As a general contractor, it’s a special privilege to be asked to do a full home renovation. It means the customer trusts your team to let them take over their entire living space for a serious length of time while the transformation takes place.
A perfect example of this was a project the C Brannon Construction team took on in the Calgary neighbourhood of Varsity. The home was a (roughly) 1100 square foot, storey-and-a-half, 3 bedrooms, 2 bathroom bungalow. The customer was looking for a complete renovation and remodel throughout the main floor, from the studs on up. Our team was engaged throughout the home, but our primary focus was on bringing the ageing home up to a safe standard and creating a new kitchen, dining room, and living space.
Starting with safety
Our client’s home was built in the 1970s, which means that there were some internal aspects of the home that needed to be upgraded before we could focus on the cosmetic build. The first step was the removal of some significant amounts of asbestos. We’re lucky to work with a skilled trade partner that specializes in asbestos abatement, so all of the drywall mud in both the walls and ceiling were removed from the home safely. Then we moved on to the wiring. As homes of this era were typically set up with problematic aluminum wiring, our team began the process of removing it and installing a much safer (and up to current code) solution.
One of the benefits of a “down to the studs” renovation is the ability to assess the entire structure for points of weakness and mould (luckily there was none). Then we had the opportunity to seal it with a new vapour barrier to prevent air from escaping in the future (for warmer winters and cooler summers).
Creating a Dream Kitchen
The C Brannon Construction team worked very closely with the design team to help bring the customer’s vision to life. The existing kitchen was very dated and dark, so a plan was created to offer more space, while also opening up the main floor walls in a few locations to create a warm, social area for cooking, and creating better flow throughout the main floor.
The kitchen was completely torn out so new cabinets and countertops could be installed. A new bank of cabinets was installed alongside one of the lengths of the kitchen to create a pantry encompassed in the cabinets.
A new sink, fixtures and appliances were added, new hardwood flooring and pot lighting were installed to brighten the space and improve the functionality, along with an island in the centre of the kitchen that creates more work space and a nice spot to socialize with the cook.
Then came custom countertops, cabinets, and a range hood. The kitchen cabinets were custom ordered to fit and came complete with practical, simplified storage solutions in the cabinets to keep cooking essentials within easy reach places, and everything can then have its spot.
The kitchen received decorative tile backsplash throughout, adding light and texture to the room and helping it to feel larger and open. Our team also created a large breakfast nook as a cozy space to enjoy smaller meals.
Modern Sitting Area
Just off the kitchen was a sitting area with a large brick fireplace. We employed a special technique referred to as soda blasting to get almost 50 years of grime, soot, and dirt out of the brick before repainting for a much brighter look. New flooring and paint were added and custom shelving to create book cases was ordered and installed along the mantle, giving a much organized, cozier, and welcoming feel to the room.
Loving the Living Room
The living room area also saw a major makeover, with some structural changes along the entrance to the dining room to open up both spaces. The living room also saw new paint, flooring, casing, and lighting throughout.
The difference between the old space and the new space is incredible, and we encourage you to check out the pictures throughout this post to gain an idea of how much we were able to transform an ageing interior into something fresh and modern.
If you are looking for a major home transformation, you’re in good hands with C Brannon Construction. Give us a call to start turning dreams into reality today.