When I was working on the Cabbagetown Project, I was left with a lot of extra material from the kitchen countertops, and decided to get a little creative and DIY myself some style that’s worth the extra effort. If you want to really get the bang out of your buck, then keep on reading as I give you some ideas on how to transform extra material into your next centerpiece, including what I did with my extra countertop!
As Bob Ross says, “we don’t mistakes, just happy accidents.”
Here are some fun ways you can reuse extra countertop!
Use a slab for a matching cutting board
You can never have too many cutting boards, but having one that matches the countertop is a wonderfully subtle statement! It’s a talking point AND you get to scratch up your marble impermanently!
DIY some tables for somewhere else in your home
If you’ve followed me for a while, you’ll know how much I like to carry styles from one room to the other. Tie your home together by using the extra countertop to create more counter space in other spaces, like the living room or master bedroom!
Oh, don’t need a side table? Tie spaces together by using it to make a stunning COFFEE TABLE! Marble coffee tables aren’t just for movies and show spaces in high end furniture shops. Bring high fashion home just by using that extra fat slab of marble. If you don’t have quite enough for that, cut it up into squares to put under your coffee so that you don’t spoil your existing coffee table.
Incorporate it into your back splash
This is what I did with the Cabbagetown Project to further that sleek, modern feel in this old Victorian home. It creates a uniformity that can’t be replicated anyway else, and it’s definitely a new age design that adds subtlety to your backdrop.
There are so many ways to innovate and reuse old materials instead of just throwing it away with your money. It just takes some Bob Ross level creativity.
Tell me all about your DIY success stories! I love to learn more about how I can reuse materials and innovate new designs, and you guys are my inspiration!
Until next time!
Ready to get started on your dream home design? Contact Dvira Interiors. We look forward to incorporating our vision, scope, technical expertise and industry connections to make your home’s design/build experience as positive and rewarding as possible.
You would never think that such a decrepit, crumbling interior would exist in a community as beautiful as Cabbagetown. Located near one of the most beautiful parks in Toronto, this old Victorian row house was a wreck, but you know what they say: one man’s trash is another man’s treasure!
With its closed off spaces and dust that owner Robert had to shower off the first time he visited, we magicked this house into the modern, open concept stunner it is now! I’m here to give you all the intel, room by room, on how we flipped this ancient mess into a contemporary home that still has that Cabbagetown Victorian charm.
Before we get into that, keep something in mind: it’s important when designing a small city home that you consider the elements you want to incorporate ahead of time, to ensure smart planning of a functional AND aesthetically pleasing design. This will guarantee that no on the fly decisions will wreck the delicate balance between old and new in the space.
On that note, get ready for the tour!
Main Floor
In order to open up the staircase and give the main floor feel more spacious, we used glass railings throughout the staircase. That way the wall popped and brought movement to the top floor, so the spotlight fell on other aspects of the space.
Not to mention our favorite open concept! We placed the kitchen in the center of the home so that it became an anchor between the living and dining room, transforming it into the heart of the home. It’s great for families because you can see everyone both in the living room and dining room while cooking up a storm in the kitchen!
We decided to go with a pop art theme, which really speaks to the modern motif. The dining room and living room are placed beside the kitchen, so the wall really pops (pun intended) and becomes the feature point of the whole floor!
Kitchen
We incorporated a variety of different styles in this kitchen, a play between the classic and contemporary modern. There’s a lot of combination to promote as much seamlessness as possible. This makes it unique, but timeless in its application as well!
We tucked fridge away behind cabinet doors to make it camouflage and transition right into the pantry cabinets. Also, life hack! We used extra marble material that was intended for the counter, and created the backsplash for the kitchen! This consistent pattern introduces more uniformity as well.
You’ll notice this recycling of familiar colors and textures throughout the kitchen that ties it all together. For example, to give the kitchen a high end look we create a custom hood with gold details and an olive color that matched the island. This way, choosing the bold olive tone enhances the kitchen and creates boundaries from the all-white kitchen, rather than drowning everything else out.
We also gave the island stainless steel frames to not only help define the panel of the cabinetry and help against bangs and scuffs that take place in a family home, but the beautiful sloped custom range hood ties into the same color scheme as the island! The island also becomes complete with the stainless steel strips that give the hood an industrial feel.
The Master Bathroom
You’ll probably notice the sliding barn door, a rustic style popular for its function AND beauty. The real highlight of the bathroom, though? High. Ceilings. Who doesn’t like high ceilings?
If high ceilings don’t cut it for you, consider the great shower system as well as exquisite marble tiles that go around the full bathroom!
Adding a feature wall behind the toilet made out of a beautiful textured rough stone creates a nice backdrop with a warm and inviting feel and has a very nice contrast against the white stone installed on the floor and against the shower.
To make the most out of the space we designed a vanity with drawers that store everything for your everyday needs. Since it is a city feel instead of chrome we went with a nice black finish for the faucet hardware.
And there you have it! Robert loves this new space, and we hope you do too! It takes a lot of meticulous planning to get the most out of a complete transformation like this, but it really goes to show that it’s possible, and total worth it!
Tell me what you think of the space, and if you would ever consider making a home! Also, I want to know what you prefer, modern sleek, old time charm, or a combination of both?
Are you looking to completely reno and transform your space? Ensure the careful smart planning you need from day one, and contact Dvira Interiors! We look forward to incorporating our vision, scope, technical expertise and industry connections to make your home’s design/build experience as positive and rewarding as possible.
If you’re based in Toronto, you’ll know all about outdated houses in the city. With young families discovering these old spaces, there’s a desire to update it for the 21st century, without getting rid of the vintage charm – but that can be pretty costly.
I want to tell you all about designing a space without breaking the bank. With a little meticulous planning and cost-effective materials, you can make your space feel brand new, with a taste for the old.
The Bathroom
It’s All In The Tiles
Subway tiles have been around since the 20th century, and they’ve stuck around because of their timeless look! There are a lot on the market that are both cost effective AND high quality. Speaking of tile, tile prints that emulate a mosaic style doesn’t require the same countless hours and costly materials to put in, so you get the same patterns for a much lower cost.
The Master Bedroom
Customized Without the Custom Price
If you’re dreaming of a walk in-closet but don’t have the funds or the space, a great alternative is transforming an entire wall into storage space. Customize it by getting pre-fab cabinets and meticulously placing them in a way that fits for you. It’s the ultimate way of getting that stunning custom look without the insane budget!
Kitchen
Classic With A Modern Edge
Continue incorporating familiar elements throughout the house – like with the tiles! Add a bevel edge for some modern edge, making it pop out against monochrome. You can add dark accents, like dark grout for light colored subway tiles, to add extra contrast and interest to the space!
Check out my YouTube video for more details and a walk through on how you can continue to design on a budget. Be sure to share with someone you think has the taste for turn of the century style with a modern twist!
Ready to get started on your dream home design? Contact Dvira Interiors. We look forward to incorporating our vision, scope, technical expertise and industry connections to make your home’s design/build experience as positive and rewarding as possible.
The first thing people see when they walk into a space? COLOUR.
I was really excited to learn what this year’s Benjamin Moore Colour of the Year was, and I am not disappointed. Turns out that this stunning blushy pink is not just for the nursery anymore, which is SUCH a delight. This is one of my favorite shades to play around with in different spaces.
The colour is First Light 2102-70, which makes for stunning accent walls, for plush pillows, or even a specialty cabinet – or a decked out walk in closet with all the regal details to boot, like in the features photo! The possibilities are endless as long as you let your imagination run wild.
This little statement from Andrea Magno, the Benjamin Moore Director of Colour Marketing and Development, says it all:
“We selected First Light 2102-70 as our Colour of the Year 2020 to represent a new dawn of idealism, design, and living. [It] reflects a new definition of the home – a shift in mindset from the material to satisfying the core needs in life: community, comfort, security, self-expression, authenticity and ultimately, optimism.”
If you thought that was all, it’s just the beginning. The runner ups for this colour are equally as zen and à la mode as it gets.
The cool blue gray of Windmill Wings encapsulates that late fall mood we feel settling into our (blush pink!) pillows with a hot beverage. Its use in these two photos are stark – you can isolate the colour for a moody focal point that stands out, or surround yourself with this colour that feels like a getaway to an oasis!
The subtle elegance of Cushing Green here adds a pop of colour to any space, and it really ties into the indoor plant craze that’s going around – and no complaints here! The use of green in this kitchen is a nice touch, and is enough to make anyone who comes over feel relaxed!
Colour can be divisive, but I think the general consensus will be that there’s something here for everybody! It’s a wide spectrum if there ever was just one, so it’s nice to see some colours capture the spotlight.
Another year has gone by while another exciting year ahead calls for fresh, novel and intriguing ideas, elements and finds in the design world!
To start the year in a cheerful mood, Pantone, the world’s leading trend forecaster has named a vibrant pink called ‘honeysuckle’ the colour of the year! This is a fun, feminine and positive colour that’s great to use in any room in your house as a focal wall, or simply as an decorative accent, from a statement chair to a couple of throw pillows. You can get the look of the year with just a few brilliant finds.
If pink is not your cup of tea, then check out some of the other leading colours that are hot this year:
– Blue is making a striking comeback. Look for deep shades of blue, including Benjamin Moore 2122-30 Cloudy Sky, 2131-50 Nimbus Gray and 2135-40 Province Blue.
– Gray is still the neutral alternative to beige, my favourite finds are Benjamin Moore: CC-490 Smokey Taupe and ICI 20YY 57/060 O’Keefe Grey.
– Refreshing Yellows and Greens are an uplifting palate for just about any room in the house. Check out Benjamin Moore HC-2 Beacon Hill Damask or ICI 70YY 66/130 Habitat.
When it comes to furniture, accessories and décor, the hottest looks for this year share many of the same essentials, from rustic natural woods, to vintage and industrial-inspired finds.
– The relaxed UK look, includes weathered leather upholstery, vintage trucks, industrial chairs, natural brown and blue shades and of course some mention of the Union Jack.
– The stylish equestrian look is another approach that has many of similar characteristics to that of the above, including worn leathers, casual woods, and a contrast of dark and light neutral shades, yet this version feels a little more polished, prim and proper while including décor elements reminiscent to that of a horseback rider.
– The rustic French country look that derives its style from the typical artisan bakery also shares many of the similar materials and finishes as the above two looks. This look is typically characterized by its raw woods, carrera marble countertops and white subway tiles.
– The Eclectic-unique style is one that combines the new and the old while merging some astonishing pieces, from artsy finds to vintage classics. This look can be a merger of the industrial with soft, colourful and textured goods.
Whatever your style, taste and look, have fun with it, be bold, and merge the unexcpected while combining what is fresh, new, old and vintage.
(Photo credit: Frederic Sierakowski / Rex Features)
Now that the holidays have passed and we feel bad for all those guilty pleasures that we indulged in, it is probably time to hit the gym! However, after hefty holiday expenses and the frigid weather upon us, there are plenty of excuses why we can’t afford or just don’t want to make the trek to the dreaded fitness center!
Why not allocate a space in your home for your own private gym? The initial expenses to get set up will certainly work in your favour in the long run.
Start by dedicating a space in your home. Don’t be discouraged by the location because you are about to transform it into a little zen zone!
Ensure that you declutter that area because no one will be motivated to work out next to a stack of banker boxes or kids toys.
Look at the flooring in your space and decide if it has enough cushion and support. You can easily add another layer or cushion with some foam mats, like those used for kids play mats, or with some modular carpet tiles. Check out FLOR, for some fun and affordable options.
Grab a roller and a bucket of paint, refresh your walls with a serene color, go for Benjamin Moore: Dewdrop CC-608 Or ICI Oriental Ivory 50GY 73/049. These colours will be sure to refresh your mind, body and soul during a vigorous workout!
Get yourself an inexpensive flat screen TV. This is the perfect time of year for sales on electronics. This is not an area where you have to splurge; you can get a basic model that has a DVD built into it. After all, you’ll only be using it for workout videos or to watch your favourite show during your aerobics.
Opt for alternate and inexpensive workout equipment. Today, there are so many ways to get fit without having to splurge on bulky and pricey workout gear. Look for dumbbells, a yoga matt, a fitness trampoline, or invest in a Wii Fit system so you can have fun while shedding the pounds. There are also plenty of second-hand gym apparatus stores where you can grab a treadmill or a multi-gym system for a quarter of the price of a new one. You can also check online auctions like Craigslist and Kijiji for bargain finds.
Ensure you have ample light in your workout zone to motivate and stimulate you since dim lights will make just about anyone fall asleep! Get pot lights installed or find a track light that provides high voltage output.
Ventilation is key so you may want to install an overhead fan or just a standard floor fan will do the trick.
Storage is essential for stowing workout videos, dumbbells, mats, ropes and other workout props. A cube unit like Ikea’s Expedit system, or a wardborbe cabinet by Closetmaid are great affordable options that look neat and tidy in any gym.
If you want to get fancy, you can use kitchen base cabinets to create a bar-like counter that spans one side of the room. This area can be used to house all your gym props and some refreshments.
Installing full length, wall-to-wall mirrors is a great way to make your space look larger. Before choosing to do so, take measurements of your walls and go to your local mirror/glass fabricator. Some fabricators have standard sizes that they work with, so you can save a few bucks by working with their sizes. You may end up having the mirrors a little shorter or narrower, but regardless you will still gain the same result and save money doing so.
It’s time to get to work in setting up your home gym. You may even burn some calories while laying down the floors, painting and getting your workout room together.