08/10/2026
A renovation doesn’t always mean starting over. Sometimes the best spaces begin with deciding what deserves to stay.
This ensuite had beautiful reclaimed prairie-elevator fir timbers that were part of the character of the home, but the room itself had become dark, dated and no longer worked particularly well for the homeowners.
Our goal was to honour those existing timbers while creating an ensuite that felt brighter, cleaner and more current.
The seldom-used tub between the two vanities was removed, allowing us to rethink how that space could actually serve our client. During our conversations, we learned that she had been doing her makeup tucked into a far corner of the walk-in closet. So rather than simply replacing what was there, we incorporated a dedicated makeup desk between the vanities, right where it belonged.
The toilet was enclosed in a private water closet, and a leftover metal and glass transom from the original built home were repurposed for the transom along with an etched glass door creating a detail that feels as though it had always been there.
And because our client loves colour, we didn’t shy away from it. A striking quartzite became the feature of the new shower and vanity countertops, balanced with soft grey limestone tile floors, blue/green wall tile and trim pieces, clean-lined cabinetry and the warmth of the original reclaimed wood.
The result is a room that feels completely different, without losing the character that made the home special in the first place.
That is so much of what we do at Ellen Walker Design Group—listen carefully, understand how our clients really live, and find the opportunities that aren’t always obvious at first glance.
Beautiful design isn’t simply about choosing beautiful things. It’s about creating a home that works beautifully for the people who live there.
📸 Phil Crozier
👷 sveacontracting
