Design

Is Open Concept Living Right For You?

Is Open Concept Living Right For You?

The past few decad have seen a number of exciting interior design trends. Along with larger kitchens and renovated bathrooms, many people have turned to the open concept living space. Designed to knock down walls and create a sense of space where there previously was separation, the open concept living approach has its own set of pros and cons. Is open concept living right for you? Let’s take a moment to find out.

What is an Open Concept Living Space?

Open concept living is based on the philosophy of open space. It tears down unnecessary walls, creating unbroken sight lines from one side of the home to another. It is most commonly done with the kitchen, living room, and dining room. Open concept living is popular because it makes spaces appear bigger. They are fantastic when you have smaller apartments or townhouses. They aid in opening up a small space and making it feel airier. It can also be great for parties. The open design allows people in all major rooms to talk to one another.

Concept Living Space

Open concept living is great when you need to watch kids, or otherwise see other parts of the house with ease. It is a great thing to do if you want a space to appear larger and more open.

The downside to open concept living is that it means a lack of privacy. Sound attenuation can be a problem, as well. It is until you live in an open concept design that you begin to appreciate separation when you’re trying to watch the big game and all you hear is the sound of the faucet running.

There is also the issue of decoration that many people struggle with. You may need to take some time and find the right furniture and layout to make the space feel both open and comfortable.

Is Open Concept Living Right For You?

First, consider the space you have available. Are the walls load baring or can they be knocked down? If the wall is load bearing, you absolutely must bring in a contractor to install a load-bearing beam – the integrity of your home is at risk if not.

Consider what removing a wall would do in terms of the overall aesthetic. If you feel up to having fun with the space and things feel too tight as it is, then you will want an open concept living space. If not, then consider leaving things the way they are and save yourself the money. If nothing else, try to experience such a space for yourself to see whether or not you like it.  Contact us, or give us a call at (613)727-9427

Designing a Vintage Kitchen That Wows

Designing a Vintage Kitchen That Wows

A blank canvas provides space for endless ideas to come to life. As modern kitchen layouts demand more and more space, the interior opportunities of a kitchen become (like the canvas) limitless. Simply put, it has never been easier to specialize the look and appearance of your kitchen to meet your aesthetic needs. A popular transformation is to turn modern looking kitchens into vintage kitchens. Below we review some of the areas you should focus on when designing a vintage kitchen to make it stand out and absolutely wow any person who walks in.

Replace What You Can, Make Vintage What You Cannot

A modern kitchen is filled with necessary devices that many cannot live without. When making your kitchen look vintage, you will need to identify what you can replace and what you cannot. You would be surprised at just how many vintage alternatives there are to common household appliances. For the things you cannot replace, you can find ways to make them look vintage. Focus on colours, as the matching aesthetic will be necessary to create a uniform appearance. And on that note…

Pick Your Colour!

Many vintage kitchens were designed around a single primary colour that stands out and shocks. Yellow and blue as well as turquoise and red are common colour pairings for backgrounds. For those things in the foreground, consider pastel yellow, mint, and pale pinks. Be aware that you will have several competing colours. While some of them you can choose, others will have to be incorporated from things like appliances or counters that cannot be replaced.

Never Forget the Cabinets

A central part of making your kitchen look vintage will be the cabinets. Check out scanned copies of early in home magazines. They will have photos of kitchen and be a great source of information for the kind of aesthetic you are looking for. Kept relatively simple, painted, and neat, the vintage cabinet look is surprisingly easy to recreate.

Where Do We Go From Here?

If you are experienced with do it yourself operations, then you no doubt know the first thing you should do. If not, then consider hiring a kitchen renovations contractor in Ottawa to review the process and lend their experience. Along with being able to save you a lot of hassle later in the process, you may be surprised at what they can offer in terms of insight.  Contact us, or give us a call at (613)727-9427

5 Summer Design Trends

5 Summer Design Trends

Interested in new design trends for your home this summer? You are not alone! Every year new and exciting changes happen to how we approach interior design. Below we list five exciting design trends that you should consider as we enter the home renovation season. You may be surprised at some of the trends interior decorators are working on right now.

1. The Fireplace

In the past few years, it was all about incorporated technology into the living room. This year, the most recent summer design trend is to shy away from technology completely and emphasize the fireplace instead. Doing so creates a central point to the entire living room that is cozy and heartwarming. Akin to Frank Lloyd Wright’s use of the fireplace as the focal point to the house, the re-emphasis on the fireplace is critical.

Summer Design Trends

2. Bathroom Mirrors That “Wow”

Every year, different parts of the home become the “statement piece.” A popular statement piece for this year includes the bathroom. In particular, the mirror is turning into a popular statement piece. Shaped akin to other objects in the wallpaper, tiling, or more, the bathroom is a great place to add a little fun.

3. The Return of the Dining Room

Formal dining rooms are making a popular return. With space in a home dedicated to eating and enjoying one another’s company, the dining room is increasing in popularity as people convert back the space. While most people typically turn them into offices, there has been a return to the eating space in the most recent summer design trends.

4. Strategically Heated Flooring

More recently bathrooms have become the battleground for heated floors. Considered a luxury and a must by anyone who experiences them, the heated floors have turned out to be quite popular. The most recent summer design trend take on this is heated entryways. The toasty floor helps you to warm up your feet and keep what is typically the coldest part of your home nice and comfortable. Now you may be thinking: “heated floors in the summer?” But the frosty fall and winter months are just around the corner and you want to be prepared!

5. The Retro Kitchen

Typically in brighter and more exuberant colours, the retro kitchen has exploded in popularity as a leading design for this summer. Utilizing a mix of creativity, 50s inspired appliance, and more, the retro kitchen provides a classic feel that is jaw dropping. The retro kitchen includes making changes to the cabinets and stepping away from the stainless steel trend that has dominated kitchen design in the past few years. Look to experienced interior designers and vintage magazines to help inspire where you take this trend.

Whether you have a design vision in mind or need a little inspiration, RenosGroup.ca is here to help! We specialize in bathroom renovations, kitchen remodeling, and home additions to transform the look, feel, and function of your home.  Contact us, or give us a call at (613)727-9427

The First Steps in Planning a Redesign

The First Steps in Planning a Redesign

Watching home renovation shows on HGTV and other channels can be deceiving. In just 20 minutes (plus commercials!) entire properties are redesigned and overhaul and turned into beautiful homes. Unfortunately, the reality isn’t quite so easy. Planning a major redesign takes time, expertise and attention to detail at every step of the process. However, with the help of a qualified contractor who takes the time to understand your needs and do things the right way, the process will feel almost as easy as it looks on TV.

Here’s how to avoid as many headaches as possible so that you can really hit the ground running!

Understand Your Surroundings

Before you even think about different design aesthetics, cabinet colour, hardware selection etc., you need to look at the actual physical space that you are going to be transforming. People make the mistake of getting fixated on granite versus quartz, without remembering that the actual layout is a far bigger priority.

Not only are you going to want to pay very close attention to the actual layout of the space and its “flow,” but you are also going to want to make sure that you pull as many aesthetic cues from your space as possible. This is the only approach that will have you creating “native” spaces in your home, or spaces that have a unique design aesthetic that blends seamlessly with the rest of your property.

While you do have carte blanche with a complete redesign, unlimited possibilities require unlimited budget. Work with your existing space to save money and time where you can. For example, with a kitchen renovation it makes sense to keep the sink and dishwasher in roughly the same place. If you flip the sink to an opposite wall, it will require expensive changes to the plumbing routing.

Outline Your Expectations

Once you have completely tackled understanding your space and the overall scope of your project you are going to want to then begin to outline your expectations, your inspiration, and the details that you absolutely MUST include in your new redesign.

You are going to want to be sure that you do absolutely everything in your power to “create” this new redesigned space in your mind long before you even think about tackling the actual physical project of making it a reality. This is a critical step that too terribly many people skip over or ignore altogether, and that’s just the fastest way to crash and burn when it comes time to redesign. Nothing derails a renovation project like deciding midway through you’d like to add an island in the kitchen.

Get Clear Regarding Your Logistics

Obviously, you’re also going to want to think about details like your budget, your time constraints, and your overall schedule when you are getting ready to initiate this kind of project.

You’ll want to know just about exactly how much this redesign is going to cost, exactly how long it is going to take, and exactly what you are going to be up to expect along the way. These details can quite literally make or break your overall experience, so make sure that you knock each of these three key areas out of the park!

With more than 25 years of combined industry experience, RenosGroup has helped many homeowners plan successful redesign projects. How can we help you?  Contact us, give us a call at (613)727-9427

5 Different Ways to Use a Coach House

5 Different Ways to Use a Coach House

If you haven’t heard yet, coach houses are now approved in Ottawa. These changes are meant to make properties more flexible for homeowners and create more living options for people throughout the city.  Some people have decided to create incredible functional spaces out of their coach house whereas others have utilized these extra chunks of usable square footage to create much more attractive and appealing real estate properties when they go on the market.  Regardless of how you anticipate using your coach house in the future, you want to think about converting it into at least one of the 5 different ways to use a coach house below.

Coach House for Extra Income


You can convert an old garage or shed into a coach house, or built a new coach house from the ground up. Regardless of which option you choose, a coach house can functional as an external apartment that you can rent out. In the Ottawa area, a private dwelling of this nature is very appealing for students, young professionals, or even retirees who do not need much space but appreciate the separation and quiet of a standalone coach house. You can use the extra income to pay down your mortgage, finance renovations to your main property, put it toward retirement, your children’s education funds, or just have fun with it!

Coach House as an Office


If you have difficulty concentrating with all of the noise in the main house, or the idea of working with your laptop on the couch doesn’t scream “productivity,” how about transforming a coach house into an office? The space can be designed to your exact specifications, with all the storage and organization needs met. If clients come to your home, it’s a great secluded space to do business.

Coach House for Hobbies


If you have hobbies you are passionate about, you can bring these hobbies to the next level with a coach house. You can custom-built an art studio, a band rehearsal space, a state-of-the-art greenhouse, a hot tub/spa zone…and much more. The possibilities are endless!

Coach House as a Guest Cottage


Of course you aren’t going to be the only person that can take advantage of your coach house after it has been renovated, especially if you make sure to turn that space into a beautiful guest cottage for all your visitors, family, and friends in the future. It’s a great way to give your guests some privacy – and ease some stress on you as the host!

Downsize into Your Coach House


Once the kids have moved out and you no longer need all that space, what happens if you still love your neighbourhood/property and don’t want to move? An alternate idea is to rent out the main home and live in the coach house. It can be as luxurious and high-end as you’d like.

Would you like to learn more about the 5 different ways to use a coach house? RenosGroup is Ottawa’s favourite choice for coach house construction and coach house conversions, so contact us, or give us a call at (613)727-9427

4 Priorities when Building a Custom Home

4 Priorities when Building a Custom Home

Building a custom home can be one of the most exciting projects you ever invest in – but it can also be one of the scariest. Don’t let stress overwhelm your excitement. If you’re interested in building a custom home, consider these important priorities before you take that next step.

Choose a Reputable Contractor

Nothing is more important than being able to trust the hands that will be constructing your dream home. A custom home is so much more than a bathroom remodel or a weekend renovation project, so it demands a lot of research and investigation. Do your homework and time your time when choosing a home builder. Search online, talk to family and friends, and consult with other pros in the industry to get their expert opinion. You want to ensure that whoever will be conducting the show has the proper set of skills, knowledge, and trade partners to do the job right. Investing time and research for selecting a reputable contractor will give you piece of mind and help avoid any potentially detrimental mistakes in the long run. Meet with several builders in person. Ask for references and examples of past work. Do you get a good vibe from the builder? Remember, building a custom home is going to be a long process that takes cooperation and communication, so you want to gel with the builder in addition to trusting their qualifications.

Use Your Contractor Right From the Get Go

Once you’ve hired someone you feel confident with, use their knowledge and experience right from the beginning. Involve them in the major decisions, such as selection of location and property. They have invaluable information that can help guide you in selecting a property that can save you time and money. Discuss design plans with them before you make final decisions so that they can determine what may or may not be realistic before you get your heart set on an idea.

List Your Priorities

Mapping out a list of what your needs and priorities will be throughout the design will help your contractor – and ultimately, you – make tough decisions when necessary, and allow you to adjust and develop your budget accordingly. Since you are investing a significant sum of money in customizing your home, be sure to consider not only your present needs, but also future needs. Think about the prospect of having children, or even when you’re elderly and can’t climb those stairs like you used to. Flexibility is important!

Create a Budget

After you’ve made a list of what the priorities will be throughout the design, the next step is creating a detailed budget for the project. The sky is the limit in terms of possibilities, but keep in mind that exotic, elaborate designs come with a matching price tag. Fortunately, at RenosGroup.ca we pride ourselves on transparent pricing, we leverage the best possible quotes from our trade partners and suppliers. Consult with your contractor during this process and always leave some extra wiggle room for those unexpected expenses.

If you’re planning to build a custom home in the Ottawa area, consider these priorities before you get started. Do your research and find the right contractor so that you can avoid any headaches, and feel confident about investing in your future.  Contact us, or give us a call at (613)727-9427

Grant’s Marble

Partner Profile: Grant’s Marble

As a leading home renovation company in Ottawa, we are proud to partner with the best manufacturers and supplies of quality materials for your home, kitchen, and bathroom. From custom-built cabinetry to tiles to assisted living modifications to window shutters, we seek out partners who embody the values of quality, dependability, and impeccable design. Many of our suppliers are based right here in Ottawa or the surrounding area. Today, we are excited to profile Grant’s Marble, a manufacturer of engineered marble and granite products.

What is Engineered Stone?

Engineered stone (also known as cultured stone or synthetic stone) is a blend of cast polymers – typically fiberglass, limestone, and resin – combined with pigment to create natural-looking colours and patterns. Cultured marble looks indistinguishable from its natural counterpart, but it also has many advantages. For one, because it is engineered you can request any colour or pattern of your choosing, rather than being limited by nature. Engineered marble is cast in moulds, allowing you to create custom shapes, lengths, and widths for shower surrounds and countertops that would not be possible with slab marble. Finally, engineered marble is the far more economical choice for homeowners who want luxury design at an affordable price point.

What are the Advantages of Engineered Marble?

Engineered marble is maintenance-free and a breeze to clean. Unlike plastic shower bases and walls, the material never cracks. As a bonus, it’s much easier and quicker to install than tile. With roll-in or low threshold options available, it’s a great choice for accessible/mobility friendly bathrooms, and recessed shower niches were also recently added to the product line.

We spoke with Paul Grant, owner of Grant’s Marble, who explained the compelling advantages. “Our synthetic marble products make great bathroom choices. Our shower bases are solid when you stand on them, and when combined with our one-piece wall panels it is said they will outlast the customer! If they are looking for a shower that will never leak, easy to clean, and last – this is it. Oh, did I mention that both have a lifetime warranty? And with 52 colours to choose from, you can always find the perfect colour. We also make custom shower bases to fit different sizes and drain locations. Custom bases offer a low profile threshold that is only 2 1/4” high and is most desirable.”

Marble & Granite for Your Renovation Project

Grant’s Marble is based in Elginburg, ON, a small village just north of Kingston, about a two-hour drive from Ottawa. Grant’s Marble specializes in synthetic marble and granite products for bathrooms, including shower bases, wall panels, seamless vanity tops, and tub decking/skirting. They also make engineered marble accessories, like shower seats and caddies that integrate flawlessly with the rest of the shower. All of their shower bases and wall panels are covered by a robust lifetime warranty.

Grant’s Marble has a very active Facebook page, and we’d like to share some of their creations to give you a visual idea of what is possible with cultured marble.

Custom Shower

Custom shower with marble panels with grey swirl and ceramic tiles

Glass Shower

Glass shower with marble shower base, wall panels, and custom caddy

Marble Tub

Marble tub decking and skirting

Granite Vanity

Engineered granite vanity top

Manufacture Marble

The manufacturing process: a marble wall panel in the factory

If cultured marble from Grant’s Marble sounds like the right fit for your bathroom renovation project, get in touch with RenosGroup.ca! Quality installation, quality materials, and quality customer service is what we’re all about. To see some of our other great partners, check out our Online Product Showroom.  Contact us, or give us a call at (613)727-9427

5 Unique Ways To Add Character To Your Home

5 Unique Ways To Add Character To Your Home

Have you ever visited a friend’s home only to be “wowed” by the experience? What about it was memorable? Chances are that there was something in the home that helped add to its character. Simply put, the character of a home is the feeling you get when you are inside. It can be warm, inviting, cool, austere, grandiose, classic, and more. Simply put, there are innumerable ways you can add character to your home and make it that special place you love to live in. Below are five unique ways you can add character to your own home. A primer guide, hopefully some of the suggestions here will get you thinking!

Focus On Your Staircase

The staircase is an often-missed opportunity to add unique character to your home. Consider removing the carpet if any and repair any damage to the wood. Consider making changes to stain of the wood, adding a decorative railing, or simply consider wall hangings for the home. You will be amazed at how many ideas come to mind when you take a long hard look at your stairwell.

Unique Ways To Add Character To Your Home

Stress Architectural Aesthetics

Many homes, especially older homes, are filled with smaller architectural embellishments. Stress these embellishments in the style of the home and make it stand out both internally and externally. You can create a more unifying aesthetic inside and out by focusing on these minor features.

Consider Built-Ins For Unused Spaces

Many homes have unused space like a bay window or area around a fireplace. Consider hollowing out some of these spaces to create a seat with storage. Something like a chair and cabinet space either built into the space or added can create a picturesque scene within your home.

Put Time Into Your Entrance And Welcoming Foyer

The first thing people will see when entering your home (outside of your front door of course) will be your entrance and welcoming foyer. Use this as an opportunity to set the mood and theme of the house. Whatever is stressed aesthetically throughout the home can have a representation of that style or design clearly on display when people enter.

Pay Closer Attention To Lighting

People often forget lighting when they are considering their interior space. Don’t make this mistake and do some research. Different intensities and colours may work in different parts of the home to help give each section their own unique feel.

For design inspiration and professional renovation done right, RenosGroup.ca is the preferred choice. Get a free estimate today!  Or give us a call at (613)727-9427

Remodeling the Laundry Room

Remodeling the Laundry Room

Let’s be honest, we don’t think about the laundry room much. For many homeowners, if it’s not a stacked washer/dryer crammed into a linen closet, it’s a dark, dingy room with bare floors, exposed walls, and zero charm. If you’re planning a home renovation project, why not incorporate a laundry room upgrade, too?

Location, Location, Location


First things first, a laundry room doesn’t by default need to be in the basement. Ask yourself what location makes the most sense for your family. Does it make sense to have it upstairs so you can throw in dirty clothes right away and not have to haul loads of laundry up and down the stairs? On the main floor so you can sort and fold while keeping a watchful eye on the kids (bonus: a main floor laundry room can double as a mudroom)? Or do you want a custom-designed laundry room in the basement with all the storage you could ever need?

Creative Laundry Room Ideas


Who says a laundry room has be a dark, lifeless space? Consider incorporating some of the following ideas:

  • Window to the world. If you have a main floor laundry, why not place it near a window? Bring life to the space with plants and tasteful décor.
  • Let there be light. Task lighting
  • Utility sink. Every laundry room needs a sink, but it can also be a mucky sink where kids can wash hands after playing outside, you can clean your gardening tools, or you can rinse sports gear before heading inside.
  • Hanging rod. This is a cheap and useful addition to any laundry room. Use it air-dry delicates and hang shirts so they don’t get wrinkled after drying.
  • Cupboards can be used to hide away detergents, bleach and other washing accessories that need to be hidden away from the kids.
  • Cabinets help keep the look of your laundry room clean by tucking away hampers, the ironing board, and much more.

Material Choice


When it comes to flooring, water resistance is the key. The last thing you want in the unfortunate case of a washing machine leak is to ruin the floor. Stone, slate, or ceramic tiles are great choices, while vinyl is a budget-friendly alternative. For countertops, consider concrete or stainless steel. Cupboard/cabinet material is entirely up to your style choice.

These are just a few options. You can design and remodel your laundry room as you like. Just let your creative instincts guide you, or talk to the Ottawa renovation pros at RenosGroup to learn more.  Contact us, or give us a call at (613)727-9427

The Top Home Design Trends of 2016

The Top Home Design Trends

Looking forward to doing some interior design? Well then, you are in luck. There are ranges of design trends that we predict will reign supreme. Let’s take a moment to review what some of these styles are, and go into how they work within your home. In addition, we will consider where these things can be placed for maximum effect.

The Return Of The Accent Piece

Returning for another year in the spotlight, the accent piece comes with a slight variation. Accent pieces made by hand are taking central stage, showing off artisan work designed to provide significance and quality to any space. As always, the size, texture, and location of this accent piece is completely dependent on what you are interested in and the room you are accenting. Accent pieces can really set a room apart and are a great way to get an exclusive look at an affordable price.

Consider Encaustic Tiling

Encaustic tiles are unique in that they are made of clay instead of a glaze. The benefit of this is a slightly different texture as well as an incredible range of patterns and colouring. Encaustic tiles are finding their primary use in bathrooms, where they typically fit in quite nicely as a colourful flooring that juxtaposes against whites and muted colours of everything else.

Natural Fibre Rugs With Texture

Fine rugs are heading out in popularity. Taking their place are rugs and carpets with definable texture. Made from a number of different fibres, these carpets are typically bumpy and help to add much needed texture. They are most popularly used in living room spaces over hard wood floors.

And Of Course… Art Deco

Who can say no to art deco? Homeowners are choosing art deco designs for smaller spaces, utilizing intricate geometric patterning and a brash visual style to create a unique space for every room. When done right, art deco can transform a space, turning it into something truly unique.

Salvaged Wood

Throw away your pallet stools/cabinets and consider an alternative to the salvaged wood furniture movement. With different cuts of the tree providing a range of texture types and contrasting rough edges with smooth surfaces, salvaged wood furniture is simple to the point of basic, rugged, and fantastic looking when placed in the home. This increasingly popular form of salvaged wood is being used in home with little clutter, becoming the accent piece in any room.

If you’re ready for a home renovation, don’t hesitate to  Contact us, or give us a call at (613)727-9427 for a free in-home consultation to start the process. Whether you want to follow the trends or make a style that’s all your own, our home renovation pros can make it happen.

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Office Address:
251 Laurier Ave W, #900
Ottawa, ON K1P 5J6
Phone: (613) 727-9427
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