EPISODE 11: UNDERPINNING OUR BASEMENT - RENOVATING MY VICTORIAN HOME

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Lots of progress has been made sine our last episode including the completion of our navy blue kitchen renovation!

Renovating my Toronto Victorian Home - Episode 11!

What a trip around the sun it has been! This time last year Adam and I were nearing the end of our Toronto home renovations and putting the finishing touches on our Toronto Victorian home. Since then we have moved in, planned our destination wedding, and got married in Tuscany at the beautiful Abbazia di San Galgano Abbey before jetting off on our Croatia honeymoon.

To add a cherry on the figurative cake, Adam and I came back from our honeymoon to find out I was pregnant!

It was a little to early to share our big news with everyone here and on social media, and with Christmas around the corner, we decided to wait to tell our families first before sharing this amazing news with all you.

With that being said, this new discovery motivated us to start preparing for phase 3 (the final phase of our home renovation) - basement underpinning!

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We had to clear the front yard of our house (which included the removal of our beloved smoke bush) to prepare for phase 3 of our renovation, underpinning the basement. Don’t worry, I have plans to bring the smoke bush back!

What is underpinning?

Underpinning a house is when you reinforce or strengthen the foundation’s structure by excavating small, spread-out, portioned-out sections, before filling them back in with concrete. House underpinning can be required for a number of reason like:

  1. When the original foundation is no longer strong enough to hold the house and is in need of serious repair.

  2. If you want to increase the capacity of the existing foundation to support another story.

  3. To dig out the basement so as to lower the basement floor and achieve a higher ceiling height (as in our case).

How much does basement underpinning cost?

The cost of underpinning varies depending on the state of your current foundation walls, the square footage of your basement, how deep you want to go with the underpin/how much you want to lower your basement floor and how much additional work (i.e. waterproofing, installing radiant floors, main drain replacement/lower, additional plumbing rough-ins) is required.

We received a range of quotes for our basement between $55,000 - $80,000 but in generally, it is said that you should budget for $80 a square foot (as an average) to underpin and dig out your basement two feet.

In order to set ourselves up for success the first thing we needed to do was call our Toronto structural engineer Ken Davis. Having previously worked with K H Davis Engineering on the first two phases of our Victorian home renovation, we knew he was the perfect man for the job.

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Our Toronto Structural Engineer Ken Davis doing a site inspection during the underpinning of our basement.

Since 1999 Ken has worked on over 3000 residential projects and has a great reputation for helping homeowners and contractors alike achieve their design and renovation goals. From new builds to additions, laneway home and garden suits, K H Davis Engineering can do it all. He has also worked on many century homes in Toronto, including many Victorian homes like ours, which has provided him with a knowledge base we are always keen to leverage.

A couple site visits and a few measurements later, we were well on our way to finalizing revised plans! In the meantime, we had enough ironed our to start reaching out to contractors that specialize in basement underpinning and waterproofing in Toronto to solicit quotes.


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Toronto home renovations - renovating a victorian home - floating shelves with lights - navy kitchen with slim shaker cabinets and la cornue range - la cornue kitchens

Our kitchen from Domani Design Group is finally complete after the installation of our range vent cover and under floating shelf lighting!

As we waited for underpinning quotes to trickle in, we were able to turn our attention over to finishing off the kitchen.

Since the last episode of our home renovation series we still had two items to check off before the kitchen was FINALLY finished. The first was get our electrician back in to install the last of the lights, and the second was to install the range vent cover. Thankfully we were able to complete both items with a month to spare before Christmas which meant Adam and I could get familiar with our new stove and practice our menu before hosting our family and friends for Christmas dinner. Having now spent a few months putting it to the test, Adam and I are so happy with our kitchen from Domani Design Group. Not only is it beautiful, but very well made. Every door and cabinet is soft close, I have more storage than I know what to do with, the layout is designed with functionality in mind and we absolutely love how much counter space we have!

Needless to say, celebrating our first Christmas at home was absolutely magical. Adam and I splurged on a 9 foot Fraser Fir and rented tables and chairs for our 20 person Christmas dinner. Not only were we able to show off our newly renovated house for the first time to many of our family members, but we were also able to share our pregnancy news with them, which made the whole season even more enchanting.

Following the holiday season, we received a call from our structural engineer Ken Davis to discuss our architectural drawings for the basement. It was concluded after a soil test that we would need to take a hybrid approach to our basement renovation that would involve underpinning about 75% of our basement and bench footing the remaining 25%. Given the sandy consistency of our basement and the fact that our neighbours house on one side is only 6 inches away (and their basement was slighting shorter than our current basement), there was a concern that underpinning that 25% section could undermine our neighbours foundation wall. To ensure everyone’s safety and the integrity of both houses, going with a hybrid underpinning and bench footing approach was the best option.

What is bench footing?


Unlike underpinning where you have to dig under the foundation wall, a bench footing is another way to support a foundation wall and lower the floor in your basement by creating a ledge or ‘bench’ out of concrete that sits along the existing wall. The downside to a bench footing approach is that it encroaches on your usable space. In our case, we have plans to build storage cabinets over-top of our bench footing as a way to not only hide the bench but make use of the space above it.

In addition to the hybrid underpinning / bench footing approach we also decided to turn one of the existing windows into an egress window. This would allow us to have a safety exit, should we ever need it and although we don’t have plans to rent out the basement or put a permanent bedroom down there, it’s good to have in case of an emergency. Given we are in the midst of doing a big renovation as well, there is probably no better time than now to action installing one.

What is a basement Egress window?

A basement Egress window provides a quick and safe emergency exit for your home, and an unobstructed opening from which someone can escape from. This means that a window, large enough for a human body to fit through (see Egress Window Size specifications based on your municipality code) must be able to open from the inside so that an escape can be made via an Egress window well or clearing in front of the window.

Once we were all in agreement regarding the best course of action, Ken was able to submit our architectural drawings to the city and get us our permit within two week! Remarkable!

Toronto blogs - Renovating a victorian home - Toronto home renovations - Basement Renovations and underpinning a house by ICYReno to lower floor in basement - basement waterproofing contractor Toronto

Allow me to introduce our Toronto Basement Underpinning & Waterproofing Contractor - ICYReno! #Partner

Meet our Toronto Basement Underpinning & Waterproofing Contractor

As we waited for our underpinning permit to be approved, Adam and I settled on an underpinning and basement waterproofing contractor in Toronto. Enter ICYReno, a fully insured and licensed waterproofing and underpinning company with over 10 years of experience. Not only have they helped homeowners across the GTA lower their basement floor but they are pros when it comes to interior and exterior waterproofing, back water valve and sump pump installation, drainage systems, concrete work, and more. They also came with an impressive endorsement from our structural engineer who had overseen a few of the basement underpins they had worked on in the past and was impressed by their quality of work. And if that wasn’t enough to seal the deal, their price was also one of the most competitive!

Within a week of receiving our permit, ICYReno began work on our basement. Before they could begin underpinning the foundation, they first had to demo the remaining drywall, stripping back all the layers until it was bare bones. Once complete they divided up the basement into small sections and began excavating and reinforcing each section, pouring new concrete footings before moving on.

Now, two weeks into our Toronto basement renovation it’s clear that ICYReno not only runs a tight ship with well organized bin drop offs and concrete pouring schedules, but their crew is highly trained and hard working. Having completed 50% of the underpin in just two weeks, it’s clear that they need no micro managing and can take care of everything from scheduling site visits with our structural engineer Ken Davis to booking appointments and sharing progress photos with our city inspector. They also sometimes work on Saturday, and given that I’m currently 7 months pregnant and ICYReno promised a 4-6 week timeline for completion, I appreciate their outstanding work ethic! Time is of the essence after all and at this rate they may even be done early! *fingers crossed*


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Meanwhile, I have been gathering inspiration for the basement. Given that we have to move our upstairs office into the basement to make room for our future nursery, we plan to divide the basement up into three major sections, a closed off front office that could double as a spill over bedroom should we need it, a larger open concept recreational room with a wet bar and perhaps a small play area where we can attempt to keep all the kids toys contained, and a conjoined bathroom-laundry room at the back where we can finally install our washer and dryer (which have been sitting in our living room for almost a year now)! YAY!

FUTURE FINISHED BASEMENT INSPIRATION

A few additional things we were able to check off our ‘To Do’ list since the last episode was install some new light fixtures on the main floor, finish off the powder room, make progress on the upstairs hidden linen closet and order new windows for the basement.

Next up on our list of things to tackle: prep the nursery for the baby’s arrival (I have plans to install a feature mural on one wall and paint the other walls), finish the underpinning, rough-in drains for the basement bathroom/laundry room and wet bar, install weeping tile and complete interior basement waterproofing, install radiant floors, dig and landscape for a new basement egress window, pour a new concrete slab floor and install a new basement egress window. Hopefully while this is all happening I can also source some tiles for our future basement bathroom!

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Basement renovation in progress….

Although Adam and I are not putting any pressure on ourselves to finish the basement before the baby arrives, it would be nice to have it as a functional space to work from and do laundry in. As much as I love visiting my parents every weekend to do laundry, it’s only going to get tougher once a newborn is in the picture. Anyways, that is all I have to share with you in this episode and blog post. If you have any questions about renovating a Victorian home, what it’s like to live in Toronto or need recommendations for Toronto contractors, hit me up in the comments below!

Before I sign off, I’d also like to say a big thank you to K H Davis Engineering and ICYReno for partnering with me on this project. I’m so excited to be working with such reputable companies on our Toronto basement renovations but want to reiterate that, like always, all opinions remain my own.

Until next time,
- Soheila



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Home renovations in Toronto - A Toronto Victorian Home - kitchen renvovation reveal and underpinning foundation in basement

2024 KITCHEN TRENDS TO LOVE

Kitchen Trends 2023 2024 - skinny Shaker cabinet door - calacatta turquoise marble custom range hood, backsplash and countertops - credit hunt-architecture- photography by Louisa and Fyodor

Credit: Hunt Architecture, Photography by Louisa and Fyodor

2024 Kitchen Trends

If you love design as much as I do, keeping up with interior design trends and making predictions for the future energizes you and since the kitchen continues to evolve beyond mere functionality into a space that seamlessly blends style, sustainability, and innovation, I thought why not dedicate a whole blog post to up and coming trends for such an important space! Arguably the room in your house that gets the most foot traffic, technological advancements, eco-conscious design, and a growing emphasis on personalized culinary experiences, continues to define how we interact with and perceive this vital space in our home. From multifunctional layouts to smart kitchen appliances, what better way to celebrate yet another year around the sun than by exploring 2024 Kitchen Trends! And don’t be surprised if there are a lots of repeat Kitchen trends from 2023! Some of my previous prediction have really take hold!

2024 kitchen design trends - biophillic design - kitchen island made of natural wood and cabinets cladded in pink marble - source pinterest

An example of how Biophilic Design can seamlessly integrates the beauty of nature into our kitchen spaces - source Pinterest

Organic Tones

While the concept of Biophilic design continues to flourish, seamlessly integrating the beauty and tranquility of nature into our kitchen spaces continues to take centre stage. A notable shift in warm, organic kitchens can easily be seen as we move away form heavy lacquers, white kitchens and glossy paints towards a more natural, grain forward aesthetic.

Natural woods, particularly white oak, Alder wood and natural walnut have become increasingly prevalent in modern home design trends, especially when it comes to cabinetry. The distinct rift cut grains of thee woods add a touch of sophistication and a contemporary edge to the overall aesthetic while antique bronze hardware and zellige tile backsplashes continue to be popular complimenting design choices.

Designers seem to be focusing on adding wood and wood-look materials through cabinetry, flooring, and architectural accents like wooden beams to bring warmth to both modern and traditional settings. Neutral wood tone like white oak don’t feel heavy as other traditional wood species making it wonderful to incorporate and refreshing. People are spending more time at home so they want their homes to feel intimate and cozy.

kitchen trends 2023 2024 - quiet luxury - black kitchen cabinets with wood grain - modern kitchen design

Inky black cabinetry with grain line textures are an understated modern look that exudes a timeless elegance! - Source: Pinterest

Quiet Luxury

Perhaps the biggest buzz word of 2023, ‘quiet luxury’ has the design world transcending from ‘over the top opulence’ to ‘understated elegance’. In 2024, this trend continues to redefine the notion of luxury, favouring subtlety over ostentation and embracing a minimalist approach that exudes sophistication and thoughtful craftsmanship. Characterized by beautifully made cabinetry and muted, understated neutrals colours 'luxe' elements tend to pair well with gold fixtures and marble countertops while also leaning into highly elegant, polished and refined finishes.

Additionally, monochromatic, all-white kitchens are not as popular as they once were. There has definitely been a resurgence in dramatic color tones that introduce powerful contrast, such as warm, saturated hues paired with understated neutrals. Midnight blues, or blacks which mix well with dramatic raw marbling have become very popular. Cabinetry in inky blacks and rich, saturated tones always offer a high end look and feel. Sleek and stylish, like a little black dress, it's a design that will never go out of fashion. Paired with woods such as oak or walnut and layered with brass or copper detailing, this scheme delivers a wealth of understated luxury and warmth.

2024 kitchen trends - metal kitchens - kitchen island with Stainless kitchen cabients - source pinterest

Metal kitchens are a growing trend with now Stainless Steel Kitchen Cabinets popping up everywhere online in 2024 - Source Pinterest

Metal Kitchens

I noticed this trend on the come up a few years ago and had mentioned it in my ‘8 Interior Design Trends to Watch out for in 2022’, but what was a spark then is now a growing desire!

The concept integrates various metals in different sheens, matte, polished and patinated, into everything from backsplashes to full walls of cabinetry transforming old kitchens into a modern, elegant space. When it comes to this trend, don't be afraid to mix gold, silver and brass as all of them work so well. Tapping into the modern industrial and minimalist interior trend, stainless steel kitchen cabinets is also a popular material used in metal kitchens not only because it is recognized for its durability, hygienic properties and ease of maintenance, but also because its seen as a beautiful material that can easily blend with any appliance brand you choose.


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2024 Kitchen Trends - coffee corner - Credit - alison victoria

A little coffee corner framed by a decorative archway with corbel moulding - Credit: Alison Victoria

Coffee Corners/Nooks

Coffee bars, nooks, corners, whatever you want to call them, are becoming more and more popular every year. Used for storing everything from coffee, tea, breakfast foods, grab and go snacks to other essentials like mugs and bowls, homeowners and designers alike are continuing to love these little spaces, upgrading them further every years. I wouldn’t be surprised if in a few years this small coffee station idea turns into a full breakfast/wet bar with an added smoothie station and mini fridge to hold your açai bowl ingredients and milk alternatives…would you?

2024 kitchen trends - built in beverage centre with undercabinet fridge, wine bottle storage, coffee corner, natural wood cabinets and herringbone pattern tile backsplash - credit mountainwood homes

Dedicated beverage fridges are a great addition to any kitchen! Credit: Mountainwood Homes.

Beverage Centres & Dedicated Beverage Fridges

As someone who has just completed a kitchen install I can attest to how useful a beverage centre/fridge is. Who would have thought a separate fridge for just drinks would be such a game changer, but having put one to good use for a few months now, it really does make so much sense! Not only has it increases the space in my main fridge for actual food, but its a dedicated storage space for soda water, pop, beer, wine and juices. We also have it positioned closer to the dining room/bar making it even easier to grab drinks from while entertaining or mixing cocktails.

2024 kitchen trends - outdoor bbq kitchen with outdoor kitchen island - outdoor covered kitchen ideas

Outdoor Kitchens and Bars are becoming more popular in 2024 but there are easy alternatives if a whole second kitchen isn’t in the budget. Source: Pinterest

Outdoor Bars and Kitchens

The addition of designated beverage stations are heading outdoors too! Blame it on years of only meeting up with friends on patios, in parks and other outdoors spaces, but big entertaining, outdoor spaces are a key kitchen renovation trend for 2024. Bonus points for those who find creative ways to seamless transition between indoor and outdoor spaces like using a window as an opportunity to create bar seating outside or incorporating a wall of French or sliding doors to integrate the two spaces easily into one.

Brass Accents

I know last year a few BIG designers were quoted saying that brass accents were on their way out but like a red lip, brass is a classic material that will never truly go out of style. Versatile by nature, brass accents exudes timeless appeal that carries a sense of sophistication in both traditional and modern design environments. It also creates visual interest and contrast by allowing other key design elements and materials like marble or wood to shine. With that in mind you may ask yourself, ‘Well if it’s so timeless, should it really be in a trend guide?’

On the note, matte black hardware definitely takes second place for homeowners as an alternative for brass. It’s also way cheaper and so versatile. Just make sure you choose a good brand with a hardy finish because I have heard they show wear and tear over time with coating peeling from harsh chemical cleanings and prolonged use.

2024 kitchen trends - natural wood cabinetry with marble arched kitchen range hood featuring zelliga tile backsplash and reeded island detail - (Image credit- Erick Kruk. Design - Cdot Design Studio

Custom Range Hood

In 2024, a trendy range exhaust hood is a must-have! More often I am seeing kitchen range hoods being integrated into the overall design through custom range hoods, and hidden vent inserts (vs the traditional over the range hoods with in your face silhouette). From simple shapes covered in drywall, plaster, metal, marble, tile or stone, eye-catching and stylish hoods not only continue to serve a practical purpose but can blend in better with your kitchen’s personality. I mean if the stove is the focal point, a hood vent is the accent so why not make it interesting.

Appliance Garage Cabinets and Storage

Counter tops are being whipped clean of small kitchen appliances as homeowners and kitchen designers gravitate towards clutter-free kitchen aesthetics. Instead this appliances are designated their own little cabinet space thanks to the rise of built-in appliance garages. Although they have been trendy for awhile now, its almost become a standard to designate storage space for these smaller appliances when designing a brand new kitchen. Thanks to lifts, drawers and designated cabinetry, there are so many ways to keep your small appliances accessible without the clutter. Further, integrated step stools, charging drawers, built in feeding stations for pets, and sneaky toe kick drawers are also becoming popular design solutions to help you get more out of your kitchen space.

Kitchen Trends 2023 2024 - fluted arched ceiling detail - credit baao architects

Fluted and Reeded textures are everywhere in 2024 - from the ceiling to undercounter cabinets, expect to see it everywhere. Credit: Baao Architects

Reeded & Fluted Panels

The appeal of fluting and texture has been rapidly gaining momentum over the past year and I believe these design characteristics are going to continue to gain popularity in 2024. From fluted glass to plaster walls and wooden cabinetry, fluted panelling is becoming easier to find and adds depth and dimension into any spaces. When it comes to kitchens though, its becoming more common place for designers to focus on millwork details like fluted cabinetry as a way to incorporate this trend.


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Herringbone Flooring and Patterns

From tiled backsplashes to engineered floors, the herringbone pattern, continues to be a popular choice in 2024. Much like natural wood cabinetry, Herringbone is yet another classic design element that is experiencing a renaissance. Becoming the go-to pattern for kitchens, bathrooms, and more, the graphic pattern is beloved for creating movement and texture!

Kitchen Trends 2023 2024 - skinny Shaker cabinet door - calacatta turquoise marble wet bar with ornate crown mouldings  - credit hunt-architecture- photography by Louisa and Fyodor

Traditional shaker cabinet profiles have evolved in 2024 to a more ‘slim shaker’ or ‘skinny shaker’ profile - Credit: Hunt Architecture

Slim Shaker Cabinet Doors

'Slim Shaker' or ‘skinny shaker’ cabinetry, continues to hold peoples attention. Considered the common ground between a modern flat slab door and a traditional shaker silhouette, a ‘slim shaker’ style features a skinnier trim border detail that easily elevated any kitchen aesthetic.

kitchen trends 2024 - natural wood kitchen cabinets with marble island - credit unios

Designers are getting more playful with their kitchen islands in 2024 - Credit: Unios

Freeform Kitchen Islands

If the kitchen is the heart of the home, the island is the heart of the kitchen! It’s an essential element that can be used to gather people around, serve food from and incorporating additional workstation sinks or added storage into. One thing I have seen designers do recently that I think is really neat is to use one side of the kitchen island to build out a baguette for seating. Instead of having a separate area for a kitchen table, they use the island to create a cozy seating nook and pull up a small table to it, so clever!

Integrated Smart Kitchen Appliances

Smart technology continues to level up kitchen design in 2024 as AI Ovens begin to hit the market. A super useful tool for even a skilled chef, AI Ovens can now assist in the cooking process by adjusting temperatures and cook times based on what you’re making. Additionally, fridges with food inventory technology and emergency power sources makes grocery shopping easy while also preventing spoilage when the power goes out unexpectedly.

2024 Kitchen Trends - layered LED kitchen lighting - under cupboard lighting for kitchen - Credit - kitchen stori

Layered lighting allows you to have versatility and control over the ambience in your kitchen - Source: Kitchen Stori

Statement Lighting/layered Lighting

People don’t just want statement lighting anymore, they want layered lighting. They want to be able to create multiple moods and have versatility with ambiences by incorporating more light sources. From pot lights to pendent lights to under the cabinet, toe kick and task lighting, anything that provides a warm glow is a go in this 2024. Layered lighting can add so much depth and character to such an important space in a house that overlooking it would be a huge miss.

Thank you for joining me today and taking interest in this 2024 kitchen trend report! If you have any questions or comments about coffee corners, beverage centre, flutter panels or outdoor kitchen/bar spaces, feel free to leave them in the comment section below!

Until next time,

- Soheila


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