When friends come into Kevin Brunton’s southeast London bungalow today, they can’t believe it’s the same house where he grew up and they spent time as kids. The ‘60s-era home has become a 21st-century showcase, thanks to a major overhaul by Covenant Construction, spearheaded by Craig and Bonnie Hardy.

“It’s a whole new house,” Brunton says. “It feels so much more spacious.” And it perfectly reflects his tastes and personality.

In the original home a doorway from the garage led to a narrow galley kitchen and stairs to the basement.

A full wall separated the kitchen from a front living room. This entire area was gutted to create a wide-open living space.

The kitchen is anchored by a large island. Granite counters are complemented by a glass-and-slate backsplash, while stainless steel appliances and light grey custom cabinets, constructed by Inspired Woodworks, a sister company to Covenant, complete the updated ambiance.

The focal point of the adjacent living room is a floor-to-ceiling porcelain tile fireplace with media centre.

The basement stairway from the garage was removed and a new extra-wide staircase constructed from the foyer. Two of three main-floor bedrooms were combined to create a master suite and space taken from one of those was used to accommodate the stairway.

Vinyl plank flooring, resembling this area, blending with the wood in the island base and the matching trim on the staircase and in cabinets bracketing the fireplace.hardwood, was installed throughout this area, blending with the wood in the island base and the matching trim on the staircase and in cabinets bracketing the fireplace.

In the lower level, Covenant constructed an ultimate man cave for Brunton. He envisioned this space as a gathering place for friends. Its central feature is a bar including a two-tier counter with seating, ledge stone cladding and shelving fabricated with industrial pipe. The industrial pipe feature was replicated, on a larger scale, to create additional shelving for a recreation room entertainment centre.

This level also includes a bathroom, expanded to include a shower, and a large home office/den, space created by moving the furnace and air conditioning units to a central closet beneath the stairway.

Covenant also played a role in creating the décor, as co-owner Bonnie Hardy helped source new custom furnishings as well as artwork, including pieces to match Brunton’s framed sports jerseys mounted on the basement walls.

“It’s great that we can supply a full range of services, from design to décor,” Hardy says. “I really enjoyed working with Kevin on those aspects.”

Brunton says the project turned out even better than he expected and he wouldn’t change a thing.