For those of you who read my column on a regular basis, you know without a doubt that my favorite thing is renovation.

Nothing is as challenging or as rewarding as taking a broken down, ugly space and creating something unique and beautiful in that same space.

You have some limitations in regards to size and current structure but if you can get that reno to fit, it can be a spectacular result.

I was visiting a former colleague who is considering listing her home to determine the price her house could list for. She has poured a great deal of time and effort into a renovation on this home and I hadn’t been to see it since the transformation so I was eager to take a look at what my fellow designer had created!

I was NOT disappointed! The house was gorgeous and her ideas were absolutely stunning which had re-coloured the kitchen cabinets and completely restored the bathrooms and pretty much converted every room in the house.

When we were deskmates we discussed her renovation and how to improve the look of her home.

One of the biggest issues for her was her tongue and groove pine ceiling which had yellowed and did not work well at all with her colour scheme.

I advised that she paint the ceiling which would modernize the look yet keep the texture and look of the wood. Ask me if I was delighted when I walked into her home and saw the vaulted wood ceiling with a fresh coat of paint layered on top? Yes, I absolutely was delighted and it looked fabulous (as I thought it would).

The entire living room and kitchen took on a coastal feel and soared above the spaces rather than feeling imposing and dark.

My friend also had the eyesore of yellowed oak cabinets which were still in great shape.

She opted for a paint finish in a charcoal black which she then sanded down at the high points to give an antiqued finish. Some new hardware, countertops (Formica, Mineral Jet) and backsplash tile and you could not recognize her kitchen! It was perfect because the kitchen layout was very functional so it didn’t need a brand new kitchen.

The biggest wow factor was her bathrooms!

They had been completely transformed and thoroughly glamorized and it was fantastic. Five star hotels had nothing on these white marble creations which were warm on the toes and amazing to the eyes. It was the combination of the beautiful tile and glittery fixtures which made the bathrooms beautiful but it was also the fit created for the uniquely spaced bathroom.

The old useless two-ft. linen shelf behind the door was fitted with custom cabinets and a beautiful countertop and is now being used as a perfume bar.

The innovation and customization of those rooms was very well done.

I think people would be amazed at what is possible inside their own spaces. If a vision could be caught it would show everyone that even places and spaces that they consider limited can be refitted to be breathtaking rooms.

Even if you have an ugly or unused space in your home, you can turn it into a charming and a useful place that your whole family can enjoy.

Kim Wyse is a local freelance designer. Find her on facebook as Ask a Designer/Ask a Realtor.