Dustin Court
BACK
Municipality: Saanich
A Change in Flow and Style Revives The Heart Of This 1990 Era Home
A tired 1990s kitchen and dark family room turn into a fresh, family hub. Now bright and contemporary with an easy flow, this “heart of the home” feels decidedly 21st Century. It’s ready to welcome everything from meal prep and after-school catchups to entertaining friends in stylish comfort.
Before renovations could start, we had to address uneven, sagging floors and related structural issues. This included re-engineering in the crawlspace and repairing cracked walls. Once the floor was level and structurally sound, we laid light oak laminate flooring in the kitchen, family room, and throughout the main floor common areas for a seamless look.
Alexandra Graham Interiors reworked the kitchen layout, replacing the peninsula with an island and extending built-in storage. White, slim shaker cabinetry includes a new pantry with pullout shelving, ensuring everything has a place. An aesthetically integrated oven hood and hidden coffee station appliance garage contribute to a clean look. Professionally installed white subway tiles make the kitchen feel timeless, and wood slab open shelving provides beautiful display options.
A new skylight floods the kitchen with natural light, while additional potlights in the kitchen and family room add pleasant interior lighting for function and mood. The ceiling also boasts a smooth finish, with the dated textural application a thing of the past.
Upgrades to the adjoining family room complement the kitchen renovation’s modern farmhouse feel. Gone is the wood stove with its brick hearth. In its place, we installed a minimalist gas fireplace set into a shiplap surround; a rustic wood mantel floats above. We also rebuilt the back wall of the home to swap the locations of the windows and French doors, creating better flow within the space and out to the backyard.
Outside, we added a paving stone walkway from the French doors to the newly-built, paving stone patio. A gas fire pit completes the space.
We completed
- Kitchen millwork, including cabinetry and trim
- Tile and quartz countertop installation
- Laminate flooring installation throughout the main floor common areas
- Structural repair to the crawlspace and the damaged interior walls
- Levelling uneven floors
- Skylight installation in the kitchen, bedrooms and living room
- Exterior repair and stucco work
- Electrical, including potlights and appliance garage
- Windows plus interior and exterior door installation
- New stone patio
- Interior painting throughout the main floor
- Reshingling the roof
a trusted residential construction leader offering design and build services to clients in Greater Victoria, Oak Bay, and the Gulf Islands
Client objectives
An active family, the homeowners wanted an inviting heart of the home that supported their busy lives and had a contemporary yet casual feel. They first considered moving to find what they desired, but a love for their neighbourhood led them to stay and renovate their current home.
Functionally, the homeowners had three priorities for their Victoria renovation: more storage to keep clutter tucked away, a kitchen with an easier flow and more light, and a family room that would feel more spacious without adding square footage. As for style, they wanted something fresh, bright, and relaxing.
Project Challenges
Uneven floors required an engineering assessment and structural repair before any kitchen renovations started. During the design process, skylight placement had to be reassessed to accommodate the existing roofline, ultimately resulting in a successful installation in the kitchen that enhanced the overall space.
Service That Goes Beyond
With all our home renovations in Victoria, the Flintstones team works hard to ensure our clients experience minimal disruption to their lives and enjoy the process. In this case, the family opted to move out during their 5-month renovation, so we focused on maintaining a considerate relationship with neighbours on their behalf. Our team made sure we:
- Worked onsite within acceptable hours
- Sent letters to neighbours informing them of the renovation
- Offered open communication to the neighbours
- Ensured the worksite was always safe and clean by storing materials and equipment out of the way
- Acquired the necessary Saanich building permits
