3 Gorgeous Renos to Tide You Over Until Our Annual Reno Issue is Here

We’ve got good news and bad news: the good news is our annual Reno Issue is coming out in only one week! The bad news is you’ll have to wait an entire week to see the fresh renos we’ve featured, including homes by Reigo & Bauer, AAmp Studio, Ben Homes and new-firm-on-the-block Studio of Contemporary Architecture (although we’ve sneakily posted the latter here). We’ve covered a countless number of renos in the past that have stood the test of time, though, so while you wait for the new homes, why not pore through some of the older ones? Below, a trio of our favourites for you to peruse until you get your hands on the new issue.

Heritage-ish

While grand, this 465-square-metre Rosedale Edwardian nevertheless felt disjointed inside, and with a heritage designation, it meant tearing it down wasn’t an option. While it needed a substantial amount of work, Pat Hanson, founder and principal of gh3 (a recent winner at the 2020 AZ Awards), opted to retain more than just the facade. While some spaces were consolidated, the centre hall layout was retained and flow improved throughout. And the central staircase, while not re-located, was re-worked with a sculptural turn. See the home here.

Family Friendly

After failing to find a new home that was better-suited to their five-member family, a couple decided to stay put and bring in Drew Mandel Architects to update their tired Beaches semi. After a full gutting, Mandel installed a double-height addition over the entryway, adding room inside while providing a contemporary flourish for the exterior. On the ground floor, polished walnut millwork and flooring in the kitchen matches the semi-open staircase, while in the living room, floor-to-ceiling windows framed in walnut – there’s a theme here – open up into the backyard. See the reno here.

The Long Game

On a grand enough scale, what’s a 10-year reno really? After stumbling across a dilapidated, century-old rural cannery, a graphic designer saw that it had the potential to be, well, a lot of things. And so, after a decade that saw its brickwork, metal siding and wooden structure restored, seemingly acres of Peronda tile installed and furniture and fixtures from labels like Ligne Roset, B&B Italia and Fontana Arte selected and placed, the former light industrial site now functions as a country retreat, furniture showroom and event space. See the full build here.