If you’re planning to renovate, you need to do your research and a great place to start is the 2023 Reno Tour presented by the Greater Ottawa Home Builders’ Association (GOHBA).
The annual tour is a showcase of renovation projects by some of Ottawa’s top renovators and suppliers, letting you visit in person to see the craftsmanship of those who did the work and quiz them on the project and their services.
“It’s like Pinterest come to life!” says Stephanie Haw of tour participant Amsted Design-Build. “And it’s a chance to get a sense for several high-quality renovators in the area. All in one shot you can meet some of the team, see their work on display, and learn more about whether one of these companies is right for any upcoming projects you may have.”
Now in its ninth year, Reno Tour is returning to an in-person format this year after the pandemic forced it to go virtual the past three years. There will be seven homes to see on Oct. 1 between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. Afterwards, the homes (plus an eighth bonus project) can be toured virtually via immersive 3D walk-throughs at RenoTour.ca.
Projects range from kitchen updates to whole-home renovations and sustainable building done by:
- Amsted Design-Build
- ARTium Design Build
- GoodStory
- Lagois Design-Build-Renovate
- Laurysen Kitchens
- RND Construction
- Spectrum Kitchen & Bath Design
“There’s nothing like seeing a renovation with your own eyes, where you can feel yourself in the space and know whether you want something similar for your own home,” says GOHBA’s executive director, Jason Burggraaf. “It’s been great to see the support and enthusiasm to bring this back in person. I’m hoping a few will take on the challenge to visit all seven homes like I plan to.”
The tour is a fundraiser for Habitat for Humanity Greater Ottawa. Tickets are $10 each and can be purchased online or at either of Habitat’s ReStore locations: 768 Belfast Rd. at Ottawa Train Yards or 3 Iber Rd. in Stittsville.
“We are thrilled to be partnering again with the Greater Ottawa Home Builders’ Association for the annual RenoMark Reno Tour, especially as the event is back in person this year,” says Kristen Holinsky, Habitat’s interim CEO. “As a long-time partner, GOHBA recognizes the vital need for affordable housing in the city, and proceeds from this year’s Reno Tour will support Habitat Greater Ottawa as we continue our work alongside local families to access safe, secure and affordable housing. We’re sure participants will be inspired by the beautifully renovated homes at this year’s Reno Tour. Also, be sure to say ‘hi’ to our Habitat volunteers and partner families who will be present at each of the seven homes.”
Here’s a peek at the projects on the 2023 Reno Tour.
Amsted: whole-home renovation
This project is a transformation that created a forever home for the owner, gracefully updating the space and vastly improving functionality to allow her to age in place. It was reimagined within the original footprint, gaining space on the main floor for an expanded kitchen, new office and improved deck layout.
Upstairs, the hallway was widened, walk-in closets were created for each bedroom and a second home office was added.
ARTium: main-floor transformation
The footprint of this home largely stayed the same, but ARTium removed a half wall and stippled ceilings then brought in modern features, cabinets, built-ins, hardwood flooring, fireplace and paint colours to “breathe a whole new life into this home,” says office manager Lindsay Dods.
“We chose this home for the tour because we feel customers can relate to this renovation. It was naturally a beautiful and bright home, however, partial walls, darker colours, tiled floors and a dated kitchen provided a wonderful opportunity for our customers to modernize the feel and function and really love their home again.”
The renovation included a whole new kitchen, living room, dining room, laundry, front entrance, den and powder room.
GoodStory: whole-home renovation
A challenging full gut and rebuild was able to re-use the existing footprint to take advantage of old setbacks, a vestige from the early 1900s that allowed construction along the property line and meant that GoodStory could include a two-car driveway and one of the most spacious backyards found in Hintonburg.
The intensive 14-month renovation spared no detail, encompassing new subfloors, joists, insulation, electrical, HVAC, flooring, roof, windows, drywall, exterior siding, a designer-led interior that maximizes space, and a meticulously landscaped backyard, turning a neglected property into a beautifully contemporary home.
Lagois: Net Zero Ready renovation
These homeowners had been in their home since the 1980s and it was finally time for the now-empty nesters to modernize it and create a home where they could age in place. They wanted it to be spacious, efficient and comfortable, with a good flow and lots of natural light. Sustainability was also a key factor.
The Lagois team opened up walls, removed dropped sections of flooring for smoother transitions, widened doors, revamped the kitchen and ensuite, and created a new building envelope to elevate the home to achieve a Net Zero Ready Reno label.
“In a society that is very conscious of energy usage and greenhouse gas emissions, we felt it is important to show people that they can transform a home they already love into a well-built, beautiful home while improving energy efficiency,” says Lagois president Jacob Kirst.
Laurysen: whole-home renovation
Although it’s called Laurysen Kitchens, the company is about much more than that, says CEO Caroline Castrucci, which is why she chose this project to feature on the tour.
The home is an example of a small reno that morphed into a whole-home remodel to update and personalize the home for a downsizing couple who wanted to prioritize storage and wall display space.
The home was gutted and renovated from top to bottom with a new contemporary kitchen boasting a vaulted ceiling and details such as motorized doors/drawers and radiant floor heating. The basement, meanwhile, is the ultimate man cave, designed to accommodate a 13-foot circular couch and house an extensive collection of sports memorabilia.
Other rooms renovated include the principal suite, laundry room, powder room, dining room, front study and garage entrance, along with the bedroom loft and main bath upstairs.
RND: custom details
Although technically a new home, RND’s entry in the tour this year still shows the features, finishes and workmanship that the company employs in its renovations. It’s also the home of the company’s founder and a rare opportunity to see what a renovator builds for himself.
It showcases unusual features such as solar panels integrated into the exterior wall, a secondary dwelling unit in the basement with separate entrance, space under the garage finished as living space and an elevator for aging in place.
It also includes typical RND elements, such as a meticulous mechanical room and sustainable building practises (the home is certified Net Zero).
Spectrum #1: kitchen renovation
This renovation transforms a small, dark kitchen, removing a wall to create a large cooking and eating area that emphasizes function and storage and connects to the dining room.
A palette of pewter and gold (champagne bronze) creates a timeless yet updated look.
“So much light comes into the space,” says Spectrum design consultant Melissa Miriguay.
Spectrum #2: main-floor renovation
This main-floor transformation of a 1960s home saw walls removed, entryways widened and a new flow to the home, with significant attention given to the revamped kitchen as well as adding built-ins for storage and organization throughout.
An unexpected feature is the two — yes, two! — islands in an L-shaped kitchen, offering an unusual solution for the homeowners.
This project is available as a virtual tour only.