This Willow Drive living room restoration brought new life to a home that had seen very few updates since the 1980s.

The project began with a complete demolition of the space, taking the walls and ceiling back to the framing. With everything exposed, we were able to address what was behind the finishes rather than simply covering it up. New insulation was installed in the walls and ceiling, electrical was updated for the new lighting and entertainment centre, and uneven ceiling joists were corrected before new drywall was installed. An advanced smart vapour retarder replaced the traditional polyethylene vapour barrier, providing a more modern approach to moisture management.

The centrepiece of the room is a completely custom-built entertainment wall. Large-format tile, clean-profile tile edging and black walnut slats were combined to create a warm, contemporary feature around the fireplace. Both the television and fireplace areas were recessed into the wall, adding depth and giving the entire installation a more integrated, architectural appearance. A custom lower console provides open storage while maintaining the clean lines of the design.

Modern flat-stock casing was installed around the windows, giving the room a neo-traditional craftsman character—cleaner and more contemporary, while still feeling appropriate to the age and architecture of the home.

As a finishing touch, a solid black walnut bar top was added to the pass-through between the living room and kitchen. With room for stools on the kitchen side, it creates a casual breakfast nook while maintaining a clear view of the television—perfect for catching the morning news over coffee.

A unique finishing detail is the custom wall art beside the entertainment centre. Created by Steve Peckham, owner of Peckham Professional Contracting, the piece was handcrafted from leftover materials from the project and presented to the homeowners as a thank-you gift—a small piece of the renovation made especially for the people who call it home.

What began as a dated living room became a warmer, brighter and more functional space, combining modern building practices with custom craftsmanship and materials that complement the character of the original home.