A hundred-year-old home is full of charm and character – and challenges. Making space and modernizing was the goal for Katy and Jeff, the new owners of century-home, and the Save My Reno team scored with this incredible first-floor transformation.
Save My Reno airs Tuesdays at 9 and 9:30PM e/p on HGTV Canada and on HGTV.ca.
![Space Issues open-concept dining area with white walls and wooden floors](https://assets.hgtv.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/3032-dining-room.jpg)
Space Issues
Katy and Jeff were only the second family to living in an incredible century home, which meant their house was brimming with heritage charm – but ultra-tight on space. Initially, the couple considered a renovation that meant moving the kitchen to the front of the home and the living space to the back, but that plan wouldn’t fit within their $100,000 reno budget.
![A Way to Save modern entryway with blue cabinet in front of staircase](https://assets.hgtv.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/3032-sideboard.jpg)
A Way to Save
Instead, Save My Reno designer Samantha Pynn and contractor Sebastian Clovis suggested keeping the rooms where they were – but finding other ways to open up the blocked-off spaces and create a fresh, modern feel (while staying on track with the budget).
Related: A State-of-the-Art Kitchen Transformation You Have to See to Believe
![A Claustrophobic Step white hallway with narrow wooden staircase](https://assets.hgtv.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/3032-stairs-before.jpg)
A Claustrophobic Step
Part of the problem with Jeff and Katy’s home was that it felt cramped the second you walked through the door with a narrow hallway blocking off their living space’s square footage.
Related: 10 Genius Ways to Renovate the Space Under Your Stairs
![A Step Above white open-concept living space with carpeted staircase](https://assets.hgtv.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/3032-stairsace.jpg)
A Step Above
By removing the wall that closed off the living and dining room, the Save My Reno team instantly opened up the space – eliminating the too-tight hallway and showcasing the space. Carrying forth the grey-neutral colour palette, a subtly striped runner added traction (and style) to slippery stairs.
![Take a Seat crowded living room with television and grey couch](https://assets.hgtv.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/3032-living-room-befores.jpg)
Take a Seat
Finding space to entertain was big on the wish-list for Jeff and Katy, but the narrow rooms left them with few options other than crowding multiple mis-matched couches into the rooms.
![Behind the Scenes modern living room with grey couch, patterned poufs and a colourful image on the wall](https://assets.hgtv.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/3032-living-room-.jpg)
Behind the Scenes
Because Katy doesn’t love the television being the focus of the living room, Samantha and Sebastian came up with a clever DIY solution to please everyone. A custom bifold door design showcases a colourful image of Italy when closed – but it opens to reveal the television when it’s time to settle in for a favourite show.
![A Fresh Antique grey wallpapered living room with antique grey hutch and flowers on wooden dining table](https://assets.hgtv.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/3032-dining-room-decor.jpg)
A Fresh Antique
In the dining room, a unique furniture upcycling project brought a modern spin to old-world charm – which was a perfectly fitting project for the reno. Samantha and Katy took a much-loved antique hutch that once belonged to Jeff’s grandfather and refinished it in a warm grey shade with wallpaper accents to make it new.
Related: 10 DIY Ideas to Give Old Furniture New Life Using Paint
![Stuck in the Past old kitchen with floral wallpaper and stainless steel fridge](https://assets.hgtv.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/3032-kitchen-before-4.jpg)
Stuck in the Past
The home’s kitchen was a real relic of an era gone by, but it wasn’t very practical for Katy and Jeff. Yes, that is a wall-mount phone. In fact, the old range was so intimidating that the couple left it alone and cooked their meals on a hot plate!
![Cooking Up a Contemporary Kitchen modern white kitchen with stainless steel appliances](https://assets.hgtv.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/3032-kitchen-2.jpg)
Cooking Up a Contemporary Kitchen
The biggest budget-saver of the renovation was keeping the kitchen at the back of the home, but the team didn’t want Jeff and Katy to sacrifice their desire for a spacious, beautiful kitchen.
Related: Our 12 Most Popular Kitchen Design Ideas on Pinterest
![Modern Classics kitchen counter with hexagonal backsplash and cookies on counter](https://assets.hgtv.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/3032-kitchen-counter-decor.jpg)
Modern Classics
The renovated kitchen is distinctly new, but still pays homage to the home’s history with timeless details like greige cabinets, metallic hardware and a hexagonal backsplash.
![Outdoor Access modern white kitchen with glass french doors](https://assets.hgtv.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/3032-kitchen-3.jpg)
Outdoor Access
By replacing a small kitchen window with glass french doors, the team was able to bring a lot of light and and airy feel into the home – while also allowing for easier access to the backyard and outdoor space.
![Outdoor Living wooden backyard deck with grey chairs and rug in front](https://assets.hgtv.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/3032-backyard-deck.jpg)
Outdoor Living
By creating easier access to the outdoors, the reno ensures a smoother flow to and from the backyard for barbecues – increasing the home’s functional space on sunny days.
Related: 10 Tips for Throwing a Last-Minute Backyard Party Without the Stress
HGTV your inbox.
By clicking "SIGN UP” you agree to receive emails from HGTV and accept Corus' Terms of Use and Corus' Privacy Policy.