A HOME TRANSFORMED
Owners update ’60s bungalow
Home purchases are often based on current needs — family size, storage needs, function and flow. But over the years, our needs change: Children grow up and move out, certain tasks become more difficult as we age, and the aspects that made the home so perfect decades before become impractical.
For the owners of a traditional 1960s bungalow nestled between Mooney’s Bay and Airport Parkway, their needs had certainly changed. They had embraced the lovely Cromwell Drive home for two decades before noting that certain areas were no longer functioning as they should. Spaces like the kitchen and basement-level laundry needed a serious rework if they were going to fulfil the homeowners’ current needs.
“We’d thought of selling and moving, but the more we scrutinized homes for sale in and around the Ottawa area, the more we realized we really liked where we were: The location, our neighbours, lot size and privacy,” said the homeowners.
“That’s when we decided we’d put our money into doing a major renovation instead of looking for a new place.”
After completing their due diligence, they chose Amsted Design Build to help make their dreams a reality. The couple categorized their ideas as needs, wants and wishes, which proved to be an excellent way of framing and prioritizing expectations. It also helped determine scope and budget.
The homeowners had three main design needs: They wanted an open-concept floor plan, better functionality at the entrance and considerations for aging in place. The renovation company listened to the homeowners’ requests and, together, they mapped out and redefined their living space.
“Amsted proved to be very accommodating — they listened to all our concerns and helped iron out any apprehensions we may have had,” said the homeowners.
The original entryway and main floor area were very dark. There were a lot of walls that didn’t serve a purpose, which made the space feel small and unwelcoming. It also wasn’t optimized for storage, so clutter built up quickly. The kitchen was much the same: A lack of practical storage solutions created a buildup of items across countertops, which made it feel unusable.
Amsted crafted an entrance addition to create a landing zone, complete with bench, space for drying winter outerwear, and a table for charging electronics. The renovator removed the central wall to open up the entire main floor and made the centrally-located open staircase a focal point in the room. Opposite, a half-wall incorporates counter space and allows additional seating for company. A built-in buffet provides plenty of storage and display space without taking square-footage away from other areas.
Downstairs, the basement features new guest suite amenities with a bedroom, bathroom, kitchenette and family room for when their grown-up children visit with their families.
The homeowners also decided to include a small rear addition. This allowed for the main-level laundry room to include a stacked washer/ dryer for easy access, hanging bar for air-drying and copious storage space.
The addition also allowed for an enhanced bathroom. The previously narrow room was transformed into a large, spa-like space with a new custom vanity and glass shower to maintain openness and visual appeal.
It’s been a few years since their home has been transformed into a dramatic open concept space, and the homeowners couldn’t be happier. The attention to detail and quality inspired confidence in their decision, and the result is a home that will be loved for decades to come.
“What sets Amsted apart for us has been the quality and professionalism of the people who made up their team,” said the homeowners.
“Each and every person who worked on our site really gave it their all — they knew just what had to be done and did their jobs expertly.”