Budget
How A Nova Scotia Designer Used Her Discerning Eye And A Disciplined Budget To Get Her Dream Home
Updated on January 8, 2024
As any house hunter knows, having a little serendipity on your side makes all the difference. That was certainly true for designer Sappho Griffin, principal of Henhouse Interiors, who stumbled across her new home in Bedford, N.S., in 2017. “The owner ran a wonderful after-school program in the house, and I sent my kids to her a few times when I was in a pinch,” says Sappho. “She asked me to assess her house for sale and I was drawn to the layout, which was perfect for our family.” Knowing they had an inside advantage, Sappho and her husband acted quickly, and submitted an offer.
Built in the 1940s with original details like the decorative plaster ceilings still in place, the raised ranch house has two bedrooms (each with its own lounge) on the lower level for their two teens, along with a laundry room, full bath and storage room. The upper level houses the principal ensuite, a bedroom for their 10-year-old, two mudrooms and living rooms, the kitchen and dining room, as well as the office and powder room. “There was nothing that needed to change floor plan–wise,” says Sappho. “There were mostly only cosmetic changes to do, which was good, as I was building my design firm and didn’t want a large project.” As for the budget, she capped costs at $130,000 and set a realistic wish list. Using her discerning eye and a disciplined budget, she got the home of her dreams.
Keep scrolling for a look inside, plus get tips on budgeting for your own home renovation!
Some things, like new living room sofas, would have to wait — she re-covered a vintage set in natural linen for the time being — and the bathroom was just freshened up with paint.
The bulk of the reno budget, around $90,000, was allocated to the kitchen, with new flooring, cabinets, marble counters, open shelves and a walnut butcherblock island transforming the space.
The lower cabinets were stained for practicality. “Our family of five is active in the kitchen and a stained finish hides a lot of sins,” says Sappho.
Sappho’s Kitchen Reno Costs:
Contractor fees: $40,000
Cabinets: $20,000
Appliances: $15,000
Marble counters: $6,000
Custom island: $2,500
Lighting: Approx. $1,500
Sink: $1,200
Faucet: $900
Ceramic backsplash: Approx. $500
Sappho made the cutting boards herself, and the wooden spoons are from
a local market.
The breakfast nook off the kitchen has vintage office chairs recovered in a faux ostrich leather.
Once the reno dust settled, it was time to pack in the pretty. “In our last house, I used primary reds, blues and yellows because I was interested in folk art, but I needed a change — a more sophisticated palette with muted tones,” says Sappho, who admits it took some discipline. “I’m attracted to color, but I kept reminding myself that this house is soft and quiet, like an English cottage.” The antique chair in the living room is a Kijiji find, updated with a brushstroke- style fabric.
This rug was purchased from a local dealer 17 years ago.“Vintage rugs last forever, are easy to clean and can hide any spills or stains,” says the designer.
Sappho splurged on a handcrafted table for the dining room.
With no room in the budget (or desire) to buy everything new, she filled her 4,000-square-foot home with the Canadiana furniture she’s been collecting for the past 20 years, bohemian textiles and pottery from her mother’s collection.
Sappho’s cousin, designer Emily Griffin, also weighed in to share tips and processes. “When Emily was here visiting, I asked for her opinion on my bedroom because it wasn’t feeling right,” says Sappho. “She suggested removing some pattern and making the small space more neutral. I reupholstered my headboard in a natural woven and replaced the carpet with jute — now, pattern and color come from the bedding and vintage paintings, and I love how it feels.”
Old shell boxes and a vintage painting bring an East Coast vibe to the principal bathroom. Staying true to her own style has served Sappho well and, five years after renovating, there’s little she’d do differently. “I really love what we tackled and, though I’m ready for a few tweaks, the good bones are there.”
Keep scrolling for Sappho’s tips on how to budget for a reno!
How To Budget For A Reno
Think about resale value. “In our last home, we installed high-end windows but the eventual buyers didn’t care,” says Sappho, who kept the builder-basic vinyl windows in her new home.
Distil your goals and wish list. Be precise and stick to it as much as you can, so renovation costs and scope do not creep out of control.
Find Budget-friendly alternatives. Instead of artisanal tile, Sappho chose a ceramic option that looks handmade but costs a lot less.
Save for the next reno. In the principal bathroom, all she did was paint. This is a future project, and it was good enough for moving in.
Choose used over new. “I don’t have the budget to buy all-new, so I hunt for vintage pieces. They often have more soul and patina anyway.”
Janet Kimber
House & Home June 2022
Sappho Griffin