SLEEK & SOPHISTICATED A Caseta by Lutron lighting system, speakers hidden in the ceiling and the window coverings are all touchless and automatic, controlled by an app.
It’s a dream job for a contractor when a client asks for the best of everything and is prepared to pay the price. That was the plan for the primary suite in this 20-year-old north London home on McGarrell Drive.
It was time for the bedroom, closet and ensuite to receive an update, and the owners sought a major upgrade to those rooms as well.
“They wanted it next level, ultraluxury, with all the bells and whistles,” says Greg Hassall, Founder and President of Riverside Construction. “They called us, we did some work in their basement first, and then this project.”
The bathroom wasn’t a horror show but it was bland and dated, with chunky furnishings and fussy finishes. It’s been transformed into a modern showpiece, sleek and sophisticated. It falls more in line with the way the owners live.
“There was a really high level of detail in this bathroom,” adds Simon McTurk, Construction Manager and Quality Control Specialist at Riverside. “We worked closely with the designer (Vanessa Cosgrove of Mosaic Design), the clients and the trades on site to make it happen.”
The result is more than simply stunning. It is that but it’s also futureproof, with a minimum of switches and other clutter but maximum functionality. And it’s all as effortless as possible to enjoy.
“The lighting is a Caseta by Lutron system,” explains McTurk, “so it’s all connected to an app. And there’s audio. We made all those pieces work while hiding the mechanicals in a way that didn’t disrupt the finish.”
“The tub has integrated speakers,” says Hassall. “Speakers are also hidden in the ceiling.” Sound, lighting and even the window coverings are touchless and automatic. Sometimes these high-end components take a bit more time to install, but Hassell says they’re always worth it in the end.
As a luxury renovation company, Riverside has plenty of experience working with premium materials and items.
A SWEET ENSUITELuxe touches included atwo-person Jacuzzi, heatedceramic flooring, a toilet closet,a towel warmer and adramatic light fixture overthe double vanity.
“No matter how many of these you’ve done,” says Hassell, “the products are always a little bit different. So, there’s more time rifling through the manual than with ordinary installs. There are more things to be aware of when you’re working with such high-end products.”
The new sleek HanStone quartz countertop made by Sloan Stone is integrated into a beautiful floating cabinet with drawers.
The heated two-person Jacuzzi tub is framed by textured tile walls. The heated flooring is tiled in a ceramic that mimics concrete, from the same collection as the wall, sourced at Centura Tile.
There’s a towel warmer and a statement light fixture to, “add luxury,” says Cosgrove. Another dramatic fixture hangs like functional art over the vanity.
It’s eye-catching but not distracting in the contemporary space.
Whether they’re for keeping up with the news or watching a favourite show while enjoying a soak, TVs were installed in two locations flush with the wall and surrounded by tile.
“That involved a lot of detailed planning and precision,” says McTurk. No walls were moved so they worked within the existing footprint. When we think of luxury, we tend to imagine extra space in which to move around freely. Here, that presented challenges, especially once the client expressed the desire for a shower, “as big as a car wash.”
“In this case, the toilet is in its own separate room,” Hassell points out, “which is a great feature but it also shrinks the space.”
Cosgrove says they delivered every item on the checklist, including the huge, luxurious shower featuring glass from Stylistic Glass & Mirror. At approximately four feet by six feet it doesn’t quite qualify as a car wash, but it can easily accommodate a golf cart in need of a rinse.
“The steam shower features smoked glass for privacy, two full walls of body jets, dual rainfall showerheads, and a 27” flush-mount ceiling rainfall fixture for a spa level experience,” Cosgrove says. All of the fixtures were supplied by Aqualuxe Canada.
Previously an imposing, angular vanity took up precious floor space, offering minimal bottom clearance for cleaning. There was just enough room to gather dust and lose a lipstick dropped by mistake to the dark depths underneath.
The heated two-person Jacuzzi tub is framed by textured tile walls.
The new sleek HanStone quartz countertop made by Sloan Stone is integrated into a beautiful floating cabinet with drawers. It offers as much storage with far better access for cleaning. Plumbing is hidden in the wall to keep it from interfering with the drawers. The top is all one piece with integrated sinks and no visible drain.
A CAREFUL BALANCE Interesting textures play off sleek finishes while moody and romantic elements are balanced with adjustable lighting everywhere it might be needed.
“There’s a slope down in the stone toward the wall and a trough at the back that the water runs into,” Hassell says.
When it came to choosing colours and vibe for the renovation, Cosgrove says the goal was, “dark, moody and romantic, yet inviting and effortlessly livable.”
In a word: drama. She chose a deep grey for the bedroom walls: Benjamin Moore’s Iron Mountain. She also designed a picture frame wall detail for depth behind the headboard. Cosgrove created texture and mood overhead as well.
“A tray ceiling with cove lighting introduces architectural interest and allows lighting to set the mood,” Cosgrove says. “An upholstered bed with layered bedding, paired with floor-to-ceiling motorized drapes, brings warmth, texture and contrast.”
A FUNCTIONAL CLOSET Wire shelving and rods were replaced with tall cabinetry that keeps folded items tucked away, with distinct sections with recessed lighting for excellent visibility.
In the bedroom they installed a custom TV wall with integrated cabinetry from London Kitchen Studio, including under cabinet lighting. It’s the kind of room one wants to linger in after waking, with a new built-in coffee bar. And for practicality, they incorporated a custom laundry cabinet.
The way the walk-in closet was originally organized with wire shelving and rods wasn’t keeping up with the couple’s needs. There were his and hers areas but not enough space for either one’s clothes.
Now the space houses distinct sections for each person’s wardrobe and the overstuffed look is a distant memory. Gorgeous tall cabinetry tucks folded items away and there’s better visibility throughout.
“There’s fully dimmable lighting,” Cosgrove explains about the recessed lights overhead, “and motion-activated interior lights behind every door.”
Like the bedroom and ensuite, comfort is paramount in the closet as well. Heated tile flooring will conquer any chill acquired while changing clothes.
Cosgrove describes the result of their efforts as, “an intimate retreat that truly reflects the lifestyle of its owners.” Golf cart not included. •
KATHY RUMLESKI is a journalist and writer based in London for more than 20 years. Her award-winning work has appeared in newspapers, magazines and on media websites across the country and beyond.
