsman-style features, from the island range hood—a striking feature that required precise engineering—to the two-level kitchen island, which balances food preparation with casual dining.

One of the most memorable details is the stained glass window, a personal touch commissioned by the homeowners from a local artisan. Positioned above the sink, this whimsical feature adds character and serves a practical purpose, obscuring the direct view of the neighbouring home just three metres away while allowing natural light to filter through. Applied to the interior side of a high-performance Marvin window, the glass is removable, ensuring that future owners can adapt the space to their tastes.

The Dining & Living Spaces: Defining Elegance through Structure

An open-concept layout brings a sense of airiness and cohesion to the main floor, but without careful planning, such designs can risk feeling cavernous or undefined. Here, ceiling beams played a critical role—not only in concealing structural elements but also in subtly shaping distinct living zones. The most significant was a 16-inch steel beam required to support the original brick wall above after we removed existing load-bearing structures. Rather than leave this exposed, we integrated it into a series of ceiling beams, ensuring the transition felt intentional and architecturally harmonious.

To enhance the home’s traditional charm, the renovation introduced oak wainscoting and custom millwork, reinforcing the warmth and craftsmanship that define the space. The central fireplace, one of the few original elements left untouched, is a grounding feature, linking past and present. 

The Bathroom Transformation: From Sun Porch to Spa-Like Retreat

What was once an uninsulated sun porch—a step-down space with a sloped ceiling—has now been reborn as a luxurious master ensuite effortlessly integrated into the second floor. The challenge was preserving the original architecture's character while elevating the space to meet modern expectations of comfort and elegance. Instead of leveling the ceiling, the design embraced its natural pitch, cladding it in tongue-and-groove cedar boards to introduce warmth and texture. We love the way this bathroom ceiling design reinforced the home’s country-inspired aesthetic, ensuring a sense of continuity throughout.

The bathroom features both a tub and a shower, offering flexibility without compromising luxury. The farmhouse subway tile strikes the perfect balance between heritage and refinement. Ample windows in the bathroom invite natural light, but strategic placement ensures privacy—particularly important in a space that was once fully exposed to the outdoors. 

High-Performance Upgrades: Comfort Meets Sustainability

This renovation was also about future-proofing the home, making it as comfortable and energy-efficient as possible. Like many century-old houses, the original structure lacked proper insulation, leaving it vulnerable to Toronto’s fluctuating climate. To remedy this, the walls were stripped to the brick and fully insulated, creating a thermal envelope that vastly improved the home’s efficiency.

The renovation also introduced high-quality Marvin windows, chosen for their superior performance and ability to complement the home’s traditional architecture. Unlike the original single-pane windows, these modern replacements enhance insulation while reducing drafts, ensuring a more comfortable indoor environment year-round. We also installed all new electrical wiring and HVAC systems, bringing the home in line with contemporary building standards without compromising its historic integrity.

The Subtle Details That Make a Home

Beyond structural enhancements and high-performance upgrades, it is often the finer details that elevate a home from well-renovated to truly extraordinary. One of the most compelling examples is the custom millwork, which ties the home’s various spaces together. The oak wainscoting in the dining area and solid oak interior doors reinforce the warmth of traditional craftsmanship. Custom trim profiles and period-appropriate casing details ensure that while the home has been entirely reimagined, it never feels out of step with its original era.

Flooring also played a crucial role in unifying the design. The original hardwood was beyond salvageable, so new wide-plank oak floors were installed, carefully chosen to age gracefully over time. These floors extend throughout the main level, providing a seamless visual flow between the open-concept kitchen, dining, and living areas. Special attention was given to leveling the subfloors, eliminating squeaks and uneven transitions, and ensuring a sense of solidity underfoot that is often missing in older homes. Even the lighting was meticulously planned, with recessed fixtures integrated into the coffered ceiling to enhance the definition of each space. 

Thoughtful Craftsmanship in Toronto Whole Home Renovations and Custom Homes

Perhaps the greatest success of this renovation is how effortless it all appears. The stained glass window over the kitchen sink, the exposed beams, the seamless integration of new and old—it all feels natural as if the house was always meant to be this way. That is the essence of great design. This home has been reborn through thoughtful craftsmanship and an uncompromising commitment to quality, not as something different but as the best possible version of itself.

SevernWoods understands that a home’s history should be honoured, not erased. Our expertise in full-scale renovations and fine craftsmanship ensures that every detail is considered, from structural integrity to timeless aesthetics. If you envision your own transformation, let’s discuss how we can bring it to life with the same level of care and precision. Contact us today to start the conversation.

Award: BILD Winner

Photos: Anna Prior Photography