City Homes
Olivia Botrie Renovates Her Sister’s Home With Fun And Energetic Style
Published on October 16, 2024

Some say business and family don’t mix but, for Jenna and Olivia Botrie of Toronto design firm Dart Studio, it’s just another day at the office. “Olivia’s the designer and I handle the business side of things,” says Jenna, who recruited sister Olivia to renovate her own home. “Olivia knows what we like, so it was easy to hand over our trust.” In 2018, Jenna and her husband, Matt Shadbolt, who works in wealth management, purchased their home in Toronto’s Danforth neighborhood knowing it needed a renovation.
Though the transitional brick house had great bones, it was dark and had an impractical layout for a busy family. “When you walked in the door, there was nowhere to put your stuff,” says Jenna. “Instead of a front hall closet there was a tiny powder room.” With Jenna about to welcome baby number three, they knew they were going to need more space and better flow. By 2022, they were ready to get started. The sisters, along with the team at Dart Studio, spent six months planning a renovation that would bring function, feeling and lots of practical storage to the home.
Scroll down for a look inside this fun and energetic house designed by Olivia Botrie!

Jenna’s focus was on making the main floor great. This meant moving the powder room and carving out a proper entry with a dedicated space for coats and shoes, relocating the entrance to the basement stairs for better flow, and building an addition to create space for an open kitchen, banquette and living room. “With three kids at home, it’s important to have good sight lines,” says Jenna. “When I’m in the kitchen, I can see them no matter where they are.”

The moody kitchen was inspired by a past Dart Studio project Jenna loved. “I liked the idea of a dark kitchen that felt warm,” says Jenna. The custom cabinets were painted in Studio Green by Farrow & Ball, a new reeded wood island was brought in and brass elements such as the faucet, hardware and vent hood cladding added extra warmth. A pantry and hidden appliance garage provided much-needed storage and functionality.

A new fireplace insert in the living area, one of Jenna’s wish list items, creates a cosy main-floor hub in fall and winter. The living room palette is decidedly light. “There’s a nice transition moving from the dark kitchen to the bright sitting area,” says homeowner Jenna Botrie.

Next, they had to create a vibe. “Jenna is fun and energetic, and I wanted the space to reflect that,” says Olivia. A whimsical floral wallpaper in the dining room was originally selected for the powder room but, when Jenna and Matt saw it, they wanted to go bigger. “We loved it and suggested using it in the dining room,” says Jenna.

The dining room’s whimsical floral wallpaper worked with the existing stained glass windows and served as inspiration for other jewel tones used throughout the house. Putty-hued trim and wainscotting grounds the space.

The principal bedroom is painted a rich aubergine. “We wanted the walls to bring a moment of drama,” says Olivia.

The kids bathroom is light and bright with watery blue and white tile and a hard-wearing vanity. A punchy shower curtain adds a pop of pattern.

Brass lighting, hardware and plumbing fixtures add to the jewel box appeal.

“This is where everyone ends up gathering,” says Jenna. “It’s close to the food and right in the middle of the
action,” adds Olivia. “It’s what makes this the perfect house for entertaining friends — and family!”
Niamh Barry
House & Home
Olivia Botrie