A Complete Home Renovation in St. Albert Designed Around Their Life
This St. Albert home had not been updated since the 1990s, and over time, the owners grew more frustrated with the awkward layout and outdated style.
This family wanted a space that reflected their style and supported how they actually lived. Their contractor invited us to join the project, knowing our construction-savvy approach to full-service design would ensure a cohesive plan for the entire home.
Now, their home is beautiful, comfortable, and far easier to live in. It has a light, bright, and airy aesthetic layered with warm textures. Each space was reimagined to make better use of the layout. Every detail was carefully chosen, and each member of the household was considered.
The Starting Point
When we first walked through the home, it was clear the layout no longer worked for the family who lived there. Like many homes built in the 1990s, its design features had not aged well.
Two sunken living rooms created unnecessary steps. The kitchen was small and dated, with a structural post that limited the room's use. Even the more practical spaces had the same challenges. The bathrooms and laundry room had tight layouts, pinch points, and inefficient use of space.
Elsewhere in the home, the same pattern continued. Several rooms had awkward layouts and were largely used for storage, including the unfinished basement. Many of the main floor rooms were closed off from one another, making this space feel disconnected and difficult to navigate.
Overall, their house felt dated and compartmentalized. The homeowners knew they needed more than a remodel. It was time to renovate the entire space and create a home that truly worked for their everyday life.
Our design strategy for this renovation project
After speaking with the family, we identified our main goals:
Remove barriers between spaces and create a more open flow from room to room.
Turn underused areas into functional spaces.
Design the kitchen around how the family gathers.
Unify their home with a light, airy aesthetic.
Remove barriers between spaces and improve flow from room to room.
First, we needed to level these transitions to create smoother movement throughout the home. Removing the different floor levels made the home feel more open and easier to navigate.
Next, we reworked the layout to make the best use of the space. For example, we reworked the entire front entrance to improve functionality. Adjusting a nearby closet created more space in the powder room, making the room feel cleaner, brighter, and far more practical.
The laundry room was expanded by borrowing space from a nearby closet, allowing us to introduce better storage and a far more functional layout.
Together, these changes opened up their home and created a layout that feels more open, practical, and easy to navigate.
Transform the basement from wasted space into valuable space.
The basement became an opportunity to create a space designed around the family's interests. They love games and reading, so the basement was designed as a flexible recreation area where the family can spend time together.
We chose an incredibly comfortable sectional - the kind you just sink into - to anchor the TV viewing space, with a console table behind to rest drinks. A small alcove was transformed into a library, the perfect cozy reading corner where you can curl up with a good book and a cup of tea.
We also created a home office for the husband, a physician. He needed a quiet home office to complete charting and other work. His new office accommodates both a desk and a treadmill, so he can multitask and walk while charting.
Instead of acting as a catch-all storage space, the basement is now just as functional as the rest of the home.
Design the new kitchen around how people gather.
Expanding the kitchen became one of the most impactful changes in the renovation. The new kitchen is significantly larger and designed for both everyday family life and entertaining.
The dining table can expand for family and friends and be shortened when it's just the three of them. We added bar stools at the island - it's the kind of spot where guests naturally gather while someone finishes cooking.
The original kitchen footprint was transformed into a butler pantry that includes a bar sink and microwave. With a secondary prep area, the main kitchen stays organized, and the dishes and prep work stay tucked out of sight.
Create a light, airy aesthetic throughout the home.
Beyond making their home functional, we also wanted it to look lighter, brighter, and airier. Together, we developed an organic simplicity aesthetic that would guide the design throughout the home.
The goal was to create spaces that feel bright and open while still being warm and comfortable. A soft, neutral palette helps their home feel airy, while natural textures add depth and interest without overwhelming the space.
Architectural details such as arches appear in several areas of the home, helping connect different rooms and reinforce a sense of continuity. We chose all the furniture, finishes, and lighting using the same principle: simple forms, thoughtful layering, and materials that bring warmth and character.
Ideas to Consider For Edmonton Area Homeowners
Design for each family member (even the cat!).
One of the most important lessons from this renovation was the value of designing around the people who actually live in the home. Every space was planned with the family’s interests and routines in mind.
Consider the basement. Rather than creating a single-purpose room, the basement now offers different zones where each family member can spend time doing what they enjoy.
Practical choices were made throughout that made everyday living easier. For example, we chose 100% wool rugs that are easier to clean after spills, pets or just everyday life.
We even thought about the family’s cat. A discreet cat door was added to create easy access to the litter box area, making it more convenient while keeping it out of sight. We also carefully selected furniture fabrics, choosing materials that are less appealing to cats.
Simple does not mean boring when it comes to design.
This project shows how a simple palette does not have to mean plain. With the right balance of materials, lighting, and architectural details, simplicity can feel rich, layered, and inviting.
The homeowners originally imagined choosing white finishes throughout the home. As the design developed, they saw how layering materials, textures, and subtle colour variations could create something far more interesting while still maintaining the light, airy feeling they wanted.
Lighting also plays an important role in shaping your home's atmosphere. With layered lighting, a room can feel bright during the day, while creating a softer atmosphere in the evening when everyone is winding down.
Think ahead for future use and resale value.
You want to think about how your renovation will function in the years to come.
In this project, removing the sunken floors not only improved the flow of the home today, but also made the space easier to navigate as the homeowners grow older.
Similarly, the butler pantry includes a coffee station. While the current homeowners are not coffee drinkers, small considerations like this help ensure their home is appealing for future owners.
The goal is to create a design that works well for the homeowners today, while still feeling timeless and practical many years down the road.
A complete home renovation plan makes everything easier.
One of the biggest advantages of working with a full-service designer is having a full plan for the entire home. We handled everything - from reworking the layout to selecting finishes, furniture, fabrics, and lighting. Our approach ensures that each decision supports the overall feel and functionality of the space.
For these homeowners, this made for a surprisingly simple and stress-free renovation process. Rather than sourcing furniture piece by piece, the selections were presented as a coordinated package.
At one point, the homeowner laughed and said, “I can’t believe I just picked all the furniture for my house in two hours.”
That moment perfectly captured the value of full-service design. Instead of months of second-guessing and endless shopping, the family could trust us to make thoughtful design choices and keep the project moving.
Trust EBO Design for your home renovation in the Edmonton area
A full home renovation is about more than making a space look beautiful. It is about creating a home that truly works for the people who live there.
At EBO Design, we approach each renovation with both design expertise and construction knowledge. Our full-service design takes every detail into account, allowing you to have a smoother, more stress-free renovation experience.
If you are planning a renovation in the Edmonton area, working with a designer who understands both construction and design can make the entire process smoother. Reach out to our team today to find out how you can make your home a place that truly works for you.
Love the "organic simplicity" of this St. Albert transformation ?
Explore our full gallery to see how we balanced light, airy aesthetics with warm, natural textures to create a space designed entirely around this family's life.
