Rosedale Family Home Revival
The Hendersons came to us with a 1960s brick house that had "good bones" but desperately needed a fresh perspective. We basically gutted the interior while keeping the facade respectful to the neighborhood's character - though we did sneak in some bigger windows.
Biggest challenge? Working around their insane work schedules and three dogs who thought construction workers were there to play fetch. Took us about 14 months start to finish, including a winter delay that nobody saw coming.
"We honestly didn't think they could pull it off within our budget, but they did. Our house actually feels like ours now, not like we're living in someone else's timeline."
- Sarah Henderson, Homeowner
Open-concept workspace with natural lighting
TechStart Office Hub
A fintech startup needed 8,500 sq ft of office space that didn't scream "boring bank" but also couldn't look like a Silicon Valley cliche. They wanted collaboration zones without the awkward forced fun vibe. Challenge accepted.
We went with flexible partitions, lots of glass (privacy when needed, openness by default), and honestly way more plants than we initially planned. Turns out their CEO is really into biophilic design - learned a ton from her actually.
"They got what we were going for immediately. No explaining our company culture 47 times. The space actually helps with recruitment now - people walk in and get it."
- Marcus Chen, CEO TechStart
Bloor Street Bistro Makeover
This one was personal - the owner's family had run this spot for 30 years but it looked every bit of it. They wanted to keep regulars happy while attracting a younger crowd. Tricky balance, honestly.
We kept the original bar (stripped and refinished it though), opened up the kitchen with a pass-through, and completely reworked the lighting. The old fluorescents were doing nobody any favors.
Coolest part? We found the original tin ceiling under layers of drywall. Spent two weeks carefully restoring it - totally worth it. Now it's their main talking point.
Project took about 8 weeks, working mostly nights after they closed. The team lived on espresso and the owner's famous perogies. Fair trade if you ask me.
"My regulars were skeptical at first - you know how people get about change. But even old Joe who's been coming since 1995 admitted it looks sharp. Business is up 40% and my staff actually enjoys being here now."
- Antoni Kowalski, Owner
Distillery District Loft
Converted a 1890s warehouse space into modern lofts while preserving every brick and beam we could. Heritage committees watched us like hawks but we got it done right.
Leslieville Townhome Series
Four narrow lots, four unique designs that somehow work together. Each homeowner had different needs - made it interesting. One wanted a home gym, another needed a music studio.
Wellness Medical Clinic
Designed a clinic that doesn't feel clinical. Tons of natural light, calming colors, efficient flow. Patients actually arrive early now just to sit in the waiting area. Win.