Lucie Pitt, Author at Versa Style Design

Nov 26 2021

5 things to do before removing a wall

An open floor plan is definitely the current home design trend. But tearing down an interior wall to open up the space can be risky and should not be taken lightly.

Structural or load-bearing walls support the roof, floors and non-structural walls. They keep the house standing and, therefore, are vital. So before knocking down a wall, find out whether or not it is load-bearing.

Here are five tips to avoid disaster.

1. Determine whether the wall is structural

The blueprints or building plans for the house – available from your municipality if you don’t already have a copy on hand – will indicate the location of supporting beams and structural walls. There are also signs in the house that can help you identify them. For example, check in the basement to see if there’s a wall or an I-beam directly below the wall you’d like to remove. If the two parallel partitions run the entire length of the building, then your targeted wall is indeed load-bearing.

The direction of the roof trusses or the floor joists can provide another clue: If they run perpendicular to the targeted wall, the latter is definitely structural. For peace of mind, it’s highly recommended that you consult a building professional such as a structural engineer or licensed general contractor. Your house’s structural integrity and your own safety depend on it.

2. Open up the wall

Once you’ve determined the type of wall you’re dealing with, the next step is to find out what’s inside. Use a utility knife (never brute strength) to cut out an opening.

Proceed cautiously so as not to damage what you might find within, like electrical wires, water pipes, heating or vent ducts, or some other surprise or two if your house is several decades old.

If you do find something, be sure to call in a professional electrician or plumber who can safely remove or relocate anything unexpected. This will inevitably involve extra costs, but it’s necessary. A word of advice: Contact the professionals ahead of time to avoid delays.

3. Support the load temporarily while the wall is being removed

Removing a structural wall requires careful planning. Before proceeding, you must absolutely install a support beam or pillar – from floor to ceiling – to bear the load while the wall is being demolished. This will prevent damage to the structural integrity of your home.

A tip: If the wall in question is used to support the roof, it’s preferable to remove it in summer rather than winter because any accumulated snow on the roof will increase the load on the temporary support beam.

4. Replace the load-bearing wall

Once the wall is demolished, you will need other means to support the weight of the level above, such as ceiling beams and pillars on either side of the new opening. Note that these replacement structures don’t all have the same strength and rigidity, so make sure the weight is properly distributed to prevent the roof or floor from sagging, either in the short or long term.

Also, the new beams and pillars must extend all the way to the basement foundation to ensure overall stability. The job of assessing load-bearing capabilities and the related construction work to be done is complex and requires professional attention. Consult a structural engineer or a licensed general contractor. For good references, contact Versa Style Design.

5. Factor in extra expenses

The project doesn’t end with the wall removal. There are still repairs necessary to make everything match throughout the house. These will include redoing or patching the floor, filling the gap left in the ceiling (for example, with a strip of gypsum board), fixing the joints, and repainting.

This work should be planned ahead of time and be included in the renovation budget, with extra allowances if you plan to have them done professionally.

You would like to adopt some of these ideas in your own space but you don’t know where to start?

Contact us to transform your home or office according to your style, your budget and your specific needs. By discussing your project we can provide you with relevant information concerning our services, the process and our design fee.

Click here to contact us.

Home Renovations

Apr 12 2021

Office Ideas: Great Storage Components for your Workspace

There is an increasing demand for functional offices in homes and in corporate settings. But functionality is not the only factor on my clients’ wish lists. They also want office furniture that is stylish, has professional polish, and that looks unique, fresh, and sometimes… fun! Unfortunately, good-looking, and functional home-office components are not available on every street corner or even easily accessible online. After searches for products that met their storage requirements and fit in with their personal style came up short, clients contacted me for help.

With time, I developed partnerships with manufacturers that sell to the ‘trade’ (not to public consumers). These manufacturers have a vast choice of stylish and durable office furniture collections that you will never see in stores and on websites. The average stores and their websites reflect standard office set-ups that all look the same. They are either dark and masculine, or white and cheap with little or no design style integrated in the components, finishes or colours.

If you have been searching for office furniture that is unique, exceptionally durable, and beautiful enough to integrate anywhere, here is a sampling of what is available from my partners and vendors.

This is a wonderful modular system, with as many possibilities and configurations as you need. It is so good-looking that it would fit nicely integrated in your living room or any common area. The structure is constructed out of oak wood in a cream-coloured finish. The legs and posts are made of steel and coated with a Champagne Gold. The handles are made of Aluminum and the drawers are all soft-close. There is a secure anti-tipping kit included. The chair, made of wood and weaved fabric is extremely comfortable, and the artwork, from a Montreal artist, creates a focal point and adds a hit of colour.

Enjoy high productivity with this eye-catching desk and filing cabinet. They are covered in bonded leather with a textured shagreen finish and the iron structure and handles are finished in antique brass. Two drawers in the desk offer ample storage. The chair, made of wood, brass and durable fabrics is stylish and comfortable. The table lamp is adjustable and the area rug, in blue, white and grey anchors the office set up and adds colour and visual interest. In addition to blue, this collection would look fabulous with any colour palette, including pastels.

If your favourite style is rustic-industrial, then this look is great. The components are all durable with plenty of professional polish but with added pizzazz. The large blue area rug picks up on the tones in the artwork by a Montreal artist. The adjustable industrial-style desk lamp compliments the look and ensures plenty of light for the work surface. Furniture collections and accessories like these are not for sale in your average office supply store. They are not safe or standard enough…. which is precisely why you need a designer with a network of ‘to-the-trade’ suppliers.

With this white high-gloss collection of furniture, my client wanted an office that included pastel colours and a space with a light and airy vibe. However, this white lacquer and stainless-steel collection would be just at home with more prominent colours or simply neutral shades such as beige, taupe or grey. The marble lamp, original artwork and quilted white leather swivel chair are perfect for this palette and style. Chic, functional, uncluttered and very professional.

If you love rich wood tones with accents of warm metals, then you will love this office set up. There is a great combination of closed storage for hiding away clutter, but also enough open shelving for quick and easy access to those items that you frequently use during your work week. Crafted from raw umber oak veneer with three soft closing drawers for ample storage. Brushed gold iron hardware completes the look. Also available in a taupe oak veneer with a black iron frame. The artwork is from a Montreal artist and the area rug adds a touch of elegance and comfort.

You would like to adopt some of these ideas in your own space but you don’t know where to start?

Click here to contact us.

Mar 17 2021

Home Office Ideas: Where to integrate a workspace at home

Are you wondering how to fit a home office in your small space? You cannot afford to get rid of your guest room to integrate a functional zone? Are you frustrated with the lack of structure in your important documents? You need a functional, harmonious, uncluttered home workspace!

Choose a site

Your first and most important decision is choosing the location of your home office. Most of my clients in home design are convinced they have no room whatsoever for a home office, or if they do, they have trouble adapting a corner, or alcove into a functional work environment. They have difficulty visualizing and planning the area, and basically require some help setting it up.

Here are a few ideas along with some pointers to consider…

A home office in the guest room

Great privacy
Access to natural light
Electrical outlets already in place
Ideal for office with a computer
Make sure you have a strategy for storing away some of your work while guests are occupying the room.

A home office in the basement

Great privacy and quiet if the home cinema is in another section
Access to natural light; try to position the work zone near a window
Electrical outlets already in place
Many possibilities for storage

A home office in the hallway

Best suited for household management work due to a lack of privacy unless you live alone
You may need to add lighting and an electrical outlet
Accessible to all family members
Infrastructures are already in place

A home office under the stairs

Optimizes unused space
Excellent when storage needs are minimal
Requires a bit more renovation and design work for demolition, finishing, lighting, custom integrated storage and Internet and electrical connections.
Unless this is the basement, there may be traffic and distractions.

A home office in the living room

Suitable if you’re able to create a work corner away from other activities
Electrical outlets already in place

Consider office components that match the style of the rest of the space seeing as the work zone will always be in view.
Have a strategy for storing away work clutter and paperwork.

A home office in a spare closet

May be a candidate area if you do not require a large space
Work surface and storage can be cleverly incorporated
Can be easily hidden away behind a closed door when not in use

After you’ve pretty well decided the most logical place to set up your workspace, the next step in home office design is to start putting your plans on paper. You may consider consulting a trained professional for the development of personalized filing or storage systems that will be easy to maintain. They should also be connected to ergonomically minded specialists with the skills to recommend products tailored to your unique needs, considering your budget, and space limitations.

I rarely come across clients who are completely satisfied with their home workspace. Hopefully, some of these ideas will trigger your own brainstorming session and motivate you into action. One thing is for sure, you will certainly feel better when everything you need is accessible and functional, whether it be for your professional, administrative, or family budget needs, everyone likes to feel structure in this zone, but it also must be easy on the eyes, it is HOME, after all!

You would like to adopt some of these ideas in your own space but you don’t know where to start?

Click here to contact us.

Apr 29 2020

Kitchen Storage Ideas

When comes the time to plan your kitchen, it’s important to consider the best way of keeping it highly functional. Different accessories have been invented to make life easier in your kitchen! We will talk about the various storage accessories for kitchen cabinets: systems for your food pantry, narrow storage systems and upper and lower corner cabinet solutions.

The food pantry

There are a few different types of pantry organization systems. This first one is equipped with a standard hinged door and retractable drawers like these gorgeous oak wood ones by Fiorio. They can be independently pulled out for 100% access all the way to the back of the shelves.

There are also pantries with a door that is fixed to all of the shelves as a single unit. You pull out the fixed door and all of the shelves pull out at the same time. In both cases, you have a choice for the number of shelves, as well as their height and width.

Narrow retractable shelves

Narrow sliding shelves for upper or lower cabinets can also be attached to the door or to the ‘filler’ (the piece that fills a narrow empty space). The retractable shelves are attached to the front panel and are pulled out on an extended sliding support for 100% access to everything in the back. These storage systems can be adapted with baskets for holding utensils, spices, oils, trays and more.

Upper corner cabinets

I really love the idea of a corner tower positioned at a 45 degree angle like this. This type of configuration provides a larger surface area for storage as well as a really wide opening for easy access all the way to the back. You can also integrate drawers as well as an oven and/or microwave.

The piano-hinged door

As you can see, with this door, either standard fixed shelves or a rotating shelving system can be installed. Having the piano hinge door allows more room for the legs when standing and preparing meals. The wedge cut out of the shelves is also important because it allows the door to close within the 90 degree corner angle.

Power glide systems

Corner cabinets are often the least organized cabinets in a kitchen but now there are a multitude of solutions, each more functional than the last, such as the ‘Magic Corner’ system by Fiorio. This system works with or without a hinged door and allows the entire storage unit to independently slide out for 100% access to everything. There is also a version that is fixed to the door and pulls out automatically like this one.

Here, once again, is an example of an unhinged door equipped with attached wooden shelves. The shelves are fixed to the door which can be partially or fully pulled out for easy access to everything without having to contort yourself. The wooden touch adds undeniable charm! This gorgeous unit solves all the problems and looks good too!

You would like to adopt some of these ideas in your own space but you don’t know where to start?

Click here to contact us.

Nov 01 2019

Kitchen Island styles, ideas and tips

The kitchen island is on everybody’s wish-list when it comes to designing a new kitchen. There are many types of islands to suit every need. Some islands can be purchased ready-made, like at Ikea or Costco, for instance. But most islands are custom designed and include specific components such as a wine fridge, deep drawers, a microwave, an eating counter with stools, a niche for serving bowls and recipe books, and much more.

Since they help to maximize space with plenty of room for storage, you can have less cluttered countertops and more room for prepping food, eating, or helping the kids with their homework.

Whenever I create kitchen designs for my clients, the first thing I confirm is if there is, in fact, enough space for an island. You need to allow at least 36 to 44 inches of space between the perimeter of the island and surrounding furniture, counters and cabinets. This space ensures that there is enough room for people to move around the kitchen unobstructed, as well as allow you to open cabinets and appliances such as the stove, dishwasher and refrigerator.

I have designed some very narrow islands in small kitchens which were still functional, making sure there was plenty of room for circulation and functionality as a top priority.

Here are a few different kitchen island ideas to inspire you:

The shape of the island

As a general rule, an island should be the shape of the kitchen. If a kitchen is square, the island is usually square as well. Most kitchens are rectangular, so naturally, rectangular islands are very popular. If you have a very large kitchen you can have a U-shaped or L-shaped island. When your kitchen island design takes the shape-factor into consideration, the flow of the space feels inviting and it helps make the room feel more open.

To make an island more interesting, consider painting it a different tone or colour and go ahead and add unique colourful pendants for more personality.

Up-cycle an older piece of furniture

If you want to add instant charm to your new kitchen, consider integrating an old table or counter-work-bench. Is there an old forgotten piece in the basement or garage? If not, a trip to the flea market may open up new options to you. If the base of the island doesn’t work, we can change that with complimentary vintage wood, like the example here. An old weathered bench was given new rustic wooden legs for more height. This brings me to the next point.

The height of the island and the seating

If you buy a ready-made island that is too tall, or not tall enough, a good handy-man or carpenter can adjust it. You need to also consider the height of the stools in relation to the height of the counter. There are 3 heights in kitchen seating: standard table-height seats (for lower level counters) counter stools, and bar stools. Kitchen island counter heights vary as well, to accommodate taller people, shorter folks, pastry chefs, regular foodies, and everyone else.

For large kitchens; an island with an eating nook

If you have a very large kitchen, and you always dreamed of a custom eating nook, why not consider combining it within a u-shaped island. Just look at all that counter space! Nobody is getting in anyone else’s way and there is a lot of storage behind those benches. If you still need MORE storage, there are pull-out drawers underneath the seating.

Plumbing can be installed to accommodate a sink and dishwasher. Clearing up the table is as easy as handing it over the counter, where the sink is already waiting.

Also for large kitchens; an L-shaped kitchen island

L-shaped kitchen islands pack a double whammy; they have plenty of space for food prep, and a whole other section for eating, socialising, crafts or homework. They require very large kitchens that are more square than rectangular. Because of its sheer size, clean-up time may take a little longer, but you will never, ever complain that you don’t have enough counter space again!

Compact kitchen islands

If your kitchen is very small, but you really have your heart set on adding a kitchen-island, then consider small-scale options, which can include an added butcher block, wheels and open shelving for easy access to your small appliances or serving platters. Often very charming, these tiny islands can be extremely functional, offering extra storage space and a pretty decent additional work surface. They are also much less expensive than a fixed or custom kitchen island. When you’re done, you can roll them away.

You would like to adopt some of these ideas in your own space but you don’t know where to start?

Click here to contact us.

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Design Services

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Bring your design to life with Lucie.

Initial Consultation

5 things to do before removing a wall

1. Determine whether the wall is structural

2. Open up the wall

3. Support the load temporarily while the wall is being removed

4. Replace the load-bearing wall

5. Factor in extra expenses

Office Ideas: Great Storage Components for your Workspace

Home Office Ideas: Where to integrate a workspace at home

Choose a site

A home office in the guest room

A home office in the basement

A home office in the hallway

A home office under the stairs

A home office in the living room

A home office in a spare closet

Kitchen Storage Ideas

The food pantry

Narrow retractable shelves

Upper corner cabinets

The piano-hinged door

Power glide systems

Kitchen Island styles, ideas and tips

The shape of the island

Up-cycle an older piece of furniture

The height of the island and the seating

For large kitchens; an island with an eating nook

Also for large kitchens; an L-shaped kitchen island

Compact kitchen islands

Montreal Kitchen
Design Services

Are you located in the Greater Montreal Region?

Versa Style Design
Lucie Pitt

Interior Design & Renovations

Design Blog

1. Determine whether the wall is structural

2. Open up the wall

3. Support the load temporarily while the wall is being removed

4. Replace the load-bearing wall

5. Factor in extra expenses

Choose a site

A home office in the guest room

A home office in the basement

A home office in the hallway

A home office under the stairs

A home office in the living room

A home office in a spare closet

The food pantry

Narrow retractable shelves

Upper corner cabinets

The piano-hinged door

Power glide systems

The shape of the island

Up-cycle an older piece of furniture

The height of the island and the seating

For large kitchens; an island with an eating nook

Also for large kitchens; an L-shaped kitchen island

Compact kitchen islands

Montreal KitchenDesign Services

Are you located in the Greater Montreal Region?

Versa Style Design Lucie Pitt

Interior Design & Renovations

Design Blog

Montreal Kitchen
Design Services

Versa Style Design
Lucie Pitt