Before & After
A Dark and Dated Home Gets A Timeless Transformation
Published on June 27, 2025
A before and after project in Burlington, Ont., transformed this home from dark and dated to light and bright. Designers Erin Feasby (above, right) and Cindy Bleeks of Feasby & Bleeks Design spent 12 months updating the entryway and modernizing the family room. Find out what they spent and learn the designers’ major reno moves below.
Illuminate an Entryway
Major Moves
- Swapped out the tile with a large-scale, marble-look porcelain in a herringbone pattern
- Eliminated the angled transition between the tile and the original hardwood floors, extended the tiled area to the living room, then ran new hardwood up to the now straight transition
- Replaced the applied mouldings that created “wainscotting” with recessed panels, and updated the mouldings and trim
- Complemented the original lantern with new sconces, which were repeated further down the hall
- Painted the walls a creamy white
- Added two shagreen consoles and bone-inlay mirrors
What They Spent
Key costs (approximate) included the:
- Main-floor hardwood, $18,000
- Consoles, $4,500
- Sconces, $2,500
- Accessories, $1,800
- Porcelain, $1,500
The entryway, before.
Modernize a Family Room
Major Moves
- Brought the exterior’s Cape Cod-style indoors by cladding the raised ceiling in classic tongue-and-groove panelling for a coastal feel Designed custom built-ins and a fireplace surround
- Updated the gas fireplace insert
- Installed wide-plank European oak hardwood floors
- Brightened the walls with paint
- Added new lighting, furniture, a rug and window coverings.
What They Spent
Key costs (approximate) included the:
- Furniture and lamps, $28,000
- Built-ins, $24,00
- Accessories, $10,000
- Rug, $6,800
- Drapery fabric and fabrication, $5,000
- Fireplace insert, $4,000
- Custom throw pillows, $4,000
- Chandelier, $2,550
- Art lights, $2,080
Best Design Decision: Losing the earth-tone colour palette. Lightening everything up instantly transformed the space. Also, wrapping the built-ins and fireplace mantel in the perfect shade of blue made a huge impact.
The family room, before.
Moment Communications (portrait)/Valerie Wilcox (interiors)
House & Home
Erin Feasby and Cindy Bleeks, Feasby & Bleeks Design