Before & After
A Mid-Century Revamp Adds Personality and Comfort To This Toronto Home
Published on June 27, 2025
Designer Emilia Wisniewski of Studio 1Nine1 carried out a top-to-tail renovation on this home in Toronto’s Little Italy, transforming a cold and ho-hum space into one brimming with personality and comfort. Over the course of four months, she refreshed the kitchen, finessed the living room and warmed up the bedroom. Get her top design dips below, plus, learn how much they spent on the reno.
Kitchen Refresh
Major Moves
- Refaced the cabinet fronts
- Replaced the mosaic backsplash with a rich green tile
- Swapped out the white quartz counters with darker quartz on the perimeter
- Installed a sleek vent hood insert
- Added a new faucet on the island
- Used a mix of materials and colours to visually expand the space
What They Spent
Key costs (approximate) include:
- Vent hood insert, $1,089
- Faucet, $990
- Backsplash, $438
Transformational Element: The backsplash brings the kitchen to life.
Related: Studio 1Nine1 gives this family home a functional facelift
The kitchen, before.
Finesse a Living Room
Major Moves
- Swapped out big-box and DIY cabinets with custom cabinets in a light walnut
- Designed a mantel with a limewash finish
- Installed an electric fireplace
- Wrapped the walls in bouclé wallpaper
- Added new upholstered furniture in durable fabrics, as well as new window coverings and accessories
What They Spent
Key costs (approximate) include:
- Wallpaper, $4,262
- Drapery fabric, $1,950
- Electric fireplace, $1,575
Read More: Lynda Reeves explains the design moves that make this living room work
The living room, before.
Warm Up a Bedroom
Major Moves
- Wrapped the room in blue hemp grasscloth
- Added a new bed frame in burnt umber velvet to complement the other elements in the room
- Added new floors, lighting and accessories
What They Spent
Key costs (approximate) include:
- Wool drapery fabric, $2,520
- Wallpaper, $2,131
- Queen bed frame, $2,099
- Table lamp, $399
Three Must-haves To Complete This Look:
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- Millwork
- Grasscloth
- Drapes
These custom elements elevate the space to great effect
The bedroom, before.
The bedroom before, reverse view.
Valerie Wilcox (portrait, interiors)
House & Home
Cat Therrien
Emilia Wisniewski, Studio 1Nine1