Slow Home Studio Live Workshop – 1960s’ Bungalow Renovation

Posted on: September 29th, 2010 | 5 Comments

For those of you who were unable to join us LIVE for our workshop last night, click on the player below to see John and Matthew’s case study analysis of a 1960′s bungalow renovation that their firm “housebrand” did a few years ago.

1960s’ Bungalow Existing Pictures



1960s’ Bungalow Renovation Pictures

Make sure to join us for our next LIVE workshop on Saturday morning at 10am Pacific/ 11am Mountain/ 1pm Eastern where we will be helping one of our long time Slow Home members re=work the master bedroom and ensuite area of their Toronto home!

  • Terri

    John/Matthew;
    I’ve been looking at your before & after stills, and I was just wondering if the homeowners replaced the wooden bannister. Also, was the beige carpeting removed on the formal dining room/staircase side of the fireplace too?

  • GaryC

    John and Matthew
    You had mentioned briefly about the bay windows in the kitchen and nook and your wish to revise them if possible. What would you suggest as an alternative to these.
    Thankx

  • Matthew North

    Terri – we sprayed the bannisters out in a white lacquer as well as all the panelling in the stairs – believe it or not – it looked great. I will see if I have a photos of this somewhere kicking around. The carpeting was removed everywhere on the main floor and replaced with the walnut hardwood.

    GaryC – I would have preferred to remove the bay window in the kitchen and “square off” the exterior wall. In the nook, I also wanted to create 90 degree walls with floor to ceiling windows. However, this type of work is expensive and when I look at the final results it is one of those things that does not impact the overall quality of the space or the design. So, I think the prudent decision of leaving these parts of the house “as is” is a good example for all architects, homeowners and designers to ask themselves how critical it is to “get rid” of some of the more dated elements during a renovation or can a design compromise be reached. This is a great question – and worth a discussion!

  • Theresa@NY

    Great renovation. I especially like when you point out details that are easy to miss but that add coherence to the design.

    Is it possible for you to boost the volume of the sound? There was one moment early on that was loud enough – otherwise I really have to strain to hear you. I would have assumed it was just a limitation of my old laptop except for that one short segment where you came in loud and clear. I’ve noticed this in the segments on Mike’s home in Toronto too. Thanks.

  • Terri

    Re: compromise.
    I like to hear that the bannister was painted out, and the wood not just dumped. I know that big rock fireplaces are not a designer’s choice anymore, but I feel these homeowners made a reasoned decision and with your input turned what could be thought of as an eyesore into a piece of art–not fine art, but rocks have beauty too! The bay windows are testaments to the history of the home, much like those patched brick walls in Mike’s place.