Westend sets welcome mat out for visitors at Ottawa Home & Remodelling Show
BRIAN MCCULLOUGH
Postmedia Content Works
Like many smart homeowners in search of quality home renovations, Ottawa west end resident Andrew paid a visit to the annual Ottawa Home & Remodelling Show at the EY Centre. The hightech software security manager had just bought a 1927-vintage home in Wellington Village, and was now in search of a company that could update his attractive yet dated-looking kitchen into something more suited to his modern lifestyle.
The most recent kitchen (and bathroom) renovations had been done in the mid-1990s, and as far as Andrew was concerned a change was definitely in order to make the space his own. “I knew I wanted something done,” he said, “but I really didn’t know what could fit within my space. I’m not a designer.”
As so many visitors to the Home Show end up doing, Andrew found his way to the Westend Bath and Kitchen booth where one of the company’s experienced room designers was waiting to answer his every question. On this occasion, veteran designer Peter Schneider was on hand to greet Andrew and discuss his situation. The two made an instant connection.
“After I spoke with Andrew at the Home Show last January, we decided to meet at the Westend showroom the following week to look at his kitchen project in more detail,” Schneider said. “I subsequently went to his house to look at the kitchen and adjoining den area, and take measurements.”
Schneider drew on his years of experience to suggest some dramatic new possibilities for the bright but dated country-style look. His client was looking for better storage space, more usable counter space and a functional 21st-century look for the kitchen and dining areas. Schneider knew exactly how to make it happen, starting from the top.
“With a kitchen ceiling height of 104 inches we were able to use 48-inch upper cabinets to create much greater storage space,” he said. “Since we were using flat cabinet door panels with staggered length tubular handles, I felt the countertops needed to have a lot of character. We opted for ‘Vintage’ granite, which has a bold pattern that complements the colour of the wood. I was able to source a pair of slabs at Interstone Marble & Granite, and had Urban Quarry fabricate them for us. To maintain the darker vertical and lighter horizontal surface look, we opted for a 12”x24” ivory floor tile from Sarana.”
Andrew said he was pleased Schneider also suggested he visit Universal Appliances for all of his new kitchen appliances. The separate built-in oven, and the induction technology cooktop with suspended hood over the peninsula cooktop are stunning, and everything works superbly in the space Schneider designed. As Andrew said, “It all feels very natural, and the flow is really good. It all feels so much less cramped even though it’s in the same physical space.”
Work had barely begun on the kitchen in April, under the helm of contractor Dave Edwards, when Andrew asked Westend to renovate his two bathrooms in the fall. For the upstairs bathroom, Schneider had Edwards remove the old bathtub and replace it with a beautiful, seven-foot-long walk-in shower featuring a hand-held wand, fixed rain head and four body jets. Knowing that Andrew worked in hightech, Schneider’s suggestion that they install an electronic control system for the Grohe shower fixtures turned out to be a great idea. Moving the sink out from under the steeply sloped rear section of ceiling was also appreciated by his tall client.
For the main floor bathroom, Westend removed the small shower unit and replaced it with a BainUltra ThermoMasseur tub. Because the room is relatively small, a pedestal sink was installed in place of the standard cabinet and wash bowl. The linear design of the components offered Andrew the modern look he was after. All of the bathroom work was completed two weeks ahead of schedule.
“Everything was simple from my perspective because Peter walked me through the whole process,” Andrew said. “He was super organized, and I was really happy with his level of attention to detail. Seeing some of his past designs, I could tell he had a good eye for quality. I knew if I showed him the spaces he would be able to figure out how to make everything work. He and Dave Edwards were amazing. They coordinated everything. They knew what they needed to do, and they got it done.”
If home renovation projects are on your list of things to do for 2017, stop by the Westend Bath & Kitchen display during next week’s Ottawa Home & Remodelling Show at the EY Centre. Their friendly and talented designers will be ready to serve you at booth 1812.
The Westend Bath & Kitchen showroom, located at 1660 Woodward Dr., is open Monday to Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. You can also visit www.westendbathandkitchen. com, or call 613-226-7701 to schedule a free estimate.
