A Phase 2 to our Ritchie Rowhouse project, we introduced some walls on the ground floor to separate the foyer and dining room from the kitchen. This was part of our exploration of the "Not-Too-Open Concept" floor plan, which is further detailed here on our blog.

In the foyer, we put in a chair rail at waist height and painted the area below in a sand coloured paint to help camouflage typical wear and tear that this space often receives. We installed limestone floor tiles for durability, and used gold decals above and below the rail to help add interest and charm to the entry way.

In the dining room, we painted the ceiling a pale aqua colour with a slight sheen that helps to bounce light around the room. We installed a large pocket door in the dining room so that remains connected to the kitchen, but can also be closed off from it if required.

Adding the separations on the ground floor has had the overall impression of making the house feel larger. This is because the entirety of the floor is not all taken in at once, and the main architectural features of the space are uncovered slowly as you travel through them.

Location: Roncesvalles, Toronto
Scope: Renovation
Contractor: Mark Hindson
As seen in Chatelaine