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David Small Designs
  • About UsWe believe that transformative design involves a well-considered, practical use of space. Learn more about our design philosophy, our team and our award-winning projects.Modern home with steel column, wood soffit and stone siding.
  • Architectural Design ServicesTo us, a home is a platform for dreams and ambitions. We specialize in designing custom homes and realizing dynamic renovations that perfectly reflect our clients’ lifestyle aspirations.Contemporary custom home with wood soffit, stone wall and black trim.
  • Interior Design ServicesA home’s interior should interact seamlessly with its architectural façade and natural surroundings, while being the perfect space for a family to live and thrive.Modern floating staircase with wood treads, glass railing and wood beams.
  • Our PortfolioExplore our modern, transitional and traditional home designs—and experience the Natural Modern design aesthetic in its many forms.Contemporary front entry with concrete steps, wood soffit and orange door.
  • Get StartedOur team is waiting to help you realize your distinct home design vision. Let’s take the road less travelled together.
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Modern home with wood front door, corner windows and floating roof.

The Architectural Toolbox

June 23, 2020/in Design Showcase /by Rebecca Muise

A well-designed home means all the pieces were put together just right. You can’t put your finger on what makes it great, because it isn’t just one thing. Its many decisions, thoughtfully made, that result in a cohesive vision. When the architectural tools of materials, colours, scale and proportion are properly deployed, the result is a beautiful home, regardless of style.

Selection and application of materials are a crucial part of accentuating and enhancing the desired architectural style. Materials work in tandem with other components to create interest and draw attention to detail. The juxtaposition of crisp details with textured finishes adds complexity and interest to the façade.

Modern home with wood front door, corner windows and floating roof.In this Natural Modern home, a mix of smooth, refined materials, like metal panel and glass, are contrasted with rugged stone and natural wood.

Exterior colour selection can make or break the design. Colour can be used to emphasize an architectural style, call out a detail, channel the homeowner’s personality, or evoke a certain mood. It’s not just about what colours are chosen, it’s about how they are applied. For this home, colour was used to emphasize the Arts & Crafts architectural style. The contrasting sage green serves as the key background colour, allowing the details to be accentuated in white.

Custom home with stone skirt, white frame windows and stone chimney.A clean but dramatic colour scheme creates interest and an Arts & Crafts appeal in our project, The Window Box.

Site integration is all about connecting building with land. Elements such as views, topography and sun orientation are critical factors in the design exercise. A key part of the home design process is creating a home that is unique and custom to the land. For this Seattle design, it became apparent that the topography of the land would dictate the narrative of the home. Three storeys were required to accommodate the living space, featuring a glass office on stilts, and an above grade basement leading to a back walkout.

Seattle home with floor to ceiling window, natural stone and wood garage door.Our Sloped in Seattle design allowed for unique aspects of the property to be showcased.

Scale and proportion. The balance of thoughtful, functional space with aesthetic appeal. Scale is about size and its relationship with the human form, while proportion is about balance and the relationship between all the components. Both are crucial in great architecture. The best example of this is a renovation, where the design should be seamless, unclear where the existing home ends and the new addition begins. The goal of this Mississauga renovation was challenging: to add a second storey without overpowering the property and surrounding neighbourhood. The success in scale is seen with the embedded gables, a staple of the arts & crafts architectural style.

Home renovation with wood garage door, natural stone and white trim.This Mineola Makeover conveys a sense of coziness and approachability using a split level second floor hidden in the tiered roofline.

To view more of our home designs, click here to view our portfolio.

https://www.davidsmalldesigns.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/natural-modern.jpg 900 1600 Rebecca Muise https://www.davidsmalldesigns.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/David-Small-Designs-Logo.svg Rebecca Muise2020-06-23 19:58:272020-06-23 20:00:22The Architectural Toolbox
Traditional house with gray siding, white frame windows and natural stone.

Recently Completed: The Craftsman Reno

August 20, 2015/in Design Showcase /by Jack Shepherd

This before picture is all too familiar. When driving through suburban neighbourhoods across the GTA you are guaranteed to see a version of this 1970s 2-storey home. With craftsman architecture as the inspiration, this home was given a complete overhaul.

Visit our Additions & Renovations portfolio for more before and after images of The Craftsman Reno.

https://www.davidsmalldesigns.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/image4.jpeg 900 1902 Jack Shepherd https://www.davidsmalldesigns.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/David-Small-Designs-Logo.svg Jack Shepherd2015-08-20 14:31:252020-06-12 14:55:46Recently Completed: The Craftsman Reno
Mississauga renovation with shingled windows, green shutters and white trim.

The Side Split Renovation

October 24, 2012/in News /by admin

The side split emerged in the 1950s. With the evolution of suburbia and the positive post-war economy came the demand for bigger, better homes. The solution was “splitting” the then common ranch-style home: the garage and bedrooms were on one side and the other side of the house held the main living area, half a storey above the garage level and half a story below the bedroom level. These multiple levels were obvious from the front elevation.

Credited with initially inventing the side split, acclaimed American architect Frank Lloyd Wright first featured a split design in his Prairie-style homes in the early 1900s. While the 1950s side split was a far cry from FLW’s design, a similar philosophy was employed: open living space with half floors dividing living and private areas. Popular into the 1960s, eventually the side split fizzled as homeowners began demanding more grandeur in home design.

The presence of side splits is still prominent in neighbourhoods across the GTA. However, these neighbourhoods that were new developments in the 1950s are now established neighbourhoods with beautiful mature trees and a pedestrian-friendly feel. Today these neighbourhoods are in high demand, unfortunately this style of design isn’t.

We meet with new clients every month who are considering a side split or already own one. They love the neighbourhood and the lot size, but usually aren’t happy with the exterior façade or interior layout. With the right design, even a dated side split can be renovated to match the vision and style of the client.

Accurately titled “The Side Split”, take a look at this side split renovation we showcase in our portfolio. It’s a great example of how architectural design can completely revive a dated design. While this renovation was strictly an exterior upgrade, there are numerous possibilities for renovating the interior of a side split.

If you’re interested in adding curb appeal to your side split or renovating the interior to better meet the needs and lifestyle of your family email info@davidsmalldesigns.com or call 905-271-9100.

Before

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After

https://www.davidsmalldesigns.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/image-4.jpg 900 1920 admin https://www.davidsmalldesigns.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/David-Small-Designs-Logo.svg admin2012-10-24 01:37:482020-06-12 16:14:01The Side Split Renovation

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