This Queen Street West condo renovation pairs a bold interior by Sam Sacks Design with a renovation approach focused just as carefully on what cannot be seen. The project was recognized as a finalist for Best Condominium Suite Renovation at the RenoMark Renovator and Custom Homes Awards.

Behind the colourful finishes, Greening Homes prioritized healthier material selection and indoor air qualitythroughout the suite. Cabinetry, primers, paints, caulking, adhesives, plaster and countertops were selected to minimize potentially harmful emissions. EcoLogo-certified, zero-VOC adhesives, sealants and caulking were used alongside No-Added Urea Formaldehyde cabinetry interiors and Richlite countertops made from paper and natural resins.

Reducing energy and water consumption was another important part of the renovation. ENERGY STAR appliances, an induction cooktop and LED lighting were installed throughout, while window shades help reduce unwanted solar heat gain and the need for mechanical cooling. A water-efficient dishwasher and WaterSense-certified low-flow toilet further reduce the suite’s everyday water use.

Rather than automatically replacing existing materials, the project looked for opportunities to repair, refinish and reuse. Existing barn doors were refinished for the walk-in closet, the original cast-iron bathtub was refurbished, and damaged areas of the existing wood floor were repaired using custom-milled reclaimed elm. Together with careful construction-waste sorting, these measures helped divert 79% of project waste from landfill.

Even transportation to the downtown site became part of the project’s environmental strategy. Crew members cycled when possible and used Greening Homes’ electric vehicle for site travel, reducing the number of trips made using conventional combustion-engine vehicles.

The result demonstrates that a highly expressive interior can also be a healthier, lower-impact renovation, where material choices, reuse, energy efficiency and waste reduction are considered with the same attention as the visible design.

Project highlights: Award finalist · Condominium renovation · Healthy material selection · Zero-VOC products · NAUF cabinetry · Richlite countertops · Induction cooking · ENERGY STAR appliances · Water-efficient fixtures · 79% waste diversion · Reclaimed & refurbished materials · Low-impact site transportation