Some projects are more than just renovations — they’re personal.

This home was one of them. My clients came to me through a local contractor referral, ready to breathe new life into a house that had served them well but no longer fit their lifestyle. 

What none of us knew at first was that this wasn’t just any home — it was one that my dad had built 20 years earlier. The chance to redesign and renovate one of his homes! Now that was something really special.

What Wasn’t Working

Like many growing families, the clients had reached that point where the house just couldn’t keep up. The kitchen felt tight. The guest room doubled as an office, but didn’t work well as either. The living space felt cramped for both kids and parents, and the master ensuite and closet were long overdue for a refresh. The exterior also lacked definition and storage. The house had good bones in a great neighbourhood… but it needed work.

The Vision

Their wishlist included:

• A functional kitchen that could host and feed a crowd

• More space in the living room (without eating into the backyard)

• A defined entryway with proper storage

• A true office, a better mudroom, and a master suite that felt like a retreat

• Oh, and a little more fun and character for the girls… just wait for the surprise

We kept the traditional farmhouse style in the front, extending the entryway for a proper landing, storage, and a new covered porch framed with a gable roof. On the back? A bold, modern flat-roof addition that opened up the kitchen and living room with vaulted ceilings and large windows, letting light pour in from all sides.

Before & After: The Front Exterior

The original front of the home lacked presence, entry storage, and architectural interest.

A reimagined entry, new gable roof, and larger windows give the home a welcoming presence and proper storage inside.

We kept the traditional farmhouse charm but reworked the proportions to create a sense of balance and welcome. The front entry was extended for a proper landing with storage, and a new gable roof now frames the doorway. Larger windows bring in more light, a larger porch to actually get used, and that huge roof? Broken up with minimal changes to the lower roof and a big change with a new gable roof over the garage.

There’s also a little secret about above the garage, but we’ll get to that.

Before & After: The Back Exterior

The siding was crumbing because of the southerly exposed wall faces and minimal overhangs. 

Vaulted roofline, large covered deck with skylights, and wraparound stairs make the backyard just as functional as the inside.

The rear of the home tells a different story — one that’s a lot more modern.

We added two tiered flat-roofs, vaulting the addition over the new kitchen and living room. A 12 foot sliding door leads out to the yard and a single french door to the large covered deck with two oversized skylights (4’x8’).

The Transformation Inside

We reworked almost every corner of this home:

• The original kitchen? It’s now a dedicated office.

• The new kitchen and living space sit in the back addition — open, vaulted, and centered around a stone fireplace.

• The dining and family rooms are now divided by oversized French doors, perfect for when kids and parents need separate spaces.

• The mudroom finally works: lockers, laundry, counters, storage. Everything has its place.

Kitchen Before

Kitchen After

The kitchen moved, vaulted ceilings added, and the space completely transformed.

Dining Room Before

View from the Living Room

Dining Room After

Living Room After

And upstairs? The walk-in closet and ensuite got the upgrade they deserved: double sinks, separate tub and shower, and a new flow that actually makes sense.

But the part I’ll always love most?

What started as a curb appeal detail turned into something far more fun: a hidden room above the garage, secretly connected to both kids’ bedrooms. It’s one of those details that made this house more than beautiful — it made it unforgettable.

Ensuite After

A Full-Circle Moment

After the work was done, one of the builders casually said, “This is one of the best homes we’ve ever renovated. The previous builder did a great job.”

I smiled and said, “Thanks, that was my dad.”

There’s something really special about breathing new life into a home built by your own family. This one brought everything full-circle — honouring the past, designing for the future, and giving a growing family a place that finally fits exactly how they live now.

Project Credits

Design: Potts Design & Co.
Build: CMC Homes
After Photos: Jordan Plumb Photography