Hampstead Hideaway Project
Sometimes the best way to create more space isn’t to add more of it.
When our clients first came to us, the mandate was focused on the second floor. They wanted to create a spacious primary bedroom with a walk-in closet and ensuite, while giving their two boys bedrooms they could comfortably grow into.
Before meeting us, they had already explored a major extension with several professionals. The proposed solution would add square footage to the second floor, but it would also significantly alter the architecture of the home.
After our first consultation, we saw another possibility.
We were confident we could rework the existing footprint to give the family what they needed without expanding the home at all. By reconsidering the layout and making better use of the space that was already there, we were able to accommodate everything on their wish list.
And what started as a second-floor renovation quickly became something much bigger.
RETHINKING THE ENTIRE HOME
Once we solved the upstairs, it became clear there was an opportunity to make the rest of the house work better too. Hampstead Hideaway evolved into a full renovation across all three levels, allowing us to improve how the family moved through and used their home while completely updating the interiors.
We especially loved this approach because the house already had so much charm from the outside. Rather than changing its architecture, we wanted the interiors to feel like a natural extension of it: warm, timeless and full of character, but designed for the way this family actually lives today.
Throughout the home, we introduced natural wood, soft neutral tones, traditional detailing and thoughtful architectural moments that make the new spaces feel as though they have always belonged here.
CREATING CONNECTION
One of our favourite details is the custom wood and fluted-glass doors connecting the home office and den to the kitchen. They allow light to travel between the spaces while still providing separation when needed.
We carried the same stained wood into the opening between the kitchen and dining room, creating a visual connection between the rooms and adding warmth against the softer palette throughout the home.
The office itself was designed specifically around our client’s lifestyle. As a dad who often takes work calls in the evenings, he wanted a dedicated workspace without feeling completely removed from the rest of the family.
The solution was a multifunctional den with a workstation, TV area and curved sofa that fits perfectly within the room. With the doors open, he remains connected to the activity in the kitchen. When privacy is needed, the doors can simply be closed.
Elsewhere, we found another opportunity to make the home work harder without compromising the design.
Custom cabinetry in the family room conceals the entrance to the children’s playroom. When the doors are closed, the wall reads as beautiful built-in game storage, with no indication that another room sits behind it. Open them, and the two spaces become directly connected.
It’s a detail we love because it captures so much of what Hampstead Hideaway was about: making every square foot work better while keeping the design intentional and beautiful.
In the end, the clients didn’t need a bigger house. They needed a better use of the one they already loved.
By rethinking the existing footprint rather than immediately adding to it, we were able to transform all three levels, preserve the charm of the original home and create spaces that will continue to work for this family for years to come.
Sometimes, the best transformation comes from looking at what you already have a little differently.
View the full project on our portfolio or contact us today to kick-off your dream home remodel.
