Multi-award-winning renovator and custom builder Amsted Design-Build offers a project in the 2025 RenoTour Parade of Homes that shows how you can make the most of a home with a narrow footprint.
The thoughtful whole-home transformation in Westboro was all about updating an older home so that it worked for its family, offering a more efficient layout with open sightlines, better functionality and modern needs. The project has been nominated in both provincial and local housing awards programs, including being a finalist for the All Things Home People’s Choice Award.
The RenoTour Parade of Homes is presented by the Greater Ottawa Home Builders’ Association (GOHBA) and RenoMark (a national program that identifies professional contractors who have signed on to a code of conduct that protects the homeowner).
This home is one of seven that can be seen in person on Oct. 19. There is no charge, although donations, both food and money, are being accepted for the Ottawa Food Bank.
Get the tour map at renotourparadeofhomes.ca or pick up a brochure at the GOHBA booth at the Ottawa Fall Home Show (EY Centre, Oct. 2-5).
If you can’t make the in-person tour, 3D virtual walk-throughs will be available afterwards on the tour website.
Here’s more info on Amsted Design-Build — the current renovator of the year — and its project from marketing co-ordinator Amanda Lyster (edited for clarity).
Q: What made you decide to join the tour this year?
A: The RenoTour is such a great event for both homeowners and renovators, and it’s one we’ve been proud to support from day one. There’s something special about being able to walk through a finished renovation.
Photos are great but seeing it in person really helps you picture what’s possible and is an immersive experience. It’s a chance to get inspired, ask questions and see the details up close. And for us renovators, it’s a fun way to show off the craftsmanship, creativity and care that goes into every project.
Q: Why choose this project for the tour?
A: We love this project because it was an extensive renovation where every inch of the home, inside and out, was transformed. It was an old home with good bones, and the homeowners saw a lot of potential. With an improved floor plan and cohesive finishes, it’s a great example of how older homes have tremendous potential and can be reimagined for modern needs.
Q: What can you tell us about this project?
A: The front entry is defined by maintenance-free vertical aluminum wood-look panels and a cantilevered flat roof engineered to avoid encroaching lot lines. It has a modern silhouette with black-trimmed windows, charcoal and white stucco with false reveals.
We reworked the 17-foot-wide layout to create open-concept sightlines from the kitchen to the front entry, maximizing light and visual volume.
We added a powder room, laundry and ensuite — upgrading the home from one to three bathrooms. In the process, we reduced the three upstairs bedrooms to two, creating space for a walk-in closet, the ensuite and the laundry.
Windows were added on all available sides, including a corner window paired with black cladding that mimics a glass-wrapped effect, giving the home a high-impact architectural presence. Also, a 10-foot feature window in the primary bedroom counteracts the light limitations of the lot-line wall.
We created a mudroom-style back entry within a compact addition, adding everyday function without exceeding footprint constraints.
Interior finishes follow a crisp black-and-white palette, creating high contrast and clean lines, anchored by French-cut white oak floors and matte black hardware throughout. Along with that, a moss feature wall in the living room brings a vibrant biophilic element and pop of colour into the sleek, modern interior.
And there is all new plumbing, insulation and windows to vastly improve performance, while the basement was waterproofed and spray foamed, upgrading it to a semi-finished space.
Q: What kinds of things should visitors watch for when they tour the project?
A: They should pay close attention to how the spaces have been thoughtfully reimagined to better suit the homeowners’ lifestyle and make the most of a narrow footprint. Nestled right in the heart of Westboro, this renovation is a total reinvention of a classic wartime house. By bringing in more light, optimizing the layout and embracing bold, contemporary design, we’ve transformed a long-overlooked structure into a stylish, future-ready gem.
Q: What do you expect to have on hand for visitors?
A: The homeowners won’t be available on tour day, but our team will be! We will have members of our development and construction team ready to answer questions about all aspects of the build, along with before photos to give a true sense of the total transformation of this space.
Q: Tell us a bit about your company.
A: For over 35 years, Amsted Design-Build has been Ottawa’s primary source for design and build services, renovations, home care and custom homes. Our in-house team of experts will create a functional and unique living space that reflects your personal taste and lifestyle. We are proud to provide true design-build to our clients, offering innovative design solutions and exceptional construction quality. Our team has been awarded renovator of the year a record-setting 11 times by GOHBA, an honour for which we are very proud.
Q: What’s the value of this tour for those who will visit the homes?
A: It’s like Pinterest come to life! And it’s a chance to get a sense for several high-quality renovators in the area. All in one shot you can meet some of the team, see their work on display and learn more about whether one of these companies is right for any upcoming projects you may have. Also, if you simply have a love for interior design and architecture, this is a great way to spend a Sunday feeling inspired.
