Project Feature - Simple Beauty
This spacious home, backing on open greenspace boasts natural light with privacy.
Originally built by a developer in 2006, the new owners in 2017 took to a thorough renovation to draw out natural features of the location. With the objective to capture and draw daylight into the centre of the home , obstructions were minimized and light transparent surfaces introduced. With clean lines and honest minimalism lifestyle is simplified.
There were a few surprises along the way, as often happens when you open walls, and in this case the problems left by the original builder became opportunities for improvement. One upper floor bedroom did not receive adequate heat and we discovered why - the single 6” round duct running from the furnace room to the upper floor had 5 - 90 degree elbows. Each elbow diminishes airflow exponentially. Good practice limits the number of times a duct bends over it’s delivery length. We were surprised there was any heat at all. The duct was re-routed with only a single elbow and the heat now flows as it should.
Beneath the stair landing we found a single 2x4 bearing the weight of the entire stair. In addition the landing beam which transfers weight to the wall was only toe-nailed against the post. Good construction practice would have the beam sit on top of the post or hang on the side with engineered metal hanger. The problem was easily rectified and the new stair is rock-solid.
David Baker Design serves as your site liaison is to provide an eye for detail. We work with your builder in making ongoing decisions and address potential issues that could cause problems later.
In detailing spaces and millwork we sought to create simple lines and smooth textures. Under-scaled ceiling moldings were removed, stippled texture ceilings were made smooth with a level 5 drywall finish. Layered moldings were removed and dark, ornate bannisters were replaced with glass. Unessential curves, arches and niches were straightened out creating visual relief. Dark woods in floors and millwork gave way to crisp whites and carefully selected light-touch wood stain.
See more transformative images of this project in our upcoming Before and After blog
“Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication”
- Leonardo da Vinci