Home displays treasures from family travels

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MAKEOVER MONTH. This is the third in a four-part series featuring home renovations.

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For designer Cynthia Soda of Soda Pop Design, seeing a family of four sitting at the kitchen banquette in their newly-renovated home gave her “an overwhelming sense of joy.”

The project involved updating a 2,500-square-foot single-family home in a suburb east of Toronto that had been constructed in the early 1980s and renovated in 2022. But after purchasing the house, the young family quickly discovered its ‘custom upgrades’ fell short and enlisted Soda to create the home of their dreams.

“They were looking for their newly-designed home to feel bright, comfortable for them to actually live in all areas, display treasures from their travels, do puzzles, cook together, entertain and raise their family,” Soda says. A favourite plate from their travels inspired the home’s new colour palette and wood tones.

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The renovation encompassed the entire main level – the front entrance, living and family rooms, kitchen, breakfast area, powder room and den – and spread to the basement. When construction was nearing completion, the previously-renovated bathrooms on the second level began to experience problems, with one leaking into the new family room, and were added to the to-do list.

The original kitchen was separated from the new den by a structural wall that was removed to allow more light into the space. “As with every renovation, once the walls were opened up, we were able to get the full extent of the efforts involved in removing the walls and had some HVAC details that we had to work around in order to keep on track with the design,” Soda says.

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“In the end, nothing on the design side had to be sacrificed entirely to make the ideas work. We just ended up with an opportunity to get a little extra creative with our bulkheads, most of which are hidden in the upper cabinets while still allowing plenty of storage space.”

Soda is especially proud of the new layout of the kitchen, which features a breakfast nook with extra storage in the banquette. “The new L-shape layout of the kitchen with island redirected the focus to the view of their backyard and provided plenty of storage and space for guests to mill around without getting into the flow of the work zone,” she says.

Soda is also proud of the ceiling beams and archway between the living and family room. “With long rectangular spaces, it can be difficult to divide the entire room into zones without them feeling separated from each other,” she says. “The beams in the living area extended that zone further than the entrance into the space would allow and afforded us an opportunity for a levelled-up lounge space with wood elements that tie back into the column details.”

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Working with an interior designer can open the door to innovative solutions and a more polished final result, Soda notes. “The thing we hear most from our clients is that they never could have imagined it would look the way it does and could not have done it on their own,” she says.

“We also get told how sometimes small, thoughtful details uncover themselves as they use their space. There is a lot of information available to homeowners online and it’s easy to get caught up in details that may or may not be suitable for your goals for your home and family.”

Designer tips

Thinking about a large renovation project? “Hiring an interior designer can be a transformative decision that elevates the entire process,” says Cynthia Soda of Soda Pop Design. She shares these tips:

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• Engage an interior designer at the outset. “Early collaboration allows for seamless integration of aesthetic elements with architectural plans, ensuring that design choices are cohesive and well thought out from the beginning.”
• Define your vision. “Before meeting with a designer, take time to reflect on your style preferences, needs and functional requirements. Gather inspiration from magazines, online platforms or previous projects…Any little bit of communication helps convey your vision clearly to the designer, enabling them to tailor their approach to your unique tastes and lifestyle.”
• Set a realistic budget. “A skilled interior designer can help you allocate resources wisely, finding a balance between splurge-worthy items and cost-saving alternatives without compromising on the overall quality and aesthetic of the renovation.”
• Plan for the unexpected. “Renovations often come with surprises. An experienced interior designer can help navigate these challenges smoothly – often during site visits with your contractor – adapting plans and finding creative solutions that maintain the integrity of the design vision.”
• Focus on functionality. “A good designer will prioritize layouts and furnishings that enhance the usability of your home, ensuring that it not only looks stunning but also supports your daily routines and activities.”
• Consider incorporating sustainable practices and materials into your renovation. “An interior designer can guide you towards eco-friendly choices that are both stylish and environmentally responsible, contributing to a healthier home and planet.”

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