This house reignited my passion for building. I bought the house in 2003. In 2016, we started the process of renovation. By this time, I was married with 2 young children, and my parents were living in the basement. We were cramped and frustrated. We either had to list it and get something bigger or renovate and love it. The market was beginning to climb and prices of a bigger home were out of reach. We had no choice but to change a few things to be content with the space.
I called around for a few contractors and did not like the process. Quotes came in very vague and didn’t meet the value. Others didn’t even get back to me. After unsuccessfully committing to a contractor, I decided I would do it myself.
I watched a few Youtube videos on how to build an IKEA kitchen. I started the layout process and I loved it! The detail of customization to every drawer and cabinet was impressive. My wife and I designed for space and function and results were beyond our expectations. Our goal was to maximize the space with storage and simplicity. What started as a small, galley kitchen, became our dream kitchen. Cooking and entertaining became exciting again. Eventually, I remodelled the bathrooms, hallway, entry, and backyard. We met our goals and loved our home even more.
As much as we loved this home, it was still not large enough for our growing family. In 2018, we eventually found a larger home that would meet all of our needs. It needed to be fixed up, but I was ready for the challenge. We sold in November 2018, and moved in January 2019.
I am very proud of the work done at Aylmer. It would be the beginning of my journey as a carpenter.
