The Let it Breathe Kitchen

The Let it Breathe Kitchen

The Let it Breathe Kitchen Renovation

LOCATION
Toronto, Ontario

SIZE
165 sq.ft.

Coastal Kitchen Revival

Once cluttered with mismatched storage furniture and bright blue paint, this kitchen lacked both function and harmony. Our clients, theatre industry professionals with a love for colour and a vision for a coastal-inspired space, wanted to prepare for retirement with a kitchen that would be beautiful, efficient, and uniquely theirs.

We were tasked with refreshing this small kitchen with a coastal palette of blue, white, and green. We needed to add functional storage, more usable counter space all while incorporating some existing design elements – the grey tile floors, glass block window, and antique Tiffany-style pendant.

Luxury kitchen with large walnut island
The kitchen was located in an addition at the back of the house and while it had no structural issues, nothing in the space was level. Creative cabinet moulding work (and a very skilled construction team) allowed us to make everything appear perfectly aligned.

Standout Features

  • Full bank of lower & upper cabinets replaced the mismatched storage furniture
  • Framed-in refrigerator creates. a more tailored look
  • Clever open shelving for cookbooks helps make a tricky corner more functional
  • The existing tile floor received a professional cleaning & grout recolouring for a new look
Linear party sink for kitchen island
Neutral kitchen with mushroom cabinets and luxury panel-ready appliances

Casey’s Favorite Detail:

 “I love the varying patterns on the painted backsplash tile, mixed with solid tiles it’s enough to add interest without being overwhelming.”

The Does it Come in Yellow Townhouse

The Does it Come in Yellow Townhouse

The Does it Come in Yellow? Townhouse

LOCATION
Mississauga, Ontario

When our client, a young professional and avid traveler, purchased her first home, she wanted more than builder-basic finishes. Having upgraded from a small condo to an open-concept townhouse, she dreamed of a home that felt personal, colourful, and a reflection of her love of travel, music, and bold design.

Kathleen Casey Design transformed the 800 sq. ft. space with vibrant touches of yellow (her favorite colour), layered textures, and custom details that made the home uniquely hers. From a cozy living and dining area with display space for travel souvenirs and vinyl records to a boldly wallpapered powder room and a primary bedroom retreat infused with teal and gold, the design reflects both her personality and lifestyle.

Dining area in an open-concept main floor
Small powder room with colourful wallpaper including various illustrated animals and plants
In the open-concept main floor is divided into a TV lounge area, a dining space and small kitchen. A cozy rug and custom sofa create a comfortable area for watching TV while the dining area has a compact table that expands for entertaining and wood sideboard doubling as a home bar.

In the kitchen received a fresh look with new pendant lights, brushed gold cabinet hardware and faucet, and cheerful yellow counter stools.

Throughout the space open shelves and display areas showcase our client’s treasured keepsakes and her record collection. In the nearby powder room we added bold navy wallpaper featuring peacocks, deer, and big cats for a dramatic first impression.

Living area in open-concept townhouse with large custom sectional and round glass coffee table
Townhouse kitchen with white cabinets, gold hardware and yellow counter stools

Upstairs in the primary bedroom we added all-new furnishings and decor to create a relaxing retreat that still reflected our client’s love of colour. Opposite the upholstered king bed and yellow velvet bench is a sunny seating area perfect for morning coffee. Layered window treatments add the flexibility of custom light control.

Townhouse kitchen with white cabinets, gold hardware and yellow counter stools
Large bed with upholstered headboard, wood nightstands, and velvet bench

The redesigned townhouse now feels cohesive across three levels, with a consistent aesthetic that balances bright whites, bold pops of colour, and playful patterns. The layout makes entertaining, working from home, and relaxing effortless, while every room reflects the client’s unique personality.

The Let’s Add Some Wow Kitchen

The Let’s Add Some Wow Kitchen

The Let’s Add Some Wow Kitchen

LOCATION
Pickering, Ontario

SIZE
350 sq.ft.

Transitional Luxury Kitchen Renovation

Our clients, a retired couple who enjoy travel and entertaining, wanted their primary residence to finally have the kitchen they had been dreaming about for years. Their existing kitchen wasn’t ideal – the layout placed the wall ovens on the opposite end from the cooktop, making cooking inefficient. The space also felt dark and heavy, with odd angles and ornate moldings that didn’t reflect their style. Our goal was to create a brighter, more open kitchen inspired by natural materials and improve the layout for more efficient cooking and entertaining.

Luxury kitchen with large walnut island

Stand Out Features

  • Walnut island and coordinating range hood, contrasted with painted perimeter cabinetry
  • Porcelain slab countertops and backsplash with warm, textured veining
  • Full-height display cabinet with reeded glass doors
  • A trough-style “party sink” perfect for chilling wine during gatherings
  • Polished nickel hardware & accents for a subtle sparkle
Linear party sink for kitchen island
Neutral kitchen with mushroom cabinets and luxury panel-ready appliances

Casey’s Favorite Detail:

“The cocoon pendant above the dining table. Its organic curves echo the project’s nature-inspired palette, and when illuminated, the resin shade glows like sunlight through fabric.”

The final kitchen is efficient, bright, and welcoming. By placing prep and cooking zones together and creating a distinct dining area, the layout now flows seamlessly. Removing most upper cabinets on the main wall opened the space visually, while layered lighting provides flexibility.

The So Many Stairs Townhouse

The So Many Stairs Townhouse

The So Many Stairs Townhouse

LOCATION
Richmond Hill

When a professional couple with three young daughters upgraded from a downtown condo to a spacious four-story townhouse, they suddenly had room to breathe – but also a lot of empty, undefined spaces. They wanted a home that balanced function and beauty, with zones tailored to family life, relaxation, and entertaining. We were tasked with creating cohesive, livable spaces across multiple levels of the townhome, each with its own personality and purpose.

Primary Bedroom

King sized bed with an upholstered headboard and matching nightstands

We transformed the completely empty third-floor primary suite into a calming retreat with custom furnishings and layered window treatments.

Basement

In the basement, we wanted to carve out a grown-up escape with a lounge and small home office. The lounge area features custom art prints inspired by our client’s favourite albums and TV shows, guitar storage, and a mini fridge styled like a Fender amp. 

While previously the existing oversized TV above the fireplace in the basement dominated the wall. Careful furniture placement and layered styling created balance and comfort without sacrificing those game-day views.

The small home office features a European-designed Murphy bed/bookcase combo, pictured above.

Entry & Kid Zone

In the entry we designed organized storage solutions for coats, shoes, backpacks, and dog accessories.

The second floor had an empty sitting room our clients wanted to turn into a “work and play” zone for their daughters. A built-in desk with fun pink chairs is the perfect space for for homework and arts & crafts while an easy-clean rug and comfortable seating nearby create a cozy lounge area for playtime and storytime.

Each level of the townhouse now reflects thoughtful zoning: spaces for family connection, independent work/play, and private retreats. The design marries practicality with personality—from playful pink accents to rock-and-roll-inspired basement styling—ensuring every member of the family has a place to feel at home.

The Vertical Blinds Are Killing Me Condo

The Vertical Blinds Are Killing Me Condo

The Vertical Blinds are Killing me condo

LOCATION
Toronto

Our client, a young professioanl, had been living in his downtown Toronto condo since University and wanted to replace his thrifted dorm room decor with quality pieces that better fit the space. 

With a successful YouTube channel doing commentary on popular TV shows, he also needed a comfortable space to work without distraction and glare from the massive windows.

In the bedroom we removed the desk as a second bedroom was being converted into a home office allowing the bed to move away from the window. Nightstands, bedside lighting, wall decor and new blackout shades were added to create a more sophisticated space.

In the living room a custom condo-sized sofa creates a comfrotable space for watching TV while the coffee table features a lift-up top allowing it to double as a laptop desk. The vertical blinds were all removed to allow for motorized blackout shades to be installed on the windows and patio doors.

The What Do We Do With This Empty Room

The What Do We Do With This Empty Room

The
What-do-we-do-with-this
Empty Room

LOCATION
Newmarket

When a professional couple with two young boys moved into their home in Newmarket, one beautiful room on the second floor sat empty for years. Without a clear function, it became a source of frustration. Was it a library? A lounge? A guest room?

They turned to us to help unlock the potential of this “bonus” space. The goal: transform it into a cozy, multi-functional room that could serve as a casual sitting area, a place for music and games, and a welcoming guest space when needed.

Standout Features

  • Dual-function window shades switch between light-filtering for daytime lounging and blackout for overnight guests.
  • A custom sleeper sofa offers comfort and versatility with a discreet pull-out design.
  • A plush armchair paired with a drinks table creates an inviting fireplace seating area – perfect for unwinding at the end of the day.

What was once an empty, undefined space is now a favourite spot for the whole family. The previously empty room now has a clear sense of purpose and a flexible design that makes it both everyday-friendly and guest-ready. Instead of an unused space the family now has a cozy, sophisticated area where they can unwind, knit, listen to music, or gather for board games.

The Mid-Mod Main Bathroom

The Mid-Mod Main Bathroom

The Mid-Mod Main Bathroom

LOCATION
Newmarket, Ontario

For our clients, a couple planning their retirement, updating their 1970s home was about more than style – it was about bringing the house back to its roots. The bathroom had both been renovated by previous owners in ways that felt dated and disconnected from the home’s mid-century origins.

We were tasked with reimagining this  important space with a cohesive mid-century modern aesthetic: warm walnut tones, crisp white finishes, and playful details inspired by the clients’ love of travel, art, and textiles.

We re-configured the layout to remove unnecessary wheelchair-accessible features, and created room for bathtub/shower combo. The new vanity adds plenty of stroage and the tub niche features a teal mosaic tile textile prints – a nod to our client’s love of sewing and quilting.

The Turret Townhouse

The Turret Townhouse

The Turret Townhouse

LOCATION
Pickering

Transitional Dream Home Near Lake Ontario

After up-sizing to their dream townhouse near the lake, our retired clients wanted interiors that reflected both the coastal surroundings and their lifestyle. Passionate bridge players and community volunteers, they envisioned spaces for entertaining, relaxing, and enjoying daily routines.

Living & Dining Area

Standout Features

  • Modern leather recliners for comfort and durability without sacrificing style
  • The custom sofa was upholstered in a wave-textured fabric, a nod to the lake-side setting
  • Antique chairs once belonging to our client’s mother were reupholstered and given new life
  • The whimsical metal drinks table

On the main floor we wanted to create a light-filled, functional space with distinct entertaining zones. The fireplace area would act as the primary living room while the attached sunroom could serve both as a bridge-playing hub and a casual dining spot.

Casey’s Favorite Detail:

“The chicken-leg drinks table. It was such a fun, unexpected piece, and our bird-loving client adored it so much she nearly squealed when she first saw it.”

Third Floor Loft

Our clients asked us to reimagine their empty loft space into a secondary TV lounge, home office, and plant-filled retreat. We paired a sleek white desk with a plush leather executive chair and two banks of storage units to create a functional work space while a custom sectional sofa and glass coffee table anchor the opposite end of the room.

This project began just before the COVID-19 lockdowns, which extended procurement and installation timelines. Despite these delays, careful project management ensured the spaces came together seamlessly.

The main floor living room and sunroom now offer flexible zones for both entertainment and relaxation – so successful that the design won a Bronze Award at the 2022 DDA Awards in the Open Concept Spaces category.

Upstairs, the loft has become a multifunctional retreat: bright, green with plants, and adaptable as both a home office and a cozy secondary lounge.

The Elegant Entry

The Elegant Entry

The Elegant Entry

LOCATION
Pickering

Out clients contacted us to help them style their grand front entry. While they had some pieces already (cradenza, mirror, art) the space felt unfinshed and was missing the final styling elements that would give it more personality.

To the main (lower entry) we added small decorative touches that are also functional including a box for mail/important papers and a small dish for keys and change. A new runner on the stairs coordinated with the upstairs carpet and made the staircase feel wider. To the upper hallway we added visual interest with a tailored bench and small table while a long runner helps to soften the hardwood floors.