Great Room Metamorphosis

The clients really enjoy cooking and this new kitchen includes their dream appliances and special storage features.

We have helped this family with several projects over the years. The first project was a large new deck in the back yard, which has transformed their outdoor living area.

The second project was a basement renovation, which started the process that led to their current renovation. At that time, we moved their laundry machines downstairs and created a laundry / bathroom off a new mudroom area. We also freshened up the finishes in the basement family room and bedroom.

This third project included a new pantry / kitchen / dining area with new wood flooring throughout the main level. We removed a structural wall and added a new wood-clad post and beam to open up the space. The clients really enjoy cooking and this new kitchen includes their dream appliances and special storage features. We removed an unused patio door in the dining room which compromised their privacy, and added a built-in buffet and a dining bench with storage underneath to maximize floor space and storage. The space was already very bright, so the loss of the door wasn’t an issue. New lighting provides layers of illumination to suit various uses and moods.

A possible fourth renovation was planned along with this great room re-design. That work will include improved lighting at the entry / living room / hall and the removal of the stippled ceiling finish. We pre-framed the space for a new shower in the ensuite bath as part of the third project’s pantry upgrade. Project 4 is also planned to include a new media center in the living room and new closet fittings throughout. Stay tuned for the next chapter in this home’s transformation!

 

Before & After

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It was a pleasure working with Marc and Lara from Ellenwood Homes. Lara had excellent ideas about how to maximize the existing spaces in my home. Her design made both the kitchen and bathroom much more functional and attractive. She has excellent taste and always provided several design options to choose from. Both Marc and Lara were respectful of my wishes and were willing to provide guidance and suggestions. Marc’s renovations were done on-time and within budget. He reviewed all the work with me and was prompt about addressing any concerns.
Susan M.
It was a pleasure working with Marc and Lara from Ellenwood Homes. Lara had excellent ideas about how to maximize the existing spaces in my home. Her design made both the kitchen and bathroom much more functional and attractive. She has excellent taste and always provided several design options to choose from. Both Marc and Lara were respectful of my wishes and were willing to provide guidance and suggestions. Marc’s renovations were done on-time and within budget. He reviewed all the work with me and was prompt about addressing any concerns.
Susan M.
Marc and Lara provided a top notch product and I would not hesitate to recommend them to anyone considering a minor or extensive renovation. Initially I was provided with a very detailed cost analysis and later, if costs differed, there was always a consultation. What also impressed me was when the tradespeople commented that Marc and Lara are some of the best and most professional people they've ever worked for. Any issues which came up after completion were promptly addressed by Marc and Lara. A great team, providing a great product!
Ruth B.
Marc and Lara provided a top notch product and I would not hesitate to recommend them to anyone considering a minor or extensive renovation.  Initially I was provided with a very detailed cost analysis and later, if costs differed, there was always a consultation.  What also impressed me was when the tradespeople commented that Marc and Lara are some of the best and most professional people they've ever worked for.  Any issues which came up after completion were promptly addressed by Marc and Lara.  A great team, providing a great product!
Ruth B.
"I asked Ellenwood Homes to change my kitchen / living area and turn it into an open concept situation. It looked like a fairly easy job but the walls that needed to come down were stuffed with plumbing, ducting and wiring for the whole house and no detailed drawings were available. Instead of starting a project without knowing if it would go way over my head, Marc conducted a very thorough investigation, suggested opening up part of the walls and he had the trades people who originally built the house come out to talk about what was there. I felt safe when we decided to go ahead with this. Lara is a wonderful designer, aware of tiny details and she came up with materials that I really liked. She seemed to understand exactly what I was looking for. These two people are a wonderful team, very professional and complementary to each other. And such pleasant personalities to work with. Budget and planning worked out fine, I love my new kitchen/living room and I would recommend Lara and Marc to anyone considering a renovation."
Birgit T.
"I asked Ellenwood Homes to change my kitchen / living area and turn it into an open concept situation. It looked like a fairly easy job but the walls that needed to come down were stuffed with plumbing, ducting and wiring for the whole house and no detailed drawings were available. Instead of starting a project without knowing if it would go way over my head, Marc conducted a very thorough investigation, suggested opening up part of the walls and he had the trades people who originally built the house come out to talk about what was there. I felt safe when we decided to go ahead with this. Lara is a wonderful designer, aware of tiny details and she came up with materials that I really liked. She seemed to understand exactly what I was looking for. These two people are a wonderful team, very professional and complementary to each other. And such pleasant personalities to work with. Budget and planning worked out fine, I love my new kitchen/living room and I would recommend Lara and Marc to anyone considering a renovation."
Birgit T.
Ellenwood Homes did renovations of approximately $120 ,000 for us, which included completely redoing the 3-bedroom main floor (including the kitchen and bathroom), structural changes in the basement (including the addition of a legal suite), and some exterior and garage work. We were extremely happy with the quality of the work, the process, and the pricing. When we were initially getting quotes, some contractors would tell us what we wanted was very complicated, but Marc Brillon told us it was do-able. We were very impressed by how he was able to handle any problems with ease. Ellenwood's pricing was very competitive. Throughout the project Marc was very conscious of costs and would provide options for more cost-effective solutions. Marc was also an excellent project manager - he handled the acquisition of materials and the management of subcontractors extremely well! In addition to doing excellent quality work cost-effectively, Marc was very helpful in accommodating our family's needs as we lived through the renovations. It was a real pleasure to have Ellenwood Homes do our renovations! Not only are we extremely happy, we are constantly getting compliments.
Shahir P.
Ellenwood Homes did renovations of approximately $120,000 for us, which included completely redoing the 3-bedroom main floor (including the kitchen and bathroom), structural changes in the basement (including the addition of a legal suite), and some exterior and garage work.  We were extremely happy with the quality of the work, the process, and the pricing.  When we were initially getting quotes, some contractors would tell us what we wanted was very complicated, but Marc Brillon told us it was do-able. We were very impressed by how he was able to handle any problems with ease.  Ellenwood's pricing was very competitive. Throughout the project Marc was very conscious of costs and would provide options for more cost-effective solutions.  Marc was also an excellent project manager - he handled the acquisition of materials and the management of subcontractors extremely well!  In addition to doing excellent quality work cost-effectively, Marc was very helpful in accommodating our family's needs as we lived through the renovations. It was a real pleasure to have Ellenwood Homes do our renovations! Not only are we extremely happy, we are constantly getting compliments.
Shahir P.
I have completed three high-end, successful and significant residential renovations with Lara Ellenwood during the past 11 years. Lara is a uniquely talented Interior Designer. She is a pleasure to work with - quiet, thoughtful, pleasant and sensitive. She is very well trained, professional and highly organized. I met her initially as a client of Ledingham Design, where she handled their interior design. She excels in design and in liaising with suppliers and trades whom she knows well and who hold her in very high regard. I understand why! She is more than willing to listen to her clients and their personal needs, and bend her choices in their direction. Additionally, she enriches their choices, adds new ideas, presents fine concept sketches, then detailed plans, and absolutely aces the colour palette after the required contemplation work. She then supervises the actualization process from beginning to end, has the best resources at her disposal, and brings together all the disparate elements together, successfully. Whoever you are, you are fortunate to be able to consider working with her.
Joyce C.
I have completed three high-end, successful and significant residential renovations with Lara Ellenwood during the past 11 years.  Lara is a uniquely talented Interior Designer. She is a pleasure to work with - quiet, thoughtful, pleasant and sensitive. She is very well trained, professional and highly organized. I met her initially as a client of Ledingham Design, where she handled their interior design. She excels in design and in liaising with suppliers and trades whom she knows well and who hold her in very high regard.  I understand why! She is more than willing to listen to her clients and their personal needs, and bend her choices in their direction. Additionally, she enriches their choices, adds new ideas, presents fine concept sketches, then detailed plans, and absolutely aces the colour palette after the required contemplation work. She then supervises the actualization process from beginning to end, has the best resources at her disposal, and brings together all the disparate elements together, successfully.  Whoever you are, you are fortunate to be able to consider working with her.
Joyce C.

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