Renovating can be a slippery slope — but a good one. Take the case of a Toronto home handled by StudioAC: The client wanted a place to tuck away a dog bed ... which evolved into a complete gut redesign.
What was StudioAC's idea? Creating what they dubbed "the mass," a multipurpose storage unit that ended up completely defining the structure of the living areas, as well as the tone of the three-bedroom home. Before the renovation, the house, located in the Dundas West neighborhood of Toronto, was dark, cramped, and broken up into separate rooms. Owned by a contractor who also acted as a consultant on the project, the 1,500-square-foot space was cleared out to create a sense of openness.
Because the design team was on a budget, they opted for inexpensive materials, incorporating elements from IKEA and cladding "the mass" with plywood from Home Depot for a sleek look. The team also got creative by using plywood boards for the flooring. By rearranging the layout, the house has transformed into an airy, open space complete with a playful home for Rusty the dog.
After interning at Dwell magazine in San Francisco, Kate began writing about arts, design and culture for other national publications. She is based in Los Angeles and San Francisco.