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Save My Reno

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    Featured image of How Save My Reno Mixes Old and New Updates to Brighten a Family Space
    Save My Reno

    How Save My Reno Mixes Old and New Updates to Brighten a Family Space

    March 25, 2020 Sharon Miki Chan

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    Tying together decade-long layers of renovations into one cohesive, contemporary space is no small feat, but that’s just what contractor Sebastian Clovis, designer Samantha Pynn and the Save My Reno team did — finishing off a just-fixed solarium and making it work with a previously renovated kitchen.

    Save My Reno airs Tuesdays at 9 and 9:30PM e/p on HGTV Canada and on HGTV.ca.
    modern white kitchen with grey centre island and woven pendant lights
    Save My Reno

    How Save My Reno Mixes Old and New Updates to Brighten a Family Space


    March 25, 2020 Sharon Miki Chan

    Tying together decade-long layers of renovations into one cohesive, contemporary space is no small feat, but that’s just what contractor Sebastian Clovis, designer Samantha Pynn and the Save My Reno team did — finishing off a just-fixed solarium and making it work with a previously renovated kitchen.

    Save My Reno airs Tuesdays at 9 and 9:30PM e/p on HGTV Canada and on HGTV.ca.

    • A Problem From a Solution

      1/12
      modern white kitchen with grey centre island and woven pendant lights

      A Problem From a Solution

      1/12

      Photo Credit: HGTV Canada

      After 15 years, homeowners Jennie and Michael started the work to fix their leaky solarium, but that led to an even bigger problem: In order to tie the solarium in with the rest of the home, contractors told them they’d have to tear up the adjacent kitchen. Since they’d already <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/renovations/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">renovated</a> the kitchen and didn’t want to destroy the parts that were still functional, the couple needed the <em><a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/shows/save-my-reno/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Save My Reno</a></em> team's help to update the entire space — saving the parts that they loved, for a $35,000 budget.
      Save My RenoHow Save My Reno Mixes Old and New Updates to Brighten a Family Space

      A Problem From a Solution

      PHOTO 1 of 12
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      After 15 years, homeowners Jennie and Michael started the work to fix their leaky solarium, but that led to an even bigger problem: In order to tie the solarium in with the rest of the home, contractors told them they’d have to tear up the adjacent kitchen. Since they’d already <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/renovations/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">renovated</a> the kitchen and didn’t want to destroy the parts that were still functional, the couple needed the <em><a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/shows/save-my-reno/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Save My Reno</a></em> team's help to update the entire space — saving the parts that they loved, for a $35,000 budget.

      Photo Credit: HGTV Canada

    • Almost Finished

      2/12
      unfinished solarium with terracotta tiles

      Almost Finished

      2/12

      Photo Credit: HGTV Canada

      While the solarium's leaks were patched, Jennie and Michael still needed to finish up the room's renovations — particularly when it came to updating the outdated terracotta floor tiles that ran through both the solarium and the kitchen.
      Save My RenoHow Save My Reno Mixes Old and New Updates to Brighten a Family Space

      Almost Finished

      PHOTO 2 of 12
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      While the solarium's leaks were patched, Jennie and Michael still needed to finish up the room's renovations — particularly when it came to updating the outdated terracotta floor tiles that ran through both the solarium and the kitchen.

      Photo Credit: HGTV Canada

    • Soak Up the Sun

      3/12
      solarium with wall shelving, glass doors and grey floors

      Soak Up the Sun

      3/12

      Photo Credit: HGTV Canada

      Sebastian and the team completed the solarium's renovations, transforming the leaky, terracotta-tiled area into a light-filled, family-focused extension of Jennie and Michael's home. Starting from the ground up, they removed the old tiles and replaced them with waterproof vinyl flooring. Sliding glass doors coaxed in the sunlight and gave easy access to the backyard, while a glass stair railing offered safety without closing off the space. <br><br>Related: <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/real-estate/photos/stunning-landscape-expanding-homes-1927086/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">8 Stunning Homes That Blend in With the Outdoors</a>
      Save My RenoHow Save My Reno Mixes Old and New Updates to Brighten a Family Space

      Soak Up the Sun

      PHOTO 3 of 12
      READ LESS -
      Sebastian and the team completed the solarium's renovations, transforming the leaky, terracotta-tiled area into a light-filled, family-focused extension of Jennie and Michael's home. Starting from the ground up, they removed the old tiles and replaced them with waterproof vinyl flooring. Sliding glass doors coaxed in the sunlight and gave easy access to the backyard, while a glass stair railing offered safety without closing off the space. <br><br>Related: <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/real-estate/photos/stunning-landscape-expanding-homes-1927086/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">8 Stunning Homes That Blend in With the Outdoors</a>

      Photo Credit: HGTV Canada

    • Pops of Colour

      4/12
      two grey chairs in front of shelves and a wooden side table

      Pops of Colour

      4/12

      Photo Credit: HGTV Canada

      While Samantha kept the overall colour palette in the solarium <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/living-rooms/photos/grey-living-room-design-ideas-1918870/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">neutral in greys</a> and whites for a cohesive feel with the kitchen, primary-hued decor accents (including framed art created by Jennie and Michael's daughter) brought a playful feel to the family-oriented space. <br><br>Related: <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/decorating/photos/how-to-pick-art-for-every-room-1922988/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">How to Pick Art for Every Room in Your Home</a>
      Save My RenoHow Save My Reno Mixes Old and New Updates to Brighten a Family Space

      Pops of Colour

      PHOTO 4 of 12
      READ LESS -
      While Samantha kept the overall colour palette in the solarium <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/living-rooms/photos/grey-living-room-design-ideas-1918870/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">neutral in greys</a> and whites for a cohesive feel with the kitchen, primary-hued decor accents (including framed art created by Jennie and Michael's daughter) brought a playful feel to the family-oriented space. <br><br>Related: <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/decorating/photos/how-to-pick-art-for-every-room-1922988/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">How to Pick Art for Every Room in Your Home</a>

      Photo Credit: HGTV Canada

    • Old Floors, New Life

      5/12
      white solarium cabinets and grey kitchen cabinets

      Old Floors, New Life

      5/12

      Photo Credit: HGTV Canada

      <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/renovations/blog/common-renovating-costs-flooring-27087/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Flooring can be expensive</a>, so sourcing salvaged flooring is a smart way to cut costs and reuse resources. After searching online, Samantha and Jennie lucked out by finding a homeowner selling compatible salvaged flooring from a reno — offering 200 square feet for just $75. If bought new, the flooring would have cost at least $1600, making it a major budget-boosting steal.
      Save My RenoHow Save My Reno Mixes Old and New Updates to Brighten a Family Space

      Old Floors, New Life

      PHOTO 5 of 12
      READ LESS -
      <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/renovations/blog/common-renovating-costs-flooring-27087/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Flooring can be expensive</a>, so sourcing salvaged flooring is a smart way to cut costs and reuse resources. After searching online, Samantha and Jennie lucked out by finding a homeowner selling compatible salvaged flooring from a reno — offering 200 square feet for just $75. If bought new, the flooring would have cost at least $1600, making it a major budget-boosting steal.

      Photo Credit: HGTV Canada

    • A Step Up

      6/12
      white and wood step with grey tile floor

      A Step Up

      6/12

      Photo Credit: HGTV Canada

      Not wanting to waste any of the up-cycled flooring, Sebastian used the more-worn pieces to create a unique end-grain step by stacking and gluing the wood pieces together. The finished step coordinates beautifully as a bridge between the wood flooring in the kitchen and the concrete-inspired, waterproof vinyl flooring in the solarium.
      Save My RenoHow Save My Reno Mixes Old and New Updates to Brighten a Family Space

      A Step Up

      PHOTO 6 of 12
      READ LESS -
      Not wanting to waste any of the up-cycled flooring, Sebastian used the more-worn pieces to create a unique end-grain step by stacking and gluing the wood pieces together. The finished step coordinates beautifully as a bridge between the wood flooring in the kitchen and the concrete-inspired, waterproof vinyl flooring in the solarium.

      Photo Credit: HGTV Canada

    • Green and Clean

      7/12
      green leaves in vase on white cabinet

      Green and Clean

      7/12

      Photo Credit: HGTV Canada

      Keeping the clean, light and fresh feel for the main floor, Samantha used plenty of <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/tags/plants/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">plants and greenery</a> throughout. <br><br>Related: <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/green-living/photos/easy-to-care-for-indoor-plants-1926218/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">21 Easy-to-Care-for Indoor Plants That Go Beyond Succulents</a>
      Save My RenoHow Save My Reno Mixes Old and New Updates to Brighten a Family Space

      Green and Clean

      PHOTO 7 of 12
      READ LESS -
      Keeping the clean, light and fresh feel for the main floor, Samantha used plenty of <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/tags/plants/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">plants and greenery</a> throughout. <br><br>Related: <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/green-living/photos/easy-to-care-for-indoor-plants-1926218/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">21 Easy-to-Care-for Indoor Plants That Go Beyond Succulents</a>

      Photo Credit: HGTV Canada

    • Storage With Every Step

      8/12
      grey staircase with side shelving

      Storage With Every Step

      8/12

      Photo Credit: HGTV Canada

      To get full use of the new solarium space, the team installed <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/living-rooms/photos/living-room-shelving-ideas-1919652/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">shelving</a> cabinets along the side of the stairs that led to the basement. By making the cabinets full height and carrying them all the way up the stairs, the family can use the storage for everything from shoes to decorative items. <br><br>Related: <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/renovations/photos/renovate-space-under-your-stairs-1931402/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">10 Genius Ways to Renovate the Space Under Your Stairs</a>
      Save My RenoHow Save My Reno Mixes Old and New Updates to Brighten a Family Space

      Storage With Every Step

      PHOTO 8 of 12
      READ LESS -
      To get full use of the new solarium space, the team installed <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/living-rooms/photos/living-room-shelving-ideas-1919652/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">shelving</a> cabinets along the side of the stairs that led to the basement. By making the cabinets full height and carrying them all the way up the stairs, the family can use the storage for everything from shoes to decorative items. <br><br>Related: <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/renovations/photos/renovate-space-under-your-stairs-1931402/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">10 Genius Ways to Renovate the Space Under Your Stairs</a>

      Photo Credit: HGTV Canada

    • A Recipe for Disaster

      9/12
      dark kitchen with center island and terracotta flooring

      A Recipe for Disaster

      9/12

      Photo Credit: HGTV Canada

      After completing a partial renovation about a decade ago, there was still plenty to love about the kitchen's cabinetry and countertops, so the goal was to save and refresh as much as possible. But, because the homeowners wanted to replace the outdated flooring, keeping some elements without damaging them was a challenge. <br><br>Related: <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/renovations/photos/where-to-take-used-appliances-cabinets-by-province-1935990/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Where to Take Your Used Appliances and Cabinets, by Province</a>
      Save My RenoHow Save My Reno Mixes Old and New Updates to Brighten a Family Space

      A Recipe for Disaster

      PHOTO 9 of 12
      READ LESS -
      After completing a partial renovation about a decade ago, there was still plenty to love about the kitchen's cabinetry and countertops, so the goal was to save and refresh as much as possible. But, because the homeowners wanted to replace the outdated flooring, keeping some elements without damaging them was a challenge. <br><br>Related: <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/renovations/photos/where-to-take-used-appliances-cabinets-by-province-1935990/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Where to Take Your Used Appliances and Cabinets, by Province</a>

      Photo Credit: HGTV Canada

    • A Fresh Coat

      10/12
      modern grey kitchen with centre island and stainless steel appliances

      A Fresh Coat

      10/12

      Photo Credit: HGTV Canada

      While keeping the existing cabinetry, sink and countertops was a challenge, it also gave the team a huge opportunity for savings. As Samantha pointed, cabinetry usually accounts for about 30% of the cost of kitchen renovations, so — by painting the current cabinets in a modern soft grey and adding new hardware — they could then allocate a big chunk of the budget to other areas. <br><br>Related: <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/kitchens/blog/how-to-refinish-kitchen-cabinets-1915753/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">How to Refinish Kitchen Cabinets: Bryan Baeumler Breaks it Down</a>
      Save My RenoHow Save My Reno Mixes Old and New Updates to Brighten a Family Space

      A Fresh Coat

      PHOTO 10 of 12
      READ LESS -
      While keeping the existing cabinetry, sink and countertops was a challenge, it also gave the team a huge opportunity for savings. As Samantha pointed, cabinetry usually accounts for about 30% of the cost of kitchen renovations, so — by painting the current cabinets in a modern soft grey and adding new hardware — they could then allocate a big chunk of the budget to other areas. <br><br>Related: <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/kitchens/blog/how-to-refinish-kitchen-cabinets-1915753/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">How to Refinish Kitchen Cabinets: Bryan Baeumler Breaks it Down</a>

      Photo Credit: HGTV Canada

    • A Brighter Backsplash

      11/12
      marble kitchen counter with bowl of pears and geometric backsplash in background

      A Brighter Backsplash

      11/12

      Photo Credit: HGTV Canada

      Samantha's choice of <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/kitchens/photos/25-kitchen-backsplash-ideas-for-your-next-reno-1050210/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">kitchen backsplash</a> went a long way towards transforming the look of the kitchen (without tearing it down). The distinctive white penny round tile featured subtle deep-brown edges that tied together beautifully with the browns in the existing countertops, while still turning up the brightness. <br><br>Related: <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/kitchens/photos/backsplash-tile-cabinetry-top-kitchen-trends-2020-1931289/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Backsplash, Tile, Cabinetry: The 15 Top Kitchen Trends for 2020</a>
      Save My RenoHow Save My Reno Mixes Old and New Updates to Brighten a Family Space

      A Brighter Backsplash

      PHOTO 11 of 12
      READ LESS -
      Samantha's choice of <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/kitchens/photos/25-kitchen-backsplash-ideas-for-your-next-reno-1050210/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">kitchen backsplash</a> went a long way towards transforming the look of the kitchen (without tearing it down). The distinctive white penny round tile featured subtle deep-brown edges that tied together beautifully with the browns in the existing countertops, while still turning up the brightness. <br><br>Related: <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/kitchens/photos/backsplash-tile-cabinetry-top-kitchen-trends-2020-1931289/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Backsplash, Tile, Cabinetry: The 15 Top Kitchen Trends for 2020</a>

      Photo Credit: HGTV Canada

    • Stylish Shade

      12/12
      modern grey kitchen with block-printed drapes hanging in front of solarium windows

      Stylish Shade

      12/12

      Photo Credit: HGTV Canada

      The natural light from the solarium is spectacular, but there are times when the family wants a touch of shade and privacy from the big solarium windows. The stylish solution? Samantha, Jennie and Jennie's daughter worked together to create custom block-printed <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/sarah-baeumler/photos/sarah-baeumlers-dos-and-donts-for-window-treatments-1926583/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">drapery</a>. While block-printed fabric is usually quite expensive, the team saved by creating their own print on less-costly ready-made panels. <br><br>Related: <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/diy/photos/diy-projects-that-will-set-your-home-apart-1930013/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">9 Easy DIY Projects From HGTV Canada Stars That'll Make Your Home Look Expensive on a Budget</a>
      Save My RenoHow Save My Reno Mixes Old and New Updates to Brighten a Family Space

      Stylish Shade

      PHOTO 12 of 12
      READ LESS -
      The natural light from the solarium is spectacular, but there are times when the family wants a touch of shade and privacy from the big solarium windows. The stylish solution? Samantha, Jennie and Jennie's daughter worked together to create custom block-printed <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/sarah-baeumler/photos/sarah-baeumlers-dos-and-donts-for-window-treatments-1926583/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">drapery</a>. While block-printed fabric is usually quite expensive, the team saved by creating their own print on less-costly ready-made panels. <br><br>Related: <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/diy/photos/diy-projects-that-will-set-your-home-apart-1930013/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">9 Easy DIY Projects From HGTV Canada Stars That'll Make Your Home Look Expensive on a Budget</a>

      Photo Credit: HGTV Canada

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