What appears from the street to be an unassuming traditional red brick century home in Rockcliffe belies a stunning transformation behind the front façade that garnered an award for best renovation at last fall’s Ottawa Housing Design Awards.
Designed by the boutique firm O’Keefe Fiorenza Design Group and executed by multi-award-winning builder and renovator Casa Verde Construction, the remodel elevates the interior (and much of an exterior hidden from the road) to modern expectations while graciously respecting the home’s heritage.
A stunning kitchen, bespoke dining, living and family rooms, copious millwork and an infusion of moody colour are among the many details that captivated judges’ attention to earn the trophy.
For Casa Verde and O’Keefe Fiorenza, who have collaborated in the past, it was a rewarding project that demanded attention to detail, craftsmanship and speed — the owner was able to move in about nine months after buying — along with a client who appreciated and understood the design and renovation process.
“This was an ode to a more traditional (design) … it was fun for everybody because we’re not used to doing that anymore,” says Casa Verde founder Paul McElligott, referring to the trend in recent years to a more contemporary design esthetic.
The home was meticulously designed to blend timeless elegance with contemporary sophistication, Casa Verde said in its award submission. “It was a nice homage to its heritage,” McElligott later added.
The goal was to create a curated sense of cohesiveness in the home, “to make sure that the house felt warmer, because it was very sparse and very stark,” says Haley Fiorenza, O’Keefe Fiorenza’s co-founder and principal designer. “It didn’t have a lot of warmth to it; it felt dated.”
The circa 1915 home was purchased by the current owner (who wished to remain anonymous) in late 2022 after first bringing in O’Keefe Fiorenza to assess its potential.
“There was some quirkiness because it had undergone several renovations over the years,” says Fiorenza. “So, we tried to make adjustments throughout the layout to make it feel more purposeful.”
While every floor of the home gained attention, as well as a substantial portion of the exterior, the primary focus was the main floor. Room positions remained much the same, but the look, feel and use of space were overhauled.
“It’s almost unrecognizable on the main floor compared to what it was,” Fiorenza says. “We brought in classic traditional elements with modern furniture to give it a more cohesive look so that the inside reflected the outside of the home.”
Things like a modern-styled kitchen and decorative beams that were not in keeping with the home’s style were removed and replaced with a classic gourmet kitchen (itself a finalist in the awards), arches, built-ins, rich accent colours and traditional details such as crown moulding, ceiling medallions, window treatments, wall mouldings and chair rails.
“It’s very calming and very inviting,” Fiorenza says. “The client does like to entertain and have friends and family over (and) wanted a space that felt welcoming.”
There are “a lot of little design features that make this house special,” she says, before going on to point out several, including: the bar alcove separating the kitchen and dining room — with its antiqued mirror backing and bar rails; the marble fireplace mantel in the living room sourced from the United States (Artisan Kraft) to add a classic yet sophisticated look in the space; and brass accents like the sink legs in the powder room and brackets on the kitchen backsplash.
“There are a lot of little details that collectively make the space feel warm, inviting and unique.”
Casa Verde’s Laura McElligott agrees. “The end result was a stunning home. And it was nice keeping the legacy of the home, keeping the elements and celebrating the home’s tradition.… You walk in and you feel it’s not showy, but there’s so much richness in all the details.”
An award-winning renovation in photos
