The Florence Residence — A Full Home Renovation in Ontario
The Florence Residence was the project that reminded me why renovation is often harder than building from scratch.
The bones were good. The family was clear on what they wanted. But a home that had been lived in for years had accumulated decisions — some intentional, most not — that needed to be undone before anything new could begin.
We kept the footprint. We changed everything else.
The Kitchen
The Kitchen — Matte Black Cabinetry, Marble Herringbone and Reclaimed Wood Beams
The kitchen is always the room I spend the most time on. At the Florence Residence, I knew from the first walkthrough that it needed to be bold.
Matte black cabinetry paired with warm walnut millwork — the contrast that makes the room feel dramatic without feeling cold. A herringbone backsplash adds texture and movement. Reclaimed wood ceiling beams bring architectural character overhead and carry the warmth of the walnut through the whole space.
The result is a kitchen that feels simultaneously grounded and alive. The kind of room where cooking feels like an occasion rather than a routine.
This kitchen was designed as part of our full-service interior design and renovation process in Ontario.
The Living Room
The Living Room — Custom Walnut Built-Ins, Organic Wallpaper and Layered Warmth
The living room was the room I kept coming back to during the design process.
A custom built-in shelving unit in dark walnut frames the fireplace — designed to feel like it was always part of the architecture. Open shelving styled with layered pottery, vintage artwork, and collected objects that feel gathered over years rather than placed in an afternoon.
Behind the fireplace surround, an organic patterned wallpaper adds texture and depth. Soft furnishings, woven lighting, a sheepskin accent, and a vintage Persian rug sit alongside it — nothing too precious, nothing too new.
The quote I kept coming back to while designing this room — and one I genuinely believe: no matter how bold the palette, the materiality always brings it home.
"No matter how bold the palette, the materiality always brings it home."
Vanshita
The Dining Room
The Dining Room — Custom Forest Mural, Fluted Oak Table and Architectural Ceiling Detail
The dining room is anchored by a custom forest mural in soft blue-grey tones, bringing depth, texture, and a quiet sense of calm to the space. A natural oak dining table with a fluted base is paired with sculptural boucle dining chairs, creating warmth and softness against the mural backdrop.
Architectural ceiling detailing with concealed lighting adds dimension throughout the room, while custom drapery and a contemporary globe pendant introduce balance, warmth, and a more intimate feeling for everyday dining and gathering.
The Florence Residence is proof that a renovation doesn't have to tear everything out to transform everything. If your home feels almost right but not quite — that's exactly where we start.
