Harty House Minimal Design Remodel Project
Located in Ajax, a city on the east border of Toronto, the Harty House presented Atelier SUN with an ambitious residential renovation project. The home, erected in the 80s by a mass-production construction company, was transformed by the Toronto design studio into a minimalist, idyllic haven for its occupants.
Atelier SUN, a design studio specializing in interior architecture and design, preserved Harty House’s historical connection to the town’s local culture while bringing new life to the home’s interior design.
(Photo credit: Joel Esposito via V2com.)
The ornate design style of the 80s was evident in the home’s unrestrained and gaudy elements, including seven columns that were erected in the ground floor living area, floating, which revealed their non-load-bearing structural purpose.
(Photo credit: Joel Esposito via V2com.)
Atelier SUN worked to include most of the structural elements of the home while clearing the space of clutter to create a soothing living environment. However, they removed the seven columns.
(Photo credit: Joel Esposito via V2com.)
The front door of the Harty House opens to a wood-lined foyer with an unobtrusive nook on the left that includes a shoe rack and a small coat closet. Residents and visitors can sit and change their shoes whether they’re arriving home from a long walk or preparing to go out and romp in fresh snow.
(Photo credit: Joel Esposito via V2com.)
As an extension of the foyer, the hallway reveals a wooden, floating staircase built into the wall and illuminated by a second-floor window. The staircase is lined with a matching wood banister that supports fitted, clear glass panels.
All the spaces on the ground level share a beige ceramic tile floor designed with large rectangular tiles. The larger tiles have fewer grout lines for a more uncomplicated application, and the design naturally adds the illusion of a more spacious area for a narrow, long layout.
For this living area, the rectilinear tiles also streamline the floor’s design, creating a sleek feel. The flooring upstairs is made from wide wood planks with the same alder-wood style as the steps, walls, and trim.
Walking past the stairs reveals the living room and common area opening to the kitchen, dining area, half-bath, and mudroom, easily accessed from the spacious two-car garage. The ground floor and second floor are unified by an abundance of alder-wood-style finished walls, floors, and cabinets.
(Photo credit: Joel Esposito via V2com.)
Accents of cool hues of gray provide a gentle eye-catching contrast for the warm wood tones, and subtle ultra-thin strips of LED lights on the ceiling create a luminous setting for the interior’s soft, relaxing design.
The living area and kitchen share a central load-bearing beam finished with a natural wood surface and embellished with bronze-tinted details. The design provides an aesthetic look while removing the load-bearing responsibility assigned to the area’s walls. A common floor space connects the two living areas; one representing rest and relaxation, the living room, and the other facilitating daily activities of life.
(Photo credit: Joel Esposito via V2com.)
An entire wall of shelves, cabinets, flip-down tables, and a media nook for the TV makes it easy to keep things, a benefit that these living room remodel ideas contribute to its peaceful flow.
Behind the aptly-placed living room furniture set are sliding doors leading to the backyard, covered with sheer white panels to let in natural light while preserving privacy. The natural glow of sunlight during the day adds to the already soothing atmosphere.
(Photo credit: Joel Esposito via V2com.)
Across from the living area are the kitchen and dining area, which include a wooden pocket door matching the wooden wall paneling. The not-so-noticeable door cleverly hides the built-in pantry, a doggy wash area, and an entrance from the garage to the mudroom. All kitchen appliances were chosen with a matte, dark gray finish, and a matching faucet and sink built into the centrally-placed kitchen island.
(Photo credit: Joel Esposito via V2com.)
The island provides a work area for food prep and has a recessed bottom to place bar stools for seating. It’s a cook’s dream to have a kitchen with ample space and segregated workspaces to cook, bake and serve food while visiting with guests and family members. Off one end of the island is a stepped-down sitting area with room for four chairs for an impromptu dinner or an afternoon cup of tea.
(Photo credit: Joel Esposito via V2com.)
All the kitchen surfaces reflect a cement finish to tie in with the additional gray accents, and the counter space against the kitchen wall has a similar cement backsplash. In the center of the kitchen counter is a low-profile, electric induction stovetop with double ovens built into the cabinet space next to the refrigerator.
Each work area – food prep, cooking, and cleanup – should have adequate counter space so a cook can work efficiently, with enough clearance to move safely – Renovation, Michael W. Litchfield
There are plenty of workspaces and the ability to multi-task in the kitchen area with ample shelving and a large bay sitting area with room for a table and windows looking out to the backyard.
(Photo credit: Joel Esposito via V2com.)
The four-bedroom, three-bath second floor continues the simple design flowing from the elegant spaces on the ground floor. A spacious master bedroom includes sliding doors to a private balcony and an alcove-type space for the bed with built-in night tables and cabinets, all keeping with the same alder-wood type wood walls.
There’s a full master bath and an oversized walk-in closet with a window for natural light. An additional three-quarter community bathroom opens to the hallway, and the third bedroom at the back of the house has a bay window, a smaller walk-in closet, and a private full bathroom. A laundry closet in the hallway houses a second-floor washer and dryer with shelving and storage cabinets.
The Harty House is a prime sample of renovating an older home to reflect the modern, minimalist trends of the time while preserving the home’s local culture, function, and aesthetics. The interior’s design includes natural materials, soft, clean lighting, simple details, and superior craftsmanship.
The color schemes keep a minimal design impact and are simple, although contrasting hues provide interest. The resulting renovation created a calming, relaxing interior while keeping the home’s architectural design intact, except for a few misplaced columns.
The Team and Specifications
See more of this Harty house minimal design remodel project here.
Project Name: Harty House
Project Location: Ajax, Ontario, Canada
Architect / Designer: Atelier Sun
Team: Mark Andrew Sun, Cherie Yang, Nassila Oudahmane, Jacqueline Horne
Millworker: Gold Palace Woodworking
Stairs: D2 Woodworking
Contractor: Amazi Image
Completion date: August 2022
Photos: Joel Esposito
Area: 1700 sq. ft.
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