EPISODE 6: THE LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL - RENOVATING MY TORONTO VICTORIAN HOME

Home renovations in Toronto - A Toronto Victorian Home - classical mouldings - plaster crown mouldings

Newly installed ornate plaster mouldings from Parsiena Design

RENOVATING MY TORONTO VICTORIAN HOME - EPISODE 6!

We are officially a month and a half into our finishes and I am already beginning to see the dream home I have been manifesting start to materialize. It’s one thing to dream and pin’ to Pinterest but now that it’s time to pull the trigger on the design elements I have been swooning over for the last year, my heart has begun to flutter with excitement watching it all come together.

Of course the finishes have come with their own set of challenges. Unlike everything that has happened up to this point, being ‘hands off’ means we’ve had to communicate very clearly and leave nothing to chance. There have been a few instances already where small assumptions have led to bigger mistakes and further work in order to correct immediately. Despite these obstacles, Adam and I continue to push our Toronto home renovation forward with bated breath, especially now that we are able to see the light at the end of the tunnel.

If this is your first time tuning into my new Toronto home renovation series and want to start from the beginning, check out Episode Episode 1: Sledgehammer Therapy and keep up with upcoming episodes by subscribing to my YouTube channel!

Since the last episode, a lot has happened at the house! Adam and I are happy to report that we passed our ‘pre-drywall’ inspection. I was so nervous for the inspection because I had to be on site by myself to answer any questions our inspector had. Thankfully I was able to calm my anxiety by keeping busy by cleaning the main floor and installing sound proofing insulation into the walls surrounding the middle bedroom on the 2nd floor.

toronto home renovations - soundproofing wall with sound batt insulation

Soundproofing the interior walls of our new second floor middle bedroom using batt sound proofing insulation

SOUNDPROOFING WALLS

Adam and I did a lot of research around soundproofing walls. Now that we had reconfigured the 2nd floor layout, adding in two new bedrooms and a bathroom, we thought it would be wise to soundproof the middle bedroom now if we hope to one day turn it into a nursery.

Although it is challenging to make a wall 100% soundproof there are a few things you can do to dampen the noise. The first thing we did was install sound proof insulation between the studs in the interior walls surrounding the middle bedroom. Given my recently acquired expertise in batt insulation (watch the last episode to find out what I mean) I was able to do this myself in just a few hours. After that, we had the drywall crew install SONOpan (soundproofing panels) prior to drywall as a way of adding an additional sound absorbing barrier between the rooms. This of course made the wall thicker, but it was a loss we were willing to accept in the name of comfort!

Home renovations in Toronto - A Toronto Victorian Home

We had to wrap the 2nd floor front window after we found a leak

WE FOUND A LEAK

Of course, nothing goes as planned when it comes to home renovations and the night before drywall was suppose to start we found a leak! There was a massive storm that night and Adam and I were at the house moving things out of the way for the drywall crew, when all of a sudden we spotted water drops coming from main floor ceiling at the the front of the house. Upon further investigation, we figured out that the leak was coming from our second floor windows and had to act quick. I ran to the basement and got a sheet of left over vapour barrier, which Adam and I used to wrap the front window and stop the leak. Thankfully our temporary solution worked and is holding up pretty well, but fixing the front windows is just one more thing to add to the list for spring.

Drywall went up pretty quick and obviously made a huge impact in making our Toronto Victorian home feel livable once again. Part way through, Adam and I did had to demo the existing stairs case and finish up the batt insulation along that wall, but other than that there wasn’t much work required for us to do at the house. Demoing the stairs did result in our basement turning into a bit of a sandbox though. Although we have no plans to start working on it now, we do plan to finish it after the work on the first and second floor is complete.

Home renovations in Toronto - A Toronto Victorian Home - ceiling medallion silicone mould replica

The first cast of the ceiling medallion Parsiana Design made from the silicone mould they created a month earlier

MY VISIT TO PARSIENA DESIGN

Since I didn’t physically have to be working at the house all day, I finally had time to turn my attention to the finishes! It had been a couple weeks since Parsiena Design had made a silicone mould of my ceiling medallion on-site, and although we had the good fortune of successfully removing the original medallion, Parsiena did make a replica using the mould and I was excited to see how it all turned out.

Located just outside Toronto in Vaughan, Parsiena Design’s production house was a feast for the eyes! Specializing in the manufacturing of architect elements, Parsiena is known as the place to go for custom fireplace mantels in Toronto. In addition to fireplace mantels, they also have a extensive catalogue of beautiful ornate plaster crown mouldings, stone range hoods, medallions, rosettes, friezes and trims. Not only can you see their work across the city of Toronto, but they have also done a lot of work internationally and in the US.

One of my favourite parts about my visit to their production studio was seeing their creative process in action! It’s not everyday an artist lets you peak behind the curtain, and I was thrilled to be invited into their workshop to see masters at work. During my visit they not only showed me the replica of my ceiling medallion, but also some beautiful stone fireplace mantels they had recently completed, I also got to see the crown moulding panels they had produced for me which were ready for install once the drywall was complete.

What do you think I should do with the replica of my ceiling medallion? Fell free to let me know in the comments below!

Home renovations in Toronto - A Toronto Victorian Home - classical mouldings - plaster crown mouldings

The plaster crown mouldings that were installed in my kitchen

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Home renovations in Toronto - A Toronto Victorian Home - finished drywall-3.jpg

The main floor after drywall is complete! So excited for my new kitchen to be installed!

INTERIOR ARCHWAY

By mid January, drywall was wrapping up and the house felt completely transformed. Now that we had walls you could really feel each room beginning to take shape.

One special request I had made prior to drywall was to make an archway where our future dining room bar will be. I was really happy with how it turned out and think it created a really interesting focal point within the room.

The kitchen area also had me giddy with excitement. With the new back door letting in all this natural light, the first floor looked better than ever.

The second floor was no exception. Our new bathroom was starting to materialize nicely as well as the two new bedrooms we had framed out in the last episode.

Even the fake vent exchange I had created had been drywalled, and Adam and I reached yet another high as we took in all our accomplishments.

INSTALLATION OF OUR NEW BESPOKE STAIRCASE

With drywall behind us we could finally turn our attention to our new custom staircase!

The first part of the instillation process took two days. However, since there is still a lot of messy work to do in the house we had the carpenters hold off on installing the balusters and railing, and instead had them cover it with a protected sheet.

It’s funny to look back now and think about how much Adam and I agonized over whether or not we should replace/widen the staircase. The original staircase was so skinny and in worse for wear condition with a noticeable dip. It is common for old Toronto Victorian houses like ours to have a skinny staircase but it made it really challenging to get furniture up and down the stairs. Now with the new staircase in and the opening made wider, it seems like a no brainier decision.

More to come on this topic in a future episode!!

REINTRODUCTION OF OUR BULLNOSE CORNERS

While the stairs were being installed, we also had someone come in to reintroduce the bullnose edge detail around the fireplace that was present in the original house. You can still see it in its original plaster form on the corbel in the entrance way, but in order to reintroduce it we actually had to finish the drywall corner using a bullnose corner bead first before adding an additional layer of 1/4 inch thick drywall on top. The results were remarkable and I am so happy with how it turned out! For me, it’s the small details like this that really give a house character!

Home renovations in Toronto - A Toronto Victorian Home - classical mouldings - plaster crown mouldings and corbel

An example of an original bullnose corner that once existed in various places throughout the house.

The bullnose corner detail that we reintroduced around the fireplace mantel using a bullnose edge and additional 1/4 inch drywall

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Home renovations in Toronto - A Toronto Victorian Home - classical mouldings - plaster crown mouldings - Parsiena Design

Installation of our new ornate plaster mouldings from Parsiena Design in our kitchen

INSTALLATION OF OUR CLASSICAL MOULDINGS

Of course, our house wouldn’t be complete without some new crown moulding from Parsiena Design. I could watch them be installed all day and never get bored. The large ornate plaster crown mouldings for the kitchen area were even more beautiful in their full format and took a master with over twenty years of experience to install. Each cut had to be made with such precision so that each corner lined up in perfect harmony and symmetry.

In the dining room and living room we went with a more understated, classic moulding design that echoed the egg and dart motif seen throughout the remaining plaster work in the house. I think the contrast in the size of the crown moulding works beautifully on the main floor because it actually makes the ceilings in the living room and dining room appear higher than the kitchen, when it fact they are slightly lower. I also love how much drama the big plaster crowns bring to the kitchen. I think if we had done them everywhere it would have been too garish and overdone so I’m really happy with my decision to just keep them in the kitchen area.

Home renovations in Toronto - A Toronto Victorian Home - classical mouldings - plaster crown mouldings and stained glass window

Halfway through our finishes! Can’t wait to see this room when it’s done!

To end off an incredibly productive week of finishes, Parsiena was also able to delivery the replicated cast and mould of my ceiling medallion and they were able to reinstall the original ceiling medallion, mending it back together piece by piece until it was hole once more. Since we had taken it down, I had some time to work on it in preparation for re-installation, and during this time I had actually discovered a whole extra layer of scalloping detail that was hidden under caulking and plaster. It was an incredible discovery which only adds to its unique character and beauty. I’m thrilled to have it back, not only in it’s rightful place but in all its grandeur.

DELIVERY OF OUR REFURBISHED CAST IRON RADIATORS

As the month came to a close, we also welcomed the delivery of our newly refurbished rads from Ironworks Radiators Inc. Although it is a little premature to install them, once the floors are done we should be close and I can’t wait to see them in their final position and glory!

More to come on this topic in the next episode! Hopefully!

UP NEXT!

Lots more exciting things to come in the next episode of our Toronto home renovation series including the installation of our beautiful herringbone floors from Chestnut Flooring, the tiling of new our master bathroom, and the installation of our custom kitchen from Domani Design Group!

Thank you so much for joining me today and for checking out my new Toronto home renovation series on Youtube. I am super excited to be modernizing a Victorian home while still keeping the charm of an old Victorian house. If you have any questions about my Victorian house renovations, what it’s like to live in Little Portugal, Toronto or recommendations for Toronto contractors, hit me up in the comments below!

Before I sign off, I’d also like to say a big thank you to Parsiena Design and Ironworks Radiator Inc. for partnering with me on this project. I’m so excited to be working with local industry experts on our Toronto home renovations but want to reiterate that, like always, all opinions remain my own.

Before I sign off, I’d also like to say a big thank you to Parsiena Design and Ironworks Radiator Inc for partnering with me on this project. I’m so excited to be working with local industry experts on our Toronto home renovations but want to reiterate that, like always, all opinions remain my own.

Until next time,

- Soheila

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10 KITCHEN TRENDS TO WATCH OUT FOR IN 2023!

2023 Kitchen Trends - Red Marble Island

Credit: Elizabeth Roberts Architecture

Can you believe it’s been over a year since I first started planning my Toronto Victorian home renovation? Now, 10 months into renovating, I’m only a few weeks away from the instillation of my new kitchein! I can practically reach out into the future and touch it! What recently sweetened-the-pot further for me though, has been seeing many of my design predictions from a year ago materialize in 2023.

There is no doubt that the kitchen is and will forever be the ‘heart of a home”, but when it comes to kitchen trends for 2023, what is leading the conversation is how we interact with it. If you are an introvert, this year’s trends around making your space feel warm and cozy will probably strike a cord with you. If you are an extrovert on the other hand, kitchen trends that focus on making the space better for entertaining and hosting will be music to your ears. Remember, it’s all about how you like to interact in and with the space.

2023 KITCHEN TRENDS

2023 Kitchen Trends - a 70s aesthetic with warm brown wood cabinetry and large island made of green marble

Designed by Simo Design

Organic Elements

Biophilic design is not a new concept, but it is one that has had a huge influence on kitchen trends in recent years. More and more, organic elements are making their way into kitchen design and you can see it in the movement towards the use of natural material like woods, glass, marble, plaster and pottery. Of course with this you will also see a counter movement away from the use of plastic and the once popular appeal of stainless steel. The use of plaster now also goes beyond crown mouldings with the rise in popularity of plaster light fixtures and range hoods. A need for natural light has people opting for big windows or Crittall doors that let the outside world in. Said to enhance a person’s creativity and general well-being, organic elements promote the notion of a balanced and environmentally conscious lifestyle through design.

2023 Kitchen Design Trends - Invisiable Kitchen with marble island from Blakes London

Credit - Blakes London

Smart Tech and Invisible Kitchens


Although people are no longer forced to stay home, it continues to be where the majority of their time is spent. Instead of focusing solely on comforts and cozy atmospheres though, there has been a shift to making the space work better for you. Whether that means an increased desire to entertain and host or simply living more efficiently, new smart technologies are allowing for all of that to happen. Appliances are getting smarter, quieter and even designed to be invisible. If you have a modern home or small kitchen, the need to have your space be as functional and practical as a conventional kitchen, yet discreet and minimal, probably resonates with you. Having an invisible kitchen not only allows you to use the space in more ways, but it’s also a great way to make a small space feel larger by blending one room into the next. This is often achieved by hiding appliances behind cabinetry faces and pocket doors, and keeping displayed objects to a minimum. Sensors on kitchen faucets are also allowing for touch-less uses, and you can now ‘order a coffee’ from your phone in one room only to moments later walk to your pantry to grab it. Further, island pop up plug outlets and sliding worktops allow for a more discrete application while allowing your island to double as home office desk. Fridges with cameras on the inside will have you ditching the need for grocery lists by allowing you to take stock of what you have at home even while on the go. This kitchen trend is only beginning to build momentum and my prediction is it’ll continue to do so for many years to come.

2023 Kitchen Trends - Natural Wood Cabinetry and dark red kitchen island

Image by @nicole_franzen @grtarchitects Styling @_ridgehouse.

Natural Wood Cabinets

What once went out of style now seems to be making a come back. Natural wood cabinets in rich, warm walnut, chestnut, and mahogany hues are gaining traction and I think it’s obvious the influence biophilic design has played in its resurgence. Unlike previous wood cabinet trends of maple and oak, natural wood cabinetry is favouring darker profiles that act as a grounding counterbalance to both light/white and saturated colour palettes. Additionally, natural wood finishes that play up grain lines can do wonders when trying to create a warm, rustic atmosphere and look great when paired with tiled floor or stone countertops. Yum!

2023 Kitchen design trends - kitchen by paul with chevron floors, marble round island, modern wood cabinetry

Designer: Kitchen By Paul

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Kitchen by lofy studios - marble counters, marble range hood, marble backsplash with floating shelves and crown moulding.jpg

Credit Lofy Studios

Statement Veins and Slab Backsplashes

The design world’s obsession with marble (and materials that can easily mimic the look of marble, like porcelain) will be going nowhere. In 2023, statement veins are only going to get more popular as designers and homeowners continue to favour large expressive slabs that carry beyond just countertops and islands. An obvious benefit to this approach is a clean look with less grout lines, however it does come at a higher cost. More and more, designers are leaning on statement veins to add character to a kitchen, many favouring Calacatta Viola or Calacutta Gold, however some bold tastemakers are using colourful varieties that to me are total ‘design eye candy’.

2023 Kitchen Trends - marble island and wood cabinetry with herringbone floors, coffe and wine bar by constanze ladner

Credit: Constanze Ladner

2023 Kitchen Trends - wine display and bar by Maree Homer

Wine display and bar by Maree Homer

Pantries and Wine Displays

If how we interact in our space is leading the conversation around kitchens then it should be of no surprise that the desire for more concealed storage or even well displayed storage, has found its way onto this list of 2023 kitchen trends. Luxury home builders are already starting to incorporate butler pantries with additional work spaces into new builds while hidden coffee bars and glass enclosed wine displays are becoming more common place in home renovations. Instead of hiding things away in your basement cellar, kitchen larders allow you to store things close by while also hiding small every day appliances. If you like to entertain and happen to have a large collection of wine, putting it on display is becoming even more fashionable. Wine and beverage fridges alike are becoming more prevalent in households that love to entertain, and I have to say, I’m totally here for it.

2023 Kitchen Trends - Modern Natural Warm Wood Cabinetry and pink curved kitchen island made of marble. Cheveron floors.

Designed by Maison Veronique Toubiana

Kitchen Island Revised

Given curved furniture was such a big trend last year, it’s no surprise that it has also made its way into kitchen design. While rectangular islands are still a popular silhouette, curved kitchen islands are becoming increasingly trendy. Moreover, since the pandemic, homeowners need the kitchen island to serve multiple purposes. Larger, even ‘double island’ kitchen designs are popping up everywhere which is great if you have the space. For those of us who don’t, wood slats or tambour wood panels are a popular application DIY-ers and designers alike are using to draw attention to the kitchen islands.

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2023 Kitchen design trends - statement lighting using LED floating chandelier

Image Source: Decorilla Designer, Mena H

Statement Lighting

One of my personal favourite kitchen trends for 2023 - lighting in the kitchen - should no longer be just functional! More unique and interesting lighting is a major theme this year with plaster lighting specifically stealing the lime light. It’s about adding character to the space and I’m already seeing less ‘pairs of pendent lighting’ and more ‘over-scaled chandeliers’, that span the room horizontally. Other natural materials like rattan, cane, wicker and rope will also continue to remain popular in the year to come as well as the practice of layering your lighting. Personally I think lighting is often overlooked when it comes to kitchen design and I believe a simple lighting update has the ability to breath new life into a space without having to redo the kitchen entirely. And it’s a lot cheaper too!

2023 Kitchen Trends - Stained Glass Cabinetry!

Photography by Adam Kane Macchia

Glass and Cane Cabinet Doors

From stained glass to plain glass, homeowners and designers alike are looking for ways to add a touch of elegance into their kitchen designs. If you are not into the floating shelf or ‘no upper cabinetry’ trends that have been going strong since 2020, then perhaps this is the news your have been waiting for. Glass, stained or otherwise, doesn’t always have to follow the traditional sense either. Modernize it. Make it your own. Into minimalism, keep it simple with just a black Crittall style frame or play with the flutted glass panels. Want something more traditional, add colour accents into your motif or throw in some bevelled glass to make it sparkle! Cane is also a fun cabinet design trends that I have noticed gaining popularity in the last year and based on what I’m seeing, it’s all so gorgeous!

2023 Kitchen Trends - Beautiful creamy kitchen with arched marble backsplast, statement lighting chandeliere and light cheveron floors

Credit: Petra Tungarden

Arches In The Kitchen

A trend that is still going strong in 2023, interior archways are a beautiful way to add character into a home. Their design in nature has a way of elevating a space with minimal effort by drawing your eye up towards the ceiling. Having one or two can also help create focal points in a space (as long as you don’t overdue them!). Prior to renovating my Romanesque Victorian home in Toronto there were no internal archways but since we have one at the front entrance, I thought it would be suitable to bring that design feature inside in some way. What I ended up doing was using it as the entrance way into my small walk up bar/wine display. I think it helps create a focal point for the bar and makes for an interesting design feature.

Credit: Nicole Franzen

Warm Neutrals

If you love white kitchens you may be happy to hear that they aren’t going out of style. Well not exactly…more so evolving. Expect to see the adaptation of warm neutrals like creamy whites and soft greys in 2023, as we try harder to compliment the many natural wood tones and organic elements the design world loves so much. If you are scared to play with colour and don’t like the bold, warm or moody kitchen aesthetic (they definitely aren’t for the faint of heart), warming up the paint colours may just be the little refresh you need to update your home.

A Few Honorable Mentions

Art In The Kitchen

Instead of using plates or copper pots and pans to add character to the kitchen, framed artwork has made its way onto floating shelves and walls in recent years. Although not a new kitchen trend for 2023, it’s still one that is going strong and I predict will stick around for awhile.

Plaster Ranges

Designers and homeowners alike seem to be sick of looking at stainless steel hood ranges and I do not blame them. In 2023, expect to see more people opting for plaster range hoods with vent inserts instead of the wall mounted stainless steel ones that at one point seemed to be everywhere.

No Upper Cabinets

Not a new trend but one that continues to be strong is the theme of having no upper cabinets. Of course, not always practical if you need more storage, but if you like the minimalist appeal and white-space you get back from not having cabinetry everywhere, then by all means, go for it! After all, it’s really about what works for you.

Although this blog post is all about kitchen trends for 2023, remember it’s always best to design your kitchen based on how you interact with it, and what works best for you! Thank you for joining me today and taking interest in this 2023 kitchen design trend report! If you have any questions or comments about Biophillic design, butler pantries, smart kitchens, statement lighting, wood kitchen cabinetry, arch doorways or decor trends made of organic elements like rattan and plaster, feel free to leave them in the comment section below!

Until next time,

-S

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HOW TO PAINT MELAMINE CABINETS - A SMALL BATHROOM MAKEOVER DIY

Home DIY Projects - Bathroom Makeover DIY

BATHROOM MAKEOVER DIY - PAINTING MELAMINE CABINETS

So I was at my mom’s house the other day and she asked if I could help her with her powder room. Essentially the powder room in her basement is so out of date it’s practically screaming for help. It has had the same melamine counter top and vanity since the house was built over 30 years ago. To make it worse, it also has a super gross drop-in sink and old acrylic faucet knobs that need to go!

In order to update this bathroom I decided to upgrade the counter top and faucet with something nice but keep the melamine vanity as is and just give it a fresh coat of paint.

For the counter top I went with white quarts with an under-mount sink already installed from a local fabricator. The counter top and sink cost me under $400. The faucet I got at Canadian Tire was simple and in chrome. It was on sale and was under $100 so I was really happy about that. I also got my paint brush, a small foam roller, a painter tray, and some painters tape while at Canadian Tire, which was another $30-ish.

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Can You Paint Melamine?

When it comes to the melamine vanity, I had plans to paint it. Painting melamine cabinets is actually super easy it just takes awhile because you have to let the paint dry in between coats. Before you paint any melamine surfaces it is important to roughen up the surface before applying a primer though so that the colour paint adheres properly to the melamine.

Bathroom Vanity Makeover - Before Photos

When you are starting a project like this the first thing to do is prep your space. I like to put some cardboard down to protect the floor and remove any hardware. In this case both the hinges and doors needed to be removed. I tried to remove the fake drawers as well but the sink was in the way and I was unable to get in there to remove the screws, so I just left them attached.

MELAMINE CABINET MAKEOVER

Home DIY Projects - Bathroom Makeover DIY - Painting cabinets

Next I sanded the melamine vanity down using 120 grit sandpaper and my sanding mouse.

NOTE: You want to roughen up the surface so that the primer paint adheres well to it but you don’t want to over sand it to the point you start to dull corners or ruin the surface.

In places that I couldn’t get into with my sanding mouse I went in by hand with some sanding paper.

After you are done sanding take a damp cloth and wipe the whole vanity down.

While the vanity dries, repeat those three steps with the doors making sure to sand down and wipe the sides of the vanity doors.

PAINTING CABINETS

Once everything is dry you can start painting the melamine cabinets with your first coat of primer. I like to paint one side and 3 of the 4 edges of each door first then let it dry for 12 hours before returning and doing the opposite side and final edge.

I used a small foam roller on the doors and a mix of roller and brush on the vanity.

I purchased 1 quart of Benjamin Moore Stix® Waterborne Bonding Primer for this project and it was more than enough.

After both sides have been primed and given time to dry, I then did two coats of Benjamin Moore ADVANCE Interior Paint- Semi Gloss in ‘October Mist’ which is this beautiful sage green colour that is so popular right now and one of my favourites.

Home DIY Projects - Bathroom Makeover DIY - painting a vanity

I used the Benjamin Moore colour ‘October Mist’ for this bathroom vanity makover

As for the doors I used the same technique of painting one side and 3 of the 4 edges before leaving that to dry for 12 hours and returning to do the other side and last edge.

Once you get two colour coats on both the vanity and doors, and everything has fully dried, you can go ahead and reinstall your doors.

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After I finished painting the vanity, the new quarts countertop with an undermount sink went in along with my new faucet from Canadian Tire and voila, my bathroom makeover is complete!

Home DIY Projects - Bathroom Makeover DIY - painting melamine

My Small Bathroom Makeover DIY After Painting Melamine Cabinets

Thank you for joining me today as I shared this bathroom vanity makeover with you. I hope enjoyed this bathroom makeover DIY and found painting melamine cabinets to be easy too. If you have any questions about this bathroom makeover on a budget or have any questions regarding home DIY projects or painting a vanity, feel free to leave them in the comment section below!

Until next time!

-S

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8 INTERIOR DESIGN TRENDS TO WATCH OUT FOR IN 2022!

8 INTERIOR DESIGN TRENDS TO WATCH OUT FOR IN 2022

Image by Ksenia Chernaya

INTERIOR AND HOME DECOR
TRENDS FOR 2022

It has been a long winter and many fresh trends have materialized since my last interior design report. I too have not laid idle and have finally started renovations on my Toronto Victorian home! It seems like dreams and plans are finally colliding and as I continue to collect design inspiration I’ve noticed a few new approaches bubbling up to the surface. Some feel like the natural progression of previous trends while others feel seductively fresh and appealing. One thing is for sure, they all seem to favour bold accents and colours over the previously beloved monochrome aesthetics. We are approaching a time of careful curation and intentional living. Although people are no longer forced to stay home, it continues to be where the majority of their time is spent. Instead of focusing solely on comforts and cozy atmospheres though, there has been a shift as the desire to entertain and welcome guest takes center stage. For that reason, I thought now is the perfect time to share 8 interior design trends for 2022.

BIOPHILIC ARCHITECTURE & DESIGN

Interior Design Trends 2022 - biophilic architecture and design

Biophilic Design by Joe Mortell

Biophilic Design is the concept of creating a stronger connection to nature while in our home environment. Just because you’re continuing to spend the majority of your time at home doesn’t mean you want to seclude yourself from the outdoors completely. Opening the windows to allow fresh air and natural light in may be the easiest way to remove a rooms stagnant energy, but Biophilic interior design encourages you to take things one creative step further. Use natural materials like timber, concrete and stone to help you imitate elements you would see outdoors or incorporate indoor plants, fresh cut flowers, and foliage for a more obvious approach. Research has also shown that images depicting nature can be effective in producing a calming atmosphere to reduce stress, improve cognitive function and spur creativity while also improving our overall well being and hastening healing. That’s pretty remarkable, if you ask me! Where once using dried flowers like pampers grass used to be a popular decor trend, now it is all about fresh, vibrant, living greens. Additionally, the idea of creating a conservatory at home seems to be ever more appealing as we continue to embrace Biophilic architecture and crave connections to the outdoors.

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THE SLOW BUILD

When it comes to intentional living and careful curation, the slow build plays into peoples' desires to do away with ‘fast furniture’ and pursue more sustainable practices. Artisanal, vintage and one of a kind pieces invite the fascination of your guest and welcome conversation around the stories behind them. They also make your space fell uniquely you! Make time to visit second hand stores and go antiquing when you can. Look for investment pieces that could elevate your collection and consider decluttering to make room for them when you finally do make a purchase. Minimalism is still very much trending so don’t think you need to overwhelm your space with expensive stuff for it to be beautiful. In fact, a few carefully curated items is really all you need.

REIGNITED FASCINATION WITH THE 70S AESTHETIC

Interior Design Trends 2022 - 70s Aesthetic

A livingroom inspired by 70s Interior Design

There is no denying that in the past few years cane and rattan decor has seen a major comeback. Perhaps it is because of our fascination with a ’70’s aesthetic’ has been reignited. Where once unique shapes, bold prints, colours, textures and futuristic design were used to express excitement, push boundaries, and create amazing spaces to host parties, today’s mindset echos that. It’s why we love velvet furniture, animal print rugs, and macrame, and why you might be gravitating towards a curved sofa, brightly coloured small appliances or an egg rattan chair. I’m not saying go ahead and install wall to wall shag carpets, but don’t be afraid to play on the psychedelic inspiration of the 70’s aesthetic through the use of bold cushions, prints and cheery colours.

STATEMENT WALLS

Interior design trends 2022 - Statement walls and grandmillennial wallpaper

Hand Painted de Gournay Wallpaper

Grandmillennial interiors may not be for everyone but statement walls are still a great way to adds drama to a room or even a whimsical feeling. I’ve seen lots of wallpaper with beautiful, intricate motifs popping up in magazines and my Pinterest feed but none have caught my attention more than de Gournay, a French hand painted wallpaper company who’s designs are simply remarkable. Statement walls are not only being achieved through the use of wallpaper though. Metallic panels are another quick way to draw and hold someone’s attention. The door is left open with this trend and it’s up to you to get creative with how you want to incorporate it into your space.

DULUX COLOUR PAINT TRENDS FOR 2022

Dulux colour paint experts identified three colour stories they predict will resonate for homeowners and professional painters in 2022. Born from the overarching theme ‘Horizon’, Dulux says these palettes, “represents our current state of hope, reflection and new beginning.”

ARCHWAY DOORS, CURVED SOFA, EGG SHAPES, CURVES STEAL THE SPOTLIGHT

Home Design Trends 2022 - arch design - cathedral archway

Cathedral archways add a beautiful structural element to this livingroom by Sonja Jonss

Curves of all kinds seem to be gaining popularity in recent months as structural style furniture like curved sofas, hanging egg chairs, elliptical tables, and even arched mirrors continue to hold our attention. Perhaps it’s our need to be fluid and adaptive to our ever changing environment that has caused our love for curves to now transcend beyond just decor to structural elements within a home like archways, pantry doors, built in bookshelves and windows. Just because curves are in, doesn’t mean straight lines are out. There is definitely enough room in my house for both of them to coexist, ha! I just think curves of all kinds are having a ‘moment’ and I’m here for it.

ATTENTION GRABBING BOLD STRIPES

Palm Beach style from Jennifer Ash Rudick’s new book - morning room of La Follia

There is something so timeless and elegant about bold stripes that it is no surprise that they are coming back in a big way. A great way to catch peoples attention, incorporating striped rugs, cushions, throws or even wallpaper can give your space a very eye pleasing, contemporary and timeless look. It is also an easy and effective way to give a tired room a full reset. I’ve already seen many home decor design stores running with this trend so it shouldn’t be hard to incorporate either! Just remember, when it comes to the size of the stripe, stick to big thick, bold stripes!

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ELABORATE, ELEGANT TABLESCAPES!

2022 home decore trends - elegant tablescapes

An elegant tablescape captured by Paula O’Hara via Green Wedding Shoes

Elegant tablescape go hand in hand with entertaining which is why elaborate arrangements with linen napkins, candles and flowers are going to be all the range. People don’t just want to welcome people into their homes again, they want to dazzle guest and set the stage to an unforgettable evening. A little more effort and care will be put into presentation because distance from our friends and family only made the heart grow fonder. If you need inspiration for your next dinner party, here are some tablescapes I’m currently swooning over.

RASPBERRY CABINETRY

Raspberry Kitchen Cabinetry by Cochineal Design

Earlier on in the year I stumbled across my first raspberry kitchen and instantly fell in love, sharing it on my Instagram stories! Since then raspberry cabinetry has been popping up everywhere which makes me feel even more invested! Research shows that the colour of a room can impact our moods and reds are said to ignite your appetite. How fitting it is then that we find the sex appeal and moodiness of raspberry cabinetry alluring! Furthermore it goes well with all wood tones and earthy browns often found in home decor. Moody kitchens aren’t for the faint of heart through. You may not want to commit to a whole kitchen in raspberry cabinetry but that doesn’t mean it can’t also find its place in a powder room or pantry! I myself don’t know if I’ll be partaking in this trend but that doesn’t meant I’m not excited to watch where the trend goes.

Thank you for joining me today and taking interest in the 8 interior design trends I have uncovered for 2022! If you have any questions or comments about biophillic design, the 70’s aesthetic, archway doors and designs, or decor trends like rattan decor and curved sectional sofa, feel free to leave them in the comment section below!

Until next time,

-S

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2022 Interior Design Trends
2022 interior design trends

SPILLING TEA: ALL MY JUICY RENO PLANS & INSPO!

My Romanesque style Toronto Victorian home

It’s been almost six months since we moved into our Toronto Victorian Home and yet waking up and walking from one room to the next still feels so unreal sometimes. The spark we first felt when we initially toured the house is still very much alive and it all just goes to show that our crazy first time home buyer experience was worth the struggles. In the end, we found a beautiful house in a great neighborhood that we have been loving learning more about and exploring.

OUR CREEPY HIDDEN STAIRCASE

Being over 125 years old, our Romanesque style Victorian home does come with its fair share of quirks. For one, we discovered a creepy hidden staircase in a wall while planning out our main floor renovations! We suspect it was closed off to hide plumbing to the second floor bathroom and make room for a new staircase to the basement, but given it features the same high baseboards you see in other parts of the house, the staircase was likely part of the original house.

Additionally, when we bought the house we noticed that the floors sagged. This is a common characteristic of old houses usually equated to their age, but upon further inspection by our structural engineer, we began to suspect that load bearing walls in the basement had been removed by a previous owner at some point. Thankfully the foundation of the building is sound and our renovation plans will address this issue.

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One thing I am 1000% doing is preserving the historical charm of the house as much as possible. Both the entrance way and drawing room feature high baseboards and crown molding centered around exquisite Victorian ceiling medallions. I also love the original ornamental molding that can be found throughout the first floor that embellishes the doorways including the main entrance. Unfortunately, a lot of these decorative molding features have been removed from the second floor, so one thing I’m definitely including on my ‘to do’ list is custom mill work to incorporate it back in.

Speaking of ‘to do list’, the reason why I am sharing today’s post is not only to expand on my pre reno tour, kitchen appliance tips, and share interior design inspiration for my upcoming renovations but it’s also to introduce a new Youtube series I’m going to be filming, documenting our renovation journey! I feel like this house and first floor renovation is going to be an amazing opportunity to share about my love for design and create entertaining content to excite you. There no doubt will be challenges but it’s in those challenges that great stories are made so I hope you will join me on this journey.

Of course, by way of this blog post I also wanted to give you a sneak peak into all the beautiful inspiration I’ve been collecting, what we are planning, and why we called in a structural engineer to help us. SPOILER: it goes beyond sagging floors!

RENOVATING A VICTORIAN HOME

Given our budget after buying the house and the fact that it is currently split into two units, Adam and I decided the best way to approach our top to bottom renovation is to split each floor into phases. This way, we can continue to live in the house during the renovations while still having a working kitchen on the second floor.

As you have probably guessed by now, phase one of this project is going to include a complete first floor renovation. Structural changes to support this, including widening the staircases on both the main and lower floor, will also be taking place as well as reintroducing an entrance way from the front hallway into the drawing room and removing unoriginal walls to create an open concept layout towards the back of the house where you will find a new kitchen, powder room, and bar. The sun-room at the back of the house will eventually be demolished so as to reclaim more of the backyard and a larger door opening will be created to replace it allowing for maximum natural light.

I will be elaborating further about these design choices throughout this blog post as well as providing inspirational images to help you visualize what we are planning. So without further ado, let’s start with diving into each element our renovation plan starting with structural changes.

STRUCTURAL CHANGES

I knew prior to starting our first time home buying journey that I loved Victorian homes so while on our quest we visited many renovated Toronto Victorian homes. A common repeated feature we noticed was an open concept layout on the first floor which, when paired with high ceilings, not only made the house look bigger but grander! Since original walls only seem to exist at the front of our house, Adam and I had no hesitations when deciding to alter the main floor layout by removing walls to make room for a larger kitchen and overall entertaining space. We learned that making these layout changes would require additional steel beams to provide stability and prevent structural issues that could arise later in the other phases of our renovations.

Additionally, since we wanted to demolish the sunroom and reclaim more backyard space we saw this as an opportunity to install a larger opening for a new doorway leading to the backyard. Doing this would require a steal frame to be installed to support the brick wall at the back of the house.

Pre Reno Kitchen and Sun Room - Photo Cred Raffi Tutundijan @jaggedlens

CRITTALL STYLE DOORS

Originally, Adam and I were thinking of doing a large steel Crittall style doors as the back entrance door, however after pricing it out and seeing what the lead times would be to have one made big enough for the opening (it would have to be custom made) we got cold feet.

Living in a cold climate, steel Crittall doors aren’t known for being the most energy efficient door systems since they aren’t great at preventing heat from escaping or blocking the cold from coming in. The Toronto Building Code does have a minimum thermal break requirement for all external doors which is why aluminum doors or fiberglass doors are more common (they offer superior energy efficiency when compared to steel) as well as cheaper. Alas, we are still undecided which way we will go but here’s some inspiration of what we are thinking.

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Further, it wasn’t until we moved in and tried to get furniture to the second floor and basement that we realized how narrow our staircases are! When it comes to staircases, Toronto’s current building code requires staircases in new builds to be a minimum of 36 inch wide. Historically, staircases were never this wide and although our staircase is not original, the opening was never widened by a previous owner. Our staircase comes in at 27 inches making it extremely hard to fit assembled furniture upstairs. For the longest time Adam and I wracked out heads trying to figure out how the previous owners managed to get the kitchen appliances up to the second floor. It wasn’t until we finally measured the width of the doorway to the small front balcony off our master bedroom that we figured out they must have removed the door temporarily and craned them in through the small balcony! Crazy right!? One of the biggest and possibly most pivotal decisions we had to make when putting together our renovation plans was figuring out whether we were going to address our narrow stair issue, how it would impact the structure of the home, and how much widening and replacing both staircases would be.

WOOD STAIRCASE DESIGNS

After finally deciding to move forward with widening the staircases, Adam and I debated whether to go more modern or keep it classic with the new stairs. We both love the look of floating stairs but given how much traditional character the house has, we ended up going for a more traditional design. But I’m sure we will add a modern twist somehow.

Lastly, structural issues in the basement that caused the floors on the main level to sag needed to be addressed before we can lay down a new subfloor and install new floors. To do this it seems that a few new beams will have to go in on the lower level - especially at the front of the house - to ensure the new floors won’t buckle a few years down the road. Installing these new beams will be also help us address the issues on unsupported over-spanned joists that we believe were caused by the removal of a load bearing wall in the basement by a previous owner.

Speaking of floors, I’ve been obsessed with mosaic and herringbone floors for years! Prior to buying a house, I told Adam that I hope whatever we ended up with needed new floors so I would have an built in excuse. During our viewings we saw a few Toronto Victorian's with mosaic and inlaid floors that only continued to fuel my obsession.


CURRENT FLOORING

Currently, the main floor has three different types of flooring going on, one of which does look original. However, it’s only a small section at the back and they aren’t in the greatest shape. If there was more of it and it was in better shape I may reconsider redoing the floors, but in our case this is one ‘out with the old in with the new’ sacrifice I’m willing to make. Traditionally herringbone floors were made of oak and these days you can get them in engineered oak in many different sizes and colours. Narrowing it down to a size was exceptionally hard given the size of the space. Too large and you don’t notice them, but too small and it’s all you notice. It needs to be balanced! In the end we went with a 90 mm natural oak herringbone colour which I am so excited about. It’s going to add warmth back into the space and match beautifully with what we have planned for the kitchen. I can’t wait!

HERRINGBONE FLOOR INSPO

I’ve shared a little bit about the kitchen appliances we ordered a few months back but when it comes to designing my dream kitchen you can bet it won’t be all white! In order to ensure flawless execution for this part of the project, I brought in the big guns, Domani Design Group. Not only does Domani distribute luxury European brands like Pedini but they also specialize in custom cabinetry for both kitchens and bathrooms as well as custom millwork! Just what I needed!

To us, the kitchen is truly the heart of the house and both Adam and I love to cook and entertain. With 10 foot ceilings and an open concept layout, I wanted the kitchen to feel airy but still anchoring, warm and full of natural light. Currently we have two big beautiful windows in our hallway that we plan to position the island between. For cabinetry we are keeping it simple, timeless, and classic but modern with a shaker style kitchen in a dark French navy to match our La Cornue range in the same colour with brass accents. The La Cornue range is going to be the centrepiece so I wanted cabinetry to compliment it, but not compete.

SHAKER STYLE KITCHEN INSPO

A warm porcelain countertop in a Calacatta with brown-gold warms up the space and plays on the natural oak herringbone floors. Floating shelves in a cool natural wood surround a simple and understated range hood which extends all the way to the ceiling to accentuate the height of the room. Bar seating will surround the kitchen island sink. I have even gone so far as to start to think how I will organize the kitchen and have submitted special millwork request to Oscar at Domani including a pull out spice rack and cabinet pull out drawers for my small appliances! I’m so excited!


KITCHEN STORAGE & ORGANIZATION IDEAS

I obviously don’t expect this renovation to go smoothly. I’m actually banking that it’s not so that I have some great stories to come back and share, but I am super excited for all that is to come. I’m also super excited to document and create my Youtube series around it so you guys can get a sense of the process too! If you aren’t following me already make sure to subscribe to my YouTube channel and follow me on Instagram for updates on this phase 1 renovation and more design projects I have in mind!

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renovting my toronto victorian home
renovting my toronto victorian home - romanesque victorian
renovating my Toronto victorian home