Intrinsic Designs + Build Group

Amazing people and service. We were very happy with the work we had done with Cheryl and Calvin. Wonderful people that truly work hard to understand what you envision for a home. Would highly recommend for your next home project!

Cheryl and Calvin were brought on to remodel our 12-yr old condo. Although the existing layout was functioning well, it needed a refresh to keep up with the latest trends in the condo market, for better enjoyment of our unit, as well as increasing property value. And boy, did they ever deliver!While we had a pretty good design sense of what we wanted, Cheryl and her team really took it to the next level in added/improved design. Overall project execution, workmanship, timeliness, and cost projections were very well managed compared to other condo reno stories that we have heard.We are now re-inviting friends after the reno, and all have commented on how the space feels bigger and brighter. Everyone loves the new hardwood floors which would have been a nightmare to pick without Cheryl’s help. The kitchen now gleams with silky white cabinets which have been height-extended to minimize bulkheads above. The overall effect feels like the kitchen ceiling was raised, even though it was actually lowered by 4.5 inches for a drop ceiling for pot lights. The drop ceiling also featured a unique trough to help hide unsightly condo speaker, smoke/CO/heat detectors that could not be moved or covered. And we were able to squeeze in a much dreamed-about wine fridge in the kitchen island!Both bathrooms now feature large rectangular wall/floor tiles which really increase space visually. Despite tight spaces and concrete wall limitations in condos, they managed to figure out how to accommodate our wish list of having seamless bath wall niches for small items, which look and function great. The ensuite bath now also has heated floor tiles. To accommodate the slight extra height of the new floor due to the thickness of the heating pads, the wood floor leading up to the ensuite was sloped so smoothly that it’s barely noticeable.There are three main unique features to the reno. First is the feature wall in the master bedroom with large textured wood laminate panels that are seamlessly put together. The wall has built-in wall lamps, bedside switches, and can double as a headboard for the bed. Second is the built-in panoramic electric fireplace (featuring very realistic-looking flames) in the living room which replaced an existing store bought standalone fireplace that was showing its age. The new fireplace is surrounded by a gorgeous porcelain material custom fitted into the space. The dramatic flow of the natural veins in the porcelain is carefully preserved when the material was being cut to wrap around the top and sides of the mantel. The third feature is an art display wall niche near the entrance, which is undoubtedly the most unique and the jewel of the entire reno. The niche features a rectangular shape, wood laminate insets, LED back lighting, but with a very narrow trough leading to the ceiling to draw the light and eye up for dramatic effect. The trough proved to be a tough build logistically, but they managed to do it! The idea is to have a space for a rotating piece of display art, which can also be an iPad display as it features a USB charger. The result is brilliant and stunning!From the get-go, we wanted to feel as if we moved into a new condo … without moving. Cheryl and Calvin have certainly succeeded in doing so!