Livability guided this renovation of an outdated, split-level home for a family who entertains often and enjoys the outdoors: its cramped, disjointed rooms opened into a cohesive whole, tied together by colour and texture.

The lower level had no real connection to the backyard pool; a new opening in the exterior wall and a sliding glass door resolved that, while a cramped in-law suite, kitchenette included, became a bar and hangout room, finished in watery-hued and graphic tiles. That sensibility extends into the laundry room, where alternating matte and glossy tiles read like blades of grass catching the light.

On the main level, the kitchen was remodelled and opened to the dining room by removing the wall between them. A textured backsplash gives the grey-and-white space depth, while custom millwork keeps it organized without clutter — among its details, a wine cabinet fitted with diagonal shelving. Open treads and a glass railing define the new staircase connecting the split levels, lending the home a feeling of lightness.

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