Master Ensuite & Powder Room Renovations by DE5IGN STUDIO
The owners, Patricia Lovett-Reid, the chief financial commenter for CTV and her husband Jim Reid approached us to redesign their master ensuite bathroom and powder room. The building is only a few years old however, the spaces were starting to look a bit tired and contained material selected by the builder. The client’s project requirements were to provide more storage for their toiletries, proper lighting for makeup application and a shower with a rainhead above. Not only that, but a space that would be cohesive with the other spaces in their home. As well as a space that would be contemporary, abstract and international.
We solved the storage issue by designing a custom white floating vanity with lighting integrated underneath. This vanity has four drawers with no handles to create a minimalistic appearance, two on each side, with dividers inside for compartmentalizing ones items. Sitting on top of the vanity we chose a white Cesearstone countertop with two undermount porcelain basins. Instead of having the faucets on the countertop we thought it would be better installed on the wall to create more room on the countertop. Directly above in line with the edges of the vanity, is one long brightly backlit mirror that gives off enough lighting for make-up application. Then there is the seamless white porcelain flooring that resembles marble, leading into the walk-in shower with a rainhead above. Just outside the shower, all the flooring is heated so you never have to step out of a warm shower onto cold tile. Inside the shower we have a shower niche clad in mosaic, a handheld spray and a linear drain along the wall. To enlarge the space and make it appear brighter, we decided to use long and narrow white porcelain tile on all four walls. This tile is made to replicate the look of marble. There are four different types of finishes on the porcelain wall tile to create interest. Some are matte, some are textured and others are polished. In regards to the bathtub, we intended to have a freestanding tub however, we couldn’t move the drain and therefore, clad the existing tub in Cesearstone.
 |
 |
 |
In addition, to the master ensuite bathroom, the client wanted to upgrade their powder room. This space is sure to impress any guest that comes over, with the textured wall covering that resembles linen, white hexagon mosaic floor tile and a floating white vanity with lighting underneath. The powder room has a custom vanity with the same white Cesearstone countertop as seen in the master ensuite bathroom. The only difference is that we ran a piece of slab above the countertop/behind the wall mounted faucet to protect the surrounding wallpaper from moisture. Directly above we placed a backlit mirror which gives off the perfect lighting for makeup application. Both spaces are equipment with water efficient toilets and chrome finishes.
It is obvious from first glance that exquisite craftsmanship has gone into its creation and now our clients and their guests can enjoy the newly renovated and designed spaces.
BUILDING ISSUES IN THE SIX
In upcoming issues we'll explore questions like these with help from our award-winning team of designers, engineers, project managers and trade professionals, whose focus is exclusively on renovating old-Toronto houses.
One issue that may be of particular interest to Toronto homeowners is the City of Toronto's proposed Changing Lanes—Laneway Suites project. With a network of approximately 311 kms of laneways weaving throughout many older parts of the city, there is untapped potential to introduce a new form of housing accessible from these lanes. Allowing the construction of secondary suites or small houses at the rear of residential properties served by laneways could increase the supply of desperately needed rental units. It would also provide a source of potential income for homeowners who are struggling with the high cost of property ownership in the city.
BACK ON THE TABLE
A previous initiative to explore laneway housing was rejected by the city due to the complexities and challenges of severing properties and servicing the new buildings through the restricted laneway spaces. The proposal currently under review is based on the idea of allowing the construction of an accessory building that would form part of an existing residential property, and would still be owned as part of the main property. The building would be serviced from the existing house on the property. It would not contemplate land severances or independent utility services. The thinking is this would be more like having a basement apartment, only instead of the apartment being in your basement, it's in a detached little building in your backyard facing the lane.
CANADIAN CITIES EMBRACE LANEWAY HOUSING
There are numerous factors that the city must consider in determining the viability of this concept, including zoning, building code, fire and emergency services access, demands on public services and the concerns of neighbours and community groups. The city has undertaken an extensive review of the idea and has developed a set of draft guidelines for implementing a program in the districts of the former City of Toronto and East York. The proposal is presently going through various community hearings, with what so far seems to be generally enthusiastic support. Like all things bureaucratic, it's a slow process and impossible to know if or when it may come to pass, but the signs are encouraging. Other municipalities in Canada and the U.S. have either adopted or are seriously exploring similar laneway housing programs, including Vancouver, Ottawa, Regina and Edmonton.
For more information, the city has a 
