Before & After: A Dull House Becomes A Bright & Functional Home

See how designer and homeowner Olivia Botrie of Dart Studio transforms a Toronto house into a bright family home with space-saving storage. The addition of a Velux skylight in the mudroom replaces an existing window and fills the space with natural light.
Presented by Velux
Design, Olivia Botrie, Dart Studio
dartstudio.ca/
@dartstudioinc
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[@100Arabia]

I love all the episodes by Olivia. Greetings from Palestine

[@nedwards2465]

YES!!!!

[@oakenheart]

هلا وغلا!!

[@mehxxx]

Praying for Palestine 🇵🇸 ❤️

[@martinhare6085]

Olivia who? I like to search more about her on youtube.

[@100Arabia]

@@martinhare6085type ( olivia botrie) you'll find her videos

[@luckystarship2275]

Very practical and informative video. I also hate sitting on stools - they give me back-ache, I need back support.

[@sgsge645]

Well she’s adorable.

[@timeandplace4114]

The addition of paneling to hide the doorway was brilliant. A green kitchen versus white is always a winner

[@dartstudioinc]

I debated the green kitchen long and hard but and thrilled with how it turned out!

[@nicoleeboo38]

She's hands down my favorite designer that you guys feature here. Everything she does is wonderful.

[@dartstudioinc]

That's so lovely. Thank you!

[@ediewall6360]

You have SUCH a good eye! The “ before “ was kind of a dump. Love the skylight and mudroom. I agree about stools at an island. Seem useless to me. The round dining room table lends softness. Thank you for showing us your gem of creation and letting us in your home. I would totally have you decorate for me.

[@heatherw.2751]

I love this lady’s style!!

[@ps4402]

Love that you nixed the stools at the kitchen island. You're so right, sitting at a dining room table in real chairs is so much more comfortable.

[@jocosus3]

I love Ms. Botrie's style and personality! She definitely needs her own HGTV show🙂

[@JanetCaterina]

I really appreciate how the camera work and the narrative are complementary and explain everything really clearly . Thank you.

[@d.h.2145]

This is a gem! This is the first house I would actually want to live in!

[@dartstudioinc]

wow! I'm flattered :)

[@heidihill2361]

I enjoy watching this designer, she is talented and has great personality.

[@brooklynredbird3298]

This is a REALLY beautiful and cozy renovation!! It makes my ADHD heart sing!! Every room is distinct, functional and has a purpose. I also love that she decided to go with color in the kitchen and away from a total open concept idea.

[@dartstudioinc]

haha love this comment and yes i'm obsessed with function :)

[@billharris-jb6qz]

@@dartstudioincI love your style, your house and your personality Olivia !! can you tell me where you purchased the tiles for your checkerboard floor ?

[@dartstudioinc]

@@billharris-jb6qz Thank you! They're from Deco-Tile :)

[@christellet79]

Love her. She appreciates her home. And love every bit of it.❤️

[@kstepk5003]

So good, she’s a gem

[@lyndamcdon]

Just beautiful. Everything makes sense and isn't too stuffy; it's approachable and elegant.

[@annemoore5453]

I LOVE that you kept the cozy layout and completely agree that a snug living space is so much more livable and inviting. I like the idea that I would entertain 120 people on the daily and require 5000 sf of space in my living room but in practice you are spot on!

[@scotsam7590]

I can't believe I'm going to say this; you've done a fantastic job. Beauty and logic all in one. I especially like the floor to ceiling kitchen cupboards / pantry. Most people have 10 or 12 inch gaps between the cupboards and the ceiling.

[@rockvarney3680]

I pause this video countless times to look into the details. Everything is just so well-planned. I learned so much!

[@dartstudioinc]

wow! Thank you :)

[@tryadifferenthan]

Can we also see the rooms? Can't get enough of it.

[@michaelmercurio2312]

Everything she does is beautiful. Love this space.

[@melisk5103]

Absolutely love this! Especially the hidden basement door concept. Everything is just incredible!

[@dartstudioinc]

Thank you!

[@TheresaElle]

Wow!!!!!! She thought of everything

[@sharanyanaidoo]

Olivia is my favourite ❤❤❤

[@jimandjudyc48]

Olivia, I love your style and your attention to detail; also, your insistence on "functionality." Wish you were in the US...I'd use you for sure! Lovely home.

[@libertylady8462]

One of the best Renos this channel has shown!

[@dartstudioinc]

wow! thank you

[@alinay3197]

I love everything she does! Great style!

[@marianne2645]

Talented yet practical designer! Her home is so thoughtfully-appointed and livable. Love it all!

[@dartstudioinc]

Woohoo! thanks for watching

[@itsHeatherKay]

Oh my gosh this gal is so likable.

[@dartstudioinc]

That's very kind. Thank you.

[@elizabethheatley22]

Love Olivia’s work, and her own renovation is so beautiful! With colour too!

[@nikoroo]

I absolutely love her energy! Great choices in detailing and concept too. Well done! 🙌🏽

[@claireadekanye]

only 6 months! WOW! This house is so gorgeous! I love how it has so many unique gems

[@lynnharrell9598]

Loved it!

[@cherisewiltshire5232]

She is such a great designer and this is no exception. Amazing 🤩

[@dartstudioinc]

Much appreciated :)

[@annjohnson8437]

This is my dream kitchen! The entire remodel is incredible! ❤

[@francineh.7825]

I absolutely adore everything that was done to this house! So beautiful!

[@dartstudioinc]

Thanks so much!

[@linjaysha]

Every single thing about this is fabulous! I love it!❤👍🏾

[@carolefreeman2544]

I agree about counter stools, no one wants to sit there. Closing the island at the back by making new storage is such a better idea. I think I will do that too! Thanks!

[@vickimaiorano5763]

Love everything about it.

[@queens6583]

I love this renovation and you can see it's a home well loved.

[@estelsaradop492]

Truly a great transformation

[@yushi911]

The new fireplace mantel is gorgeous…way better than the original one!

[@dartstudioinc]

I agree!

[@pollykatso397]

I love you Olivia, you and whatever you do!!!

[@dartstudioinc]

Thank you!

[@sunflower8035]

Love what this designer did to her home! And I love Pupper! My late sister’s dogs name was Pupper ❤. Don’t hear that to often.

[@kristacanales3148]

I love love this home. I love how cozy the small living room is. A lot of small living rooms get bad reps but this is the beauty of small living rooms make it cozy and functional. The flow of the house is awesome.

[@ginacervi]

So Beautiful Restful, Functional and well designed. Truly a home that is a sanctuary.

[@michellepereira2328]

The paint colors are really nice and there are so many beautiful details like the checkerboard floor,the stone fireplace,the paneled staircase wall. Everything makes sense.

[@Britbabe53]

Love this designer! Beautiful Reno!!

[@rulu3345]

Gorgeous, I like EVERYTHING!

[@dartstudioinc]

I'm blushing!

[@-OBELUS-]

Well done.

[@michelledehaen8997]

Woooow it turned out so gorgeous !!!! ❤💯👌👍👍Greetings from Belgium, Europe.

[@mangoakovukeya9690]

The kitchen colour is amazing. I love her.🤩🤩

[@dartstudioinc]

Thank you! 😍

[@sherrymcmurray174]

Absolutely beautiful… love your style

[@sherrystrong3305]

I am late to the party on this, but this is a beautiful space that is very practical too! Just lovely!

[@Thisnthat979]

Stunning

[@dartstudioinc]

Thank you!

[@rebeccalee5320]

Love it!

[@janishani1]

😃 Episodes featuring Olivia are true gems, guaranteed. Truly amazing that you are now showing your own house to us, grateful. It feels totally awesome. Congratulations on your new home on your beloved neighbourhood 😁🧡🤗 Bravo on the incredible work you putted up together with your wonder team. I truly can barely wait to come back for the update when the banquette is ready 😉😉👸🏻

[@dartstudioinc]

haha thank you! I'll give a tour when the banquette is installed :)

[@janishani1]

@@dartstudioinc Alright, big thanks in advance. In the meantime I am still obsessed with this episode and keep coming back for more inspo and insights. I truly love all the wallpapers chosen, specially the one in the powder room, it's sort of speaking words like: "Come here, darling, I got a hug of comfort to you." 😄😁🧡 If you don't mind me asking: is there any purpose for that gap over the hood cover? Apart from the function on the kitchens designed by your team I also appreciate a lot the storage and built-in divisions inside the drawers, cupboards, etc. Would you, please, consider uploading a shorts on your channel showing the storage divisons on that island, please?

[@dartstudioinc]

@@janishani1 Yes! Thanks for the great ideas. Lots of great tips and tricks coming soon :) Thanks for following

[@clairegates6064]

Absolutely beautiful !!!

[@gayathrivadivelu5432]

She is adorable!

[@katherineschexneider585]

Wow, this was wonderful. Olivia is a great presenter, and I love what she did with her house.

[@luchettepender6038]

Yes, yes, yes!

[@glenda7921]

Exquisite. Every choice was a lovely one.

[@snorlund1]

You have a beautiful home with thoughtful touches. Very well done! ❤

[@tanyam3090]

I would put reed glass on that back door. The Reno is fabulous!

[@alexandrailnyckyj6059]

A wonderful home. She made excellent decisions and now can enjoy

[@jocelynhardman6325]

I adore Olivia Botrie’s designs and will watch any video of her work. The reeded wood island combined with the green periphery cabinets was visually compelling, especially with the juxtaposed countertops. I also appreciate how she mixes styles, e.g., the mid-century modern lighting with the more traditional features of an historical home. In fact, given the state the house was in after being a rental made this project more of a restoration than simply a renovation. The hidden basement door was absolutely inspired! Who doesn’t want secret doors?! I would seriously watch hours of the full process and the design decisions made along the way, a la Sarah Richardson’s series. Please consider it!

[@dartstudioinc]

Thank you for your lovely comments. You tube channel coming soon... :)

[@dixielou4002]

@@dartstudioinc yay!!!! So glad to hear this news!!!!! I'll be an early subscriber eager to soak it all up!!!!

[@dartstudioinc]

@@dixielou4002 Appreciate that so much!!

[@nicoletaincze7614]

So beautiful..!!!

[@pman2916]

I quite like this house. Very nice and simple.

[@Soj61972]

Agreed. Good neighbours make life so much easier 😊

[@JessicaDessus]

I love that you guys did it before an after I love to see this

[@slucas6303]

Love the mud room colors.

[@dartstudioinc]

Me too, thank you!

[@mahsasalimi]

Love her videos.

[@klmbloom1368]

Very informative and useful tips.

[@nmbr6kid]

This is exquisite ❤ I rarely find a house I wouldn’t change something but this one rang all the bells for me. Wow 🤩

[@sundaygirlsez]

Great renovation! I especially love the cabinet color and powder room wallpaper.

[@FB-st1sl]

love this!

[@ddnz7]

❤I love it, beautiful

[@SeaTurtle515]

Beautiful home.

[@Isham246]

Love this

[@omradiant]

Great ideas here!

[@foudanovaru480]

I like it 😊

[@teresabell1014]

Very nice house ,love the dining room and kitchen.

[@diesellove]

great job.

[@user-yl2pe9dm7j]

Wonderful home, kitchen is so cool

[@jameslawson7225]

Your home is so beautiful. U are the best...👌

[@OrendaDesignStudio]

Amazing 🥰❤🥰

[@canada3163]

Everything is so beautiful, especially the kitchen! I wonder what the colour code for the kitchen cabinet is and I really want to copy it.

[@dartstudioinc]

It's Farrow and Ball Trenon No 292

[@canada3163]

@@dartstudioinc Thank you so much! Happy holiday !

[@robinmp8300]

Very nice, love the color pallet

[@sharonadlam3195]

Design with this level of functionality is scarce. It is a beautiful home and would be a pleasure to live in

[@josephinebrevig8748]

Nice and a playing it safe design.

[@zeroheroes4081]

Love the designs. Green & wood is my favourite colours of kitchen cabinets

[@zeroheroes4081]

I preferred the previous mantel though

[@jenniferprevost8]

Really lovely. Feels very warm and family friendly. I do wish there was more artwork though, but small detail.

[@dartstudioinc]

We are always adding more art! :)

[@cindybennett9923]

Your house is amazing! Your attention to detail is great, and definitely a difference maker in appearance and function. Also love your middle ground with color and neutrals. I could move in tomorrow; and I certainly would love to work with you. Bravo!!

[@dartstudioinc]

Thank you so much!

[@lizabetx483]

I love this kitchen much better than your previous home's "farmhouse kitchen". Midsized, functional and a classic design.

[@pinkapples33]

She’s adorable and so practical about the beautiful design decisions. Wonderful video and I’m so thrilled to see a gorgeous home that’s not 10,000sq ft 😂

[@THALOOTI]

Yes, you can live in normal size and comfortable.

[@angelbaby1811]

Skills! She completed all of that work in 6 months!? It’s beautiful to design your forever home.

[@dartstudioinc]

Contractors are amazing! I have all the trades to thank :)

[@dishappywithlife2556]

She is a speed talker!! Whoa 😮

[@janel1977blessed]

Nice

[@biankaphi9467]

Great place, I agree with all positive comments. I personally find it more practical to have a dining island. It ends up everybody stands around it, so why not to sit down…

[@natashapiontkowski4023]

Love the powder room wallpaper! Can you share the name? Thanks!

[@dartstudioinc]

It's Lulie Wallace from Memo Showroom. Thanks for watching!

[@ediewall6360]

Careful!!! I have symptoms from mold exposure and attended an online mold summit. NEVER do wallpaper EXCEPT on south facing EXTERIOR walls ONLY. Now if one lives in the desert , those rules probably do not apply. But mold can be invisible. Do you really want your whole family and pets exposed? The most toxic air we breathe , is in our homes. Unfortunately , decorators have not got the memo yet regarding how mold laden wallpaper is.