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A Toronto Home Reborn: Crafting Cohesion with a Custom U-Shape Kitchen and Elegant Details

Embarking on a renovation journey is about more than just updating a room; it’s about reshaping how you live in your home. This project was more than just a kitchen update; it was a key part of a whole house renovation in a beautiful Toronto home, a complete transformation that would include flooring and tiles to create a seamless flow throughout. The heart of the home, a customize U shape kitchen with open shelves, was completely reimagined, while both bathrooms received stunning makeovers, each featuring a distinct and elegant arch shape mirror as a focal point. Completed in the early summer of 2024, this project stands as a testament to thoughtful design and expert craftsmanship.

Quick Facts

Project Category: Kitchen & Whole House Renovation
Location: Toronto, ON
Key Features: Custom U-shape kitchen cabinetry, integrated open shelving, quartz countertops, new engineered hardwood flooring, full bathroom renovations with arch mirrors, comprehensive tile work.
Duration: 4 weeks

Design Vision: A Unified and Functional Aesthetic

The primary goal for this Toronto residence was to move away from a dated, compartmentalized layout towards a bright, open, and cohesive living space. The clients, a family who loves to cook and entertain, needed a home that was both beautiful and highly functional.

The design vision was anchored by three core concepts:

The Culinary Hub: The kitchen was to be the undisputed star. A U-shape layout was chosen strategically to maximize counter space and storage in the available footprint, creating an efficient “work triangle” between the sink, refrigerator, and range. To prevent the U-shape from feeling closed-in, we integrated open shelves on one of the upper sections. This design choice breaks up the visual weight of solid cabinetry, providing a curated space for cookbooks, plants, and decorative items, adding a personal touch to the highly functional room.
Seamless Transitions: A common challenge in older Toronto homes is the disjointed feeling between rooms. To solve this, a single style of engineered hardwood flooring was selected to run through all main living areas and hallways. This continuity creates a visual path, making the entire floor feel larger and more unified. The tile work in the bathrooms and entryway was carefully chosen to complement the warm tones of the wood, ensuring a harmonious transition between materials.
Soft Modernism: While the overall aesthetic is clean and modern, the clients wanted to incorporate softer, more organic shapes to add warmth and character. This led to the selection of beautiful arch shape mirrors for both renovated bathrooms. These mirrors act as functional art, their gentle curves providing a beautiful contrast to the crisp, straight lines of the vanities and tilework.

Materials & Specifications: A Deep Dive into Quality and Compliance

A successful renovation is built on a foundation of high-quality materials and adherence to rigorous standards. This project was no exception, with every element chosen for its durability, beauty, and compliance with the Ontario Building Code (OBC).

Kitchen Details

Cabinetry: The custom U-shape kitchen features full-access, frameless cabinets constructed from high-density MDF. The doors are a classic Shaker profile, finished in a durable, factory-applied lacquer in “Benjamin Moore Cloud White” for a timeless look. The open shelving unit is crafted from solid white oak to match the flooring, adding warmth and a natural element. All doors and drawers are equipped with Blum soft-close hardware for silent, smooth operation.
Countertops & Backsplash: We selected a 3cm thick Caesarstone quartz in “Statuario Maximus” for the countertops. Its subtle, warm grey veining provides visual interest without overwhelming the space. Quartz is an ideal choice for a busy kitchen due to its non-porous, scratch-resistant, and low-maintenance properties. For the backsplash, a handcrafted 4x4-inch Zellige tile in a soft-white glaze was installed from the counter to the ceiling, adding texture and reflecting light beautifully.
Electrical & Plumbing: All electrical work was performed by a licensed electrician and inspected by the Electrical Safety Authority (ESA). This included dedicated 20-amp circuits for the refrigerator and dishwasher, and a dedicated circuit for the range, as mandated by the Ontario Electrical Safety Code (OESC). We installed GFCI-protected outlets within 1.5 meters of the sink. The lighting plan features recessed LED pot lights for ambient light, and under-cabinet LED strip lighting to illuminate work surfaces. New PEX supply lines and properly sloped ABS drain lines were installed for the sink and dishwasher, ensuring reliable performance for years to come.

Flooring & Tile

Main Flooring: Throughout the main floor, we installed 7.5-inch wide plank engineered White Oak hardwood. Its stable engineered core is ideal for handling Toronto’s seasonal humidity shifts, minimizing expansion and contraction. The light, natural finish brightens the entire home.
Bathroom Tile: In the bathrooms, large-format 24x24-inch porcelain tiles were used on the floors to create a spacious feel with minimal grout lines. The shower walls feature a complementary 4x12-inch ceramic tile in a vertical stack pattern, visually elongating the space.

Bathroom Fixtures

Waterproofing: The shower enclosures were built using the Schluter-KERDI waterproofing system. This includes a bonded waterproof membrane applied over the shower base and walls, creating a fully sealed, watertight assembly that is a gold standard for preventing leaks and mould growth in Ontario homes.
Vanities & Mirrors: Custom floating vanities were installed to enhance the sense of space. The true showstoppers are the oversized, minimalist-frame arch shape mirrors, which serve as elegant focal points above each vanity.

Process & Timeline: A Structured Approach to Transformation

While every custom whole house renovation has a unique timeline influenced by material lead times and inspection schedules, the project followed a meticulous, phased approach to ensure quality and efficiency.

Phase 1: Demolition and Abatement: The process began with the careful demolition of the old kitchen, bathrooms, and flooring. In a home of this age in Toronto, we conducted necessary checks for hazardous materials like asbestos before proceeding, ensuring the safety of both our crew and the homeowners.
Phase 2: Structural and Mechanical Rough-ins: With the space opened up, our teams reconfigured plumbing and electrical layouts to accommodate the new designs. This is a critical stage where all work is done to meet or exceed OBC and OESC standards before being concealed behind walls. All rough-ins were inspected and passed by municipal and ESA inspectors.
Phase 3: Drywall, Taping, and Priming: Once inspections were complete, new moisture-resistant drywall was installed in the bathrooms and kitchen. Our drywall specialists then applied multiple coats of compound and sanded to a smooth, Level 4 finish, creating a perfect canvas for paint.
Phase 4: Flooring and Tile Installation: The new engineered hardwood was laid, followed by the precise installation of all tile work in the bathrooms and entryway.
Phase 5: Cabinetry and Millwork Installation: The custom kitchen cabinets and bathroom vanities were delivered and expertly installed, bringing the vision to life. This was followed by laser templating for the quartz countertops.
Phase 6: Finishing Touches: After the countertops were installed, our teams moved on to painting, installing the backsplash, connecting plumbing fixtures, mounting light fixtures, and hanging the beautiful arch mirrors. Appliances were installed and commissioned.
Phase 7: Final Walkthrough: We concluded the project with a detailed walkthrough with the homeowners to ensure every single detail met their expectations, providing them with a home ready to be lived in and loved.

The Final Look: Cohesive, Bright, and Beautifully Functional

Stepping into the completed home is like a breath of fresh air. The continuous white oak flooring draws you through the space, creating an expansive and connected feel. The U-shape kitchen is a masterpiece of design efficiency—a bright, welcoming hub where every tool and ingredient is within easy reach. The open shelves, artfully styled by the homeowners, add personality and prevent the space from feeling utilitarian.

The bathrooms have been transformed into serene, spa-like retreats. The large-format floor tiles and light wall colours make them feel spacious, while the arch shape mirrors introduce a layer of sophisticated elegance. They are no longer just functional rooms but design statements in their own right. The entire home now feels cohesive, thoughtfully designed, and perfectly tailored to the family that lives there.

Design Takeaways

This whole house renovation offers several key insights for anyone planning a similar project in Toronto:

Embrace Continuity: Using a single flooring material across multiple rooms is one of the most effective ways to make your home feel larger and more cohesive.
Balance is Key: A highly functional layout like a U-shape kitchen can be softened and personalized. Don’t be afraid to mix closed storage with open shelving to balance practicality with personality.
Invest in Focal Points: Small, deliberate choices, like the arch shape mirrors, can have a huge impact on a room’s character without breaking the budget.
Prioritize the Foundation: The most important parts of your renovation are the ones you can’t see. Proper electrical, plumbing, and waterproofing work done to Ontario code standards are non-negotiable for a safe and durable home. If you’re looking for guidance on your own project, we can help you navigate these critical steps. Get in touch for a free quote to discuss your plans.

Maintenance Tips for Your New Space

To keep this renovation looking pristine for years to come, we provided the homeowners with these simple maintenance guidelines:

Quartz Countertops: Clean daily with a soft cloth, water, and a mild, pH-neutral soap. Avoid abrasive cleaners or scouring pads. Always use trivets for hot pots and pans.
Engineered Hardwood: Sweep or vacuum regularly. Clean with a microfiber mop and a cleaning solution specifically formulated for hardwood floors. Place felt pads under all furniture legs.
Cabinetry: Wipe down with a soft, damp cloth. For tougher spots, use a mild, non-abrasive detergent. Dry immediately to prevent moisture from damaging the finish.
Tile & Grout: Clean tile with a pH-neutral cleaner. To keep grout looking fresh in the bathrooms, consider sealing it annually to prevent staining and mould growth.

Frequently Asked Questions

What kind of permits are required for a whole house renovation in Toronto?

For a project of this scale in the City of Toronto, several permits are typically required. A Building Permit is necessary for any structural changes, such as removing walls. Separate Plumbing Permits are needed for altering drainage and water supply lines. Finally, all electrical work must be done under a permit from the Electrical Safety Authority (ESA), which conducts its own inspections to ensure everything is up to code. We handle the entire permitting process for our clients.

How does a U-shape kitchen work in a typical Toronto home layout?

A U-shape kitchen is incredibly efficient and can be a fantastic choice for many Toronto homes, especially those with a dedicated, squarish kitchen space. It provides the most counter space and storage for its footprint and creates a safe, contained work zone away from household traffic. In a more open-concept layout, one “leg” of the U can be turned into a peninsula with seating, seamlessly connecting it to the dining or living area.

Is custom cabinetry worth the investment over big-box store options?

Absolutely. While the initial cost is higher, custom cabinetry offers unparalleled advantages. It is built to the exact dimensions of your space, eliminating awkward gaps and maximizing every inch of storage. You have complete control over the material, finish, style, and internal organization. The quality of construction and hardware is typically far superior, meaning your kitchen will not only look better but will also last significantly longer.

What’s the best advice for choosing new flooring and tiles for an entire home?

The key is to think about both durability and design harmony. For flooring, choose a material that can withstand Toronto’s climate and your family’s lifestyle—engineered hardwood is a great choice for its stability and timeless appeal. When selecting tiles for bathrooms or entryways, look for options that complement the main flooring’s tone and texture. Bringing samples home to see them in your own light is a crucial step before making a final decision.

This renovation was a wonderful collaboration that resulted in a home that is not only more beautiful but fundamentally better to live in. If this story has inspired you to reimagine your own space, we would be delighted to help you explore the possibilities. Contact us for a free quote and let’s start planning your home’s next chapter.