Two-Tier Backyard Deck

New deck, built July 2012, made of pressure-treated wood.

Upper deck is set up for barbeque and lower deck holds table and chairs. Wide steps form the backyard are perfect for those summer entertaining nights. A second set of steps leads directly from the driveway up to the upper deck.

Westdale Bathroom Renovation

Bathroom renovation completed July 2012. Existing bathroom was gutted (all tiles and old drywall + plaster removed due to mold), and replaced with all new fiberglass drywall and cement board to ensure waterproofing. New square ceramic tiles on the floor, new faucet on sink, new dual-flush toilet installed, new white subway tiles installed in shower/tub stall and halfway up the walls around toilet and sink. New vanity installed above sink. New shower head and tap installed in bathtab.

Graham Ave Renovations - Basement Staircase Edition

Staircase before - wood paneling, more pink paint, and no railing, and indoor-outdoor carpeting on extremely steep, short steps.

Staircase after - wood paneling removed, walls expanded, redrywalled and painted. Railing added. Steps rebuilt with better depth and height. Laminate on steps with metal bull-noses.

Staircase view from basement before

Staircase view from basement after (+ storage for cleaning supplies!)

Graham Ave Renovations - Basement Bathroom Edition

Basement bathroom before - More aqua paint, unleveled floors, fluorescent lighting, and peel & stick tiles. Note the duct tape on the floor.

Basement Bathroom during - Walls stripped of old tiles and exterior wall drywalled. New larger shower stall is framed in.

Basement Bathroom after - New tiles on floor and wall, including mosaic tiles for ornamentation. New overhead light fixture installed. New shower stall is framed and drywalled, and new vanity and cabinet installed.

Shower stall before - I guess they used a mish-mash of sample tiles to build the original shower! Square area of missing tiles around the drain meant you had to be careful where you stepped with bare feet in order to miss sharp edges!

Shower stall after - New mosaic tiles on floor, cut to fit around drain. New ceramic tiles on wall, and new plumbing fixtures.

Sink area before - Green floral wallpaper above aqua wall tiles. Dated medicine cabinet and sink vanity.

Sink area after - Neutral paint freshens the space. New electrical outlet installed. New sink vanity, mirror, and dressing-room lights.

Graham Ave Renovations - Basement Living Room Edition

Basement Living Room before - Cement floor (un-level), fluorescent dropped ceiling light

Basement Living Room during - Floor has been leveled with 2x8 ribs cut down to 0 (each board is cut on an angle to bring the lower part of floor up to the same height as the highest part. Ribs are laid at equal distances across the floor , then topped with OSB. Recessed wall has been moved in a little to accommodate a larger bathroom, hence the new drywall.

Basement Living Room after - New laminate on floor, fresh paint, recessed pot lights to make the most out of 6ft2 ceiling height, new window covering, fresh paint throughout

Graham Ave Renovations - Second Bedroom Edition

2nd Bedroom before - More pink walls (see Living Room post below), more distressed subfloor acting as hardwood (see Master Bedroom post below), and a door to one very sketchy addition (see House Exterior post below) full of squirrel nests!

2nd bedroom after - New plush carpeting installed, door replaced with new window, new electrical outlet installed beneath window, neutral wall paint.

2nd Bedroom Closet before - Bathroom pipe blocking with only one rod for hanging clothes.

2nd Bedroom Closet after - Pipe is enclosed into a new wall (allows for deeper closet space in bathroom, too - see Bathroom Edition post below), another hanging rod is installed for pants in front, and a shelf installed above. Carpet installed on floor (not shown) and new paint freshen the space.

Graham Ave Renovations - Master Bedroom Edition

Master before - sub-floor had been stained in an effort to act as hardwood but large gaps exist between each distressed plank that filled easily with dirt and debris. Distressed wood trim on windows. Dark paint colour closing in the space.

Master after - Lighter wall colour brightens and freshens the space. New window coverings and white trim update the windows. Plush carpet on floor makes a cozier space

Master after - Opposite view of room

Master Closet before - Small linen closet is the only storage space in the room.

Master Closet after - New closet is installed by opening the wall deeper and then framing a new wall with sliding doors

Master Closet after - A peek at one side of the new closet with plenty of hanging space despite slanted ceiling, and a shoe shelf.

Graham Ave Renovations - Bathroom Edition

Shower area before - Plastic tub surround instead of tiles, unique aquamarine wall colour, oversized vanity (cracked)

Shower area after - Neutral wall colour, new ceramic tiles on shower surround and side of bathtub, fresh white trim installed throughout, new sink vanity and mirror installed (out of photo)

Toilet area before - no cabinetry except under sink vanity,  wooden seat, aquamarine wall

Toilet area after - new storage cabinet installed into wall to provide deep shelving, shelf added above toilet, new white seat to match white trim and neutral wall colour

Graham Ave Renovations - House Exterior Edition

Before - PINK siding and fascia?! dated shutters, very old roof with FIVE layers of shingles including cedar shake to be removed, cement porch

After - New 30-year shingles on roof, brown fascia and ducts, no more shutters, chocolate brown porch and steps

Before - Strange addition over the back deck was lacking proper support and only accessible by going through a bedroom... Deck was skirted with lattice and many of the dated rails were broken or missing. Also note the pink pink (or "salmon") coloured siding and fascia!

After - Strange addition removed with floor kept as a sunroof over part of the deck, and rolled with flat-roofing. Door from bedroom to addition replaced with a new window instead. Deck revamped with new boards where needed and stained. New skirt installed with 2x4s. Sturdy new railing installed with wide surface perfect for setting drinks. New siding installed, brown fascia, and new back door.

Graham Ave Renovations - Kitchen Edition

Before - dated cabinetry that was rotting due to unfixed sink leaking; not enough storage or counter space; dirty peel & stick tiles on floor; stove vent that was not actually connected to the outside.

During - Removal of cabinets and wall tiles, fixing the plumbing, and moving of stove lines

After - Updated cabinetry with new ceramic tiles on floor and backsplash. Pantry cupboard and bar-height island added for more storage and counterspace. New microwave shelf. Sink plumbing fixed. Stove moved so that venting to outside works.