Westboro
With clever design and a tight budget, this compact home was transformed into a bright, flexible space for a young family of four. We expanded living areas, improved light, and created zones that evolve as the kids grow—balancing play, privacy, and family connection
Client Testimonial
When Mark and I began planning a major renovation in the fall of 2021, we had our young daughter and a new baby on the way—and were quickly outgrowing our small war-time home. The one-and-a-half storey layout presented challenges: a narrow, winding staircase, tight doorways, and awkward angles made both movement and furnishing difficult. While the two bedrooms were a reasonable size, the sloped ceilings and irregular closet placements limited their usability.
A few years earlier, we had renovated the bathroom—thanks to a front shed dormer that provided some precious ceiling height—and added a bright playroom/solarium at the back. Those two spaces hinted at the potential we hoped to unlock throughout the rest of the house. We had a wish-list and a realistic budget (being married to an electrician certainly helped on that front!), and our next step was to find the right designer to guide us through it.
A friend recommended Peter Valiquet and Design Valley. Within days, Peter and Brian were at our home, asking thoughtful questions and diving right into the Design Development stage before the holidays. From the beginning, the collaboration felt easy and natural. Each draft was carefully considered and beautifully presented, and we were always given time to think and reflect—something I really appreciated.
The transformation that followed exceeded all expectations. By adding two full-length shed dormers across the front and back, we raised the ceiling height throughout the second floor, turning cramped into comfortable. Suddenly, we had two proper kids’ bedrooms, a second full bathroom, an open staircase with abundant natural light, and even a laundry room upstairs—a total game changer.
Over the garage, we added a new principal bedroom with vaulted ceilings, a walk-in closet, and access to the second bathroom, which now serves as our ensuite. Downstairs, the changes were just as dramatic: a spacious new kitchen, a cozy banquette dining area, and opened-up walls that made the entire main floor feel bigger, brighter, and more connected.
We are so grateful to Brian and Peter for bringing our forever home to life. The flow of the house, the light, the thoughtful use of space—it’s all exactly what we hoped for and more. We could never have imagined this transformation without them.
