Ottawa’s most trusted name in complete home renovations
BRIAN MCCULLOUGH
Postmedia Content Works
With house and condo prices going through the roof, it is hardly surprising that more and more retirees are choosing to remain in their homes as they age. Westend Bath & Kitchen owner Adam Mallett says conditions are such that it probably makes better sense to renovate an existing home for improved accessibility than to pull up stakes and start over elsewhere.
“You will likely spend as much on the purchase of a new place as you’ll make from the increased sale value of your current home,” Mallett said. “We can give you everything you need to let you age in place in the family home that holds somany of your memories.”
Westboro customers Sandra and Scott chose to do exactly that when they decided to upgrade their 1958-vintage, three-bedroom bungalow. They wanted the amenities of a modern condo that could accommodate them through their retirement years, but were determined to remain in the same neighbourhood.
“We quickly realized that anything else in this area would be way too expensive and need work anyway,” Sandra said, “so we decided to stay and renovate.”
The couple had no problem turning their house keys over to Westend Bath & Kitchen — Ottawa’s most trusted home renovation company since 1987. With its impeccable industry credentials and long-standing reputation for excellence, the family-owned and operated business has the expertise and professional connections necessary to handle even the most complex interior renovations.
“Other companies insisted they couldn’t do 3D drawings because there was too much modelling involved,” Scott said, “but Westend had 3D drawings ready for us soon after the measurements were done. This was really helpful.”
The couple quickly formed a great working relationship with designer Loretta Blanchard, who led them through the exciting process of designing a completely new, accessible floor plan. With so many showroom samples available to choose from, the customers said that selecting the materials and colours they wanted for their dream retirement home was easy and enjoyable.
To achieve Blanchard’s “condo feel” design, the entire main floor was gutted down to the studs, walls were reconfigured, and beams were added to support the new open plan layout. Bathrooms, doorways — everything was optimized for ease of mobility. For esthetics, the wood-burning fireplace was converted to gas, with a new “marble” look porcelain tile surround, while engineered wood flooring was installed to complement the floor tiles in the high-traffic areas. The entire main floor has a cohesive, calming flow to it.
Speaking afterward, Scott commented on Westend’s work ethic, worry-free warranty and impressive attention to detail. He was particularly struck, he said, by the care that was taken to properly align the intricate pattern in the bathroom wall tiles.
“We felt that everyone was committed to the project, and to making us happy through a positive experience,” he said.
With autumn just around the corner, now is the perfect time to talk to the experts at Westend Bath & Kitchen about upgrading your home in time for the holidays. Whether that involves installing a doorless entry shower or raising a sunken living room back up to the main floor level for easier mobility, Mallett says no interior renovation job is too big for his team to handle.
“Westend Bath and Kitchen has access to new products and renovation techniques that allow people to age in place more comfortably in their homes,” he said. “No matter how huge an undertaking it might be, we can reconfigure your entire living space.”
The Westend Bath and Kitchen showroom and renovation design centre at 1660 Woodward Dr. is open Monday to Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. To schedule a free home renovation estimate, call 613-226-7701, or visit the company ’s website at www.westendbk.ca. You can also find them on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
