When our client first came to us, he wasn't entirely sure what he wanted his new condo to look like. He knew how he wanted it to feel, though. Modern, comfortable, a little masculine and somewhere he could come home to at the end of a busy day and truly relax.
The two-bedroom Ottawa condo was in good shape, but the finishes were dated and the kitchen could be more functional. He wanted to update the space, invest in quality materials and have everything taken care of, from the renovation right through to the furniture and artwork.
Interestingly, the project didn't start out as a renovation at all. We initially began working with him on the furnishings, but as we got to know his tastes and talked about how he wanted to use the space, the project grew into a much bigger transformation.
And we're glad it did.
The starting point
Finding the right balance
Our client was drawn to darker colours, warm wood and clean, contemporary lines. He liked the idea of a bold, masculine space but didn't want his home to feel too dark or formal. It needed to be somewhere he could put his feet up, entertain occasionally and feel completely comfortable.
We started with a palette of black, grey, blue, white and warm wood tones. One of the key colours we introduced was Chelsea Gray by Benjamin Moore, which gives the walls a lovely depth and works particularly well with the darker finishes.
We also made a point of repeating materials and colours throughout the condo. It's a simple approach, but it makes a difference. When you can see those connections from one room to the next, the home feels more cohesive without everything looking exactly the same.
The layout
A kitchen with more to offer
The original kitchen was dated, so it was a natural place to make a significant change. The existing layout was workable, but we saw an opportunity to improve how the space functioned day to day.
We increased the size of the island, added more drawers for storage and incorporated a larger dishwasher. These might not be the first things you notice in a finished kitchen, but they're the kinds of decisions that make a difference once you're living in it.
For the cabinetry, we combined matte black with dark-stained oak. The wood upper cabinets and floating shelves bring warmth to the darker finishes, while white quartz countertops create the contrast we were looking for.
One detail I particularly love is the waterfall countertop on the peninsula. It gives the kitchen a strong focal point and adds a nice finishing touch to the design.
The kitchen now has a much more contemporary feel, but it hasn't lost its warmth.
Creating Flow
Giving the rest of the condo a fresh start
The kitchen wasn't the only area ready for an update. We replaced the hardwood flooring throughout the main living areas with dark-stained oak and updated the tile. Both bathrooms were also renovated, including new finishes and fixtures, while keeping the existing bathtubs.
We decided to keep the carpet in the bedrooms, giving those spaces a softer feel. The contrast works nicely with the hardwood in the main living areas, and the darker oak helps anchor the overall palette.
It was important that the renovation didn't feel like a collection of separate room updates. Repeating the wood tones and carrying the same colours through the condo helped everything feel connected.
Finishes & Materials
The finishing touches make it feel like home
While the renovation was underway, we were also working on the furnishings. In fact, we had selected the furniture before the client decided to move ahead with the renovation, which made for an interesting project!
We sourced everything for the condo, including the sofa, living room furniture, artwork and accessories. The client preferred contemporary pieces with clean lines, but comfort and easy maintenance were just as important.
For the living room, we chose a grey microfibre sofa in a performance fabric. It's practical, easy to maintain and fits beautifully with the colour palette. We paired it with an upholstered ottoman, giving him a comfortable place to put his feet up at the end of the day.
We also installed custom drapery in the living room and kitchen, along with blackout blinds in the bedrooms. Since the initial installation, we've added blackout drapery in the bedrooms as well.
Artwork was selected to bring together the colours and finishes used throughout the condo. We added personal photographs, too, because we wanted the space to feel like his home, not a furniture showroom.
One of the smaller details in the living room was adding sound-dampening panels behind the television. They help create a cozier atmosphere and add another layer of texture to the room.
These are the details that can sometimes get overlooked when a renovation focuses solely on construction, but they're a big part of what makes a home feel finished.
The Result
More than a renovation
One of the things we enjoyed about this project was being able to look after so much of it for our client.
He has a busy lifestyle and was very clear that he wanted us to take the lead. He didn't want to spend his evenings searching for furniture, coordinating deliveries or figuring out who needed to be on site next. He wanted to know that someone was looking after the details and that everything would work together.
That's exactly what we did.
We coordinated the contractors and renovation, sourced and ordered the furnishings, managed deliveries and receiving, inspected the items, arranged the custom window treatments and coordinated the installation of the furniture, artwork and accessories. We even arranged to have the television installed.
Our contractors were experienced in working within condominium buildings and already had a good relationship with the building, which helped make the renovation process easier.
By the time we were finished, everything was in place. The kitchen and bathrooms were complete, the furniture was installed, the artwork was hung and the window treatments were up.
The client only had to arrange moving his personal belongings into the condo.
A place to come home to
It's always rewarding to see a project come together, but what I particularly love about this condo is how well it reflects what the client wanted from the beginning.
The living room is probably the best example. It's comfortable, relaxed and has just the right amount of contrast. The kitchen is another favourite, especially the combination of black cabinetry, warm oak and white quartz.
Most importantly, the client loved it. He felt immediately at home and was especially happy with how easy the entire experience had been.
For us, that's a big part of what full-service interior design is about. It's not only the finished rooms or the materials we select. It's being able to take care of the entire process, make the decisions that need to be made and give our clients a home they're excited to come back to.
Project Onyx is a good example of what can happen when you look beyond the individual rooms and consider the home as a whole.
Thinking about renovating your Ottawa condo?
At CPI Interiors, we manage the details from the initial design through to construction, furnishings and final installation. We'd love to hear what you're envisioning for your home.
Book a 15-minute call — we'll walk through your space, your goals, and what a full-service renovation could look like for your home.
