It’s had to believe that this was once a 1950’s decaying and sinking Beach House. It’s new incarnation is nothing short of opulent.

The exterior immediately awes. All three levels have been restructured into an outdoor functional dwelling space. Here, the clients can relax or entertain; what a spectacular setting for a dinner party. The deck area are a sun-bather’s dream, as are the pampering hot tub and the outdoor shower that’s great for a quick rinse after a morning dip in the sea.

Leading in from the main deck is the appropriately named “Great Room”; a unique open area that encompasses a kitchen, bar and dining area, cozy fireplace parlour, and swanky media center.

It is a visionary living and recreational space, incorporating state of the art technology, energy efficiency and green standards melded with local artistry that seamlessly blends into the natural beauty of the beach front. More than simply a Tsawwassen beach house, it is a retreat getaway destination, and no surprise – a national award winner.

About the Builder

BDR Artisan Construction was started 10 years ago by Brent Repin with his brother Darren. With almost 20 years of industry expertise, Brent Repin has taken high-end and complex renovations in the Greater Vancouver and Whistler corridor to the next level with BDR’s unique and timeless custom homes.

The construction management firm oversees all elements, from design, to budgeting to constructing, ensuring that the client’s personal style and taste are always reflected through impeccable results. The BDR Artisan patented Detailed Budgeting and Multi-Step approach system, which ensures that projects stay on budget and flow smoothly without interruption from one phase to the next, is one aspect that sets the company apart from competitors.

BDR Artisan has won 4 Gold Georgie Awards, including the coveted Best Residential Renovator in B.C., 2 more National Sam Awards for Best Kitchen Renovation and Best Whole House Renovation in Canada for 2005. BDR Artisan’s preeminent status in the high-end building and renovation industry is proven time and again by their award winning work.

This ranch-style bungalow, located in the picturesque town of Oro Medonte in Simcoe County was a labour of love that became both the dream and stunning show home of the builder-owner. The 1900 square-feet residence on 3 acres was constructed in 1975. This was all too apparent when first purchased, right down to the kitschy details. After four months, the interior of the home was completely re-built, and it took about two summers to complete the outdoor area that included a beautiful in-ground pool and serene koi pond. The open concept main floor of the house perpetuated the exotic contemporary Asian-influenced style, which plays magnificently throughout the entire residence.

The whole house was gutted, the staircase was moved, and the kitchen was opened up into the family room. The old windows and doors were replaced with Jeld-Win windows and doors; several exterior doors and two bay windows added. The former, dingy two bedroom apartment in the basement was converted into a fancy new office that featured: recessed lighting, crown molding, a custom built-in bookcase under the stairs and a full wall of cabinetry. The downstairs also houses a home gym, full bathroom, and three bedrooms – perfect for overnight guests.

Ron Bowler and his wife Cheryl designed everything themselves, with Ron completing the majority of the construction. The show home has been featured in magazines as well as popular daytime show, Cityline; such kudos much deserved for the once dated structure that was truly reborn as a divine living space.

About the Builder

Ron Bowler is the Owner/ Designer / Builder of Natural Elements. He has been Helping Homeowners for over 25 years with every aspect of their Home Renovations – Inside & Out. Ron works closely with every client with the understanding that every homeowner is passionate about their home, no matter how large or small the project. His attention to detail is what keeps him in demand; first and foremost Ron prides Natural Elements on satisfying the discerning customer. As a result, the company is kept small to maintain “quality control”; Ron insists on personally working on every job with involvement in every aspect of the process of the project from the design to the building.

Not that the original 1951 home wasn’t nice, however the builder had a grander vision of a taking an average three bedroom house and recreating a 4100 square feet masterpiece. As a renovation of this caliber would cost just as much as a complete rebuild, the entire house was completely torn down, the basement dug out and hauled away to make room for a new construction that was completely customized for a prosperous Toronto family.

The original house wasn’t big enough to accommodate a family with many children. Rooms were too small, with little closet space and there was only one bathroom, and it was upstairs! The kitchen was so cramped, it wasn’t even eat-in.

In order to update and modernize this old house and build a five bedroom and baths home with a special Passover kitchen, study, family room, dining room, and spacious kitchen, the work and costs entailed would be about the same as a new build. The advantage of building from scratch was that the house could be fitted with an energy efficient heating and cooling system, new plumbing, and improved wiring. It was also be made exactly to the desired specifications of the owner and builder. The modernized house was both beautiful and functioned well its upgraded systems.

From the torn down remnants of the old house, dirt and rubble, a brand new structure was risen – bigger and better – perfect for the lively patter of young feet.

About the Builder

Gold Ribbon Homes is a design/build construction and project management company specializing in custom homes, additions, and renovations.

The homeowners used their own design to transform this circa 1860 Ontario farmhouse into a stately traditional interior with classic new kitchen. Improving the overall functionality of the kitchen was a success, but that’s just a small aspect to the finished project. The work and storage room was indeed maximized, however, the end result also re-created the overall space to be a gorgeous entertaining area that flows from cooking to eating areas. The beautiful large windows bring much light into the room, enhancing the elegant decor, making this an area that’s difficult to leave. Old world charm is brought back into an aged house, revitalizing yet retaining a quintessential, country home character.

About the Builder

Claude Heath started his own company, Heath Carpentry, in 1995 after 10 years of working with Rosewood Contracting, Rand General Contractors, and Sil-kof Renovations. The majority of his projects have been in the Leaside, Lawrence Park, and the Beaches areas in the City of Toronto. Heath Carpentry also specializes finished carpentry: intricate crown and baseboard mouldings, custom built mantels, wood paneling, windows/doors casing and specialized custom trim.

This three bedroom brick bungalow located in Georgetown, Ontario originally built in 1935 was small and cottage-like. Could higher ceilings and more room be a possibility? The answer would be a complete tear down for a new addition that would not only increase the size of the home, but also create more natural light lining space.

The new addition would provide an extra 100 square feet more to the home, flowing from the original dining area with fireplace as the new living room. Higher ceilings were created from the previous skylight and larger window and doors newly installed, would bring in much more natural light making the area an idyllic reading room by day. An important consideration for the builder was to tie in the existing structure with the new, illustrated by such details as the flooring in which case the new hardwood of the addition also ran into the existent dining area as well as the tiling in front of the fireplace of the old portion of the house.

About the Builder

Touchwood Contracting is run by owner, Michael Cragg, who was born in the Milton area, and worked with other contractors before branching off on his own. For more than ten years, he has worked in construction in the Halton and Peel region. As the head of the Touchwood Contracting, Michael Cragg prides himself on the standards of his company, never cutting costs on the materials that are ‘behind the drywall’ and just go high end on the finishes, preferring to use quality products ‘behind the drywall’ as much as for the finishes to ensure a great end result that clients can be happy with and feel confident about the longevity and durability of his work. Michael Cragg believes: “The foundation of a project is just as important as the finishes to prevent deterioration, mould, or water leakage depending on the project. It is my intention and objective to do the job right the first time to make sure it is only needs to be done one time.” For more information visit the company’s website www.twcontracting.ca.

This grand yet comfortable late 1990s house located in a sprawling neighborhood near The Forum in Duluth is a family home with growing young boys. The finishes became dated the last few years and the kitchen was no longer efficient. In fact, this family had outgrown the original kitchen and greatly needed additional room and storage. The new layout takes full advantage of the large, open space and provides a beautiful and family-friendly multi-functional environment.

About the Builder

Totally Dependable is a general contracting firm working across metro-Atlanta and areas beyond since 1987. The company is family-owned and headed by owner and president, Don Hagemeister, who has been a construction professional since the early 1970s. He has worked around the U.S., including Texas, Virginia, and Georgia.

In addition to Totally Dependable, Don owns multiple construction companies, including a custom home building partnership, a framing company, a commercial contracting company, and was a former partner in a “luxury” remodeling company specializing in large-scale renovations.

Totally Dependable Contracting, in addition to residential remodeling, also does work in the commercial and insurance restoration industries. Referrals and repeat business represent at least 80% of their annual sales totals (projected higher for 2008). Totally Dependable Contracting has won multiple regional remodeling awards including NARI and Chrysalis.