If you live in the Toronto beaches area, or anywhere in the southeast quadrant of the city, you have probably heard of the Balmy Beach Club. If you have had the pleasure of visiting the club, you will recall it’s beautiful patio overlooking the boardwalk and Lake Ontario. It is a great setting for a hot summer night, but many are not as familiar with the private member’s lounge.
Toronto Beaches: Balmy Beach Club Design Refresh
When we were invited to bid on a refresh project to the member’s lounge, we were thrilled, and truly honoured. However, we were in no way prepared for the community, the depth of caring and local history that was contained within its walls.
The lounge was sadly in need of an update so we were thrilled when we were told that we had been the selected design team to lead the renovation and rejuvenation of the private member’s lounge.
Enjoy a quick look through the transformation process and be prepared for a dramatic before and after!
The Problems:
- Very dated fireplace wall
- Cramped storage/display that didn’t showcase the club member’s trophies and memorabilia effectively
- Distressed and worn furniture, and tired upholstery
- Dated colour scheme
- Space planning that offered one seat facing the main focal wall (one of the main uses of the room is for gathering by the fireplace and watching sporting events on the tv)
The Solution:
- New millwork treatment for the fireplace wall
- New display areas for trophies and memorabilia
- Replace the uniform blocky furniture with well-made contemporary pieces
- Space planning to address the various functions that take place in the room prioritizing seating for viewing games on the tv, space for grabbing a quick bite after a workout, room to grab a beer among friends or hold a meeting, and lastly comfortable seating closest to the lake and boardwalk to share conversation and drinks with club members
- A fresh colour scheme reflective of the beach/sports club vibe to complement the changing demographic in the neighborhood
- A concept to reinforce the environment beachers know and love
So Let’s Take a Look!
A peak at the room before:
The space was dated and bleak. Why is none of the furniture arranged to see the TV when the main use of the room is watching games and sporting events? This was our first of many questions.
The furniture and upholstery was … tired!
Well-loved would describe it best.
After a lengthy process of designing the layout and elevations for the new space and then selecting a contractor to install the new windows, construction began. It was messy work, but the members were tolerant while their home away from home was being given a new look.
New space planning accommodated many competing needs: meetings, eating/grabbing a slice of pizza, relaxing after time on the tennis courts, catching up with friends over a drink, viewing sports playoff events, curling up by the fireplace, enjoying the view of the lake …
New millwork was designed to update the fireplace wall and provide a place of prominence for the pride of the club – the many awards and trophies the members have earned and brought home to display. The dated brick had to go!
…and then construction began.
We selected memorabilia from the archives to represent each of the sports groups in the club. Gallery walls are always tricky to lay out. A few techniques really helped to prepare the gallery display!
Setting Up a Gallery Wall
- Lay everything out on craft paper the size of your wall or opening
- Vary sizes and shapes to create interest
- Over-mat or group key smaller images to give them visual importance
- Cut out the shapes from the craft paper to simplify installation on the wall
The installer loved us when he saw this!
The history contained within these walls spans over 100 years.
We had custom paddles made by local Ontario artists to reflect the BBC logo colours and the scheme for the lounge to reinforce our concept.
…and the rest of the photos tell the story of the new BBC.
Plenty of lounging room in front of the fireplace. This is the most popular spot for sports nights on the big screen tv.
Grab a slice before the game.
The “legend by the lake” lives on!
It’s FABULOUS Judith!! Functional and beautiful …such a thoughtful and creative design. The beach club members must be so delighted with their new home away from home!
Thank you Karen! It was a super fun project to do, and they were really ready for a new look.
Wow Judith – great transformation!! I bet the patrons are thrilled 🙂
Thank you Anne Marie! It is certainly getting much more use. It was not a very welcoming space before.
Looks amazing Judith! Love the fresh updated look! The lighting and all the furnishings are wonderful. A great update!
Deanna! You would certainly know! It was ready – overdue, in fact. It has been so fun to see how much more use the space gete welcoming. Oh how I’d love to grab a drink (or several) with you there again! Nice to hear from you. Drinks in S’pore would be just as fun – maybe at the Altas!
Judith:
You did such a beautiful job on this..and that display wall!! I can’t imagine how much time it took you to lay that out and create that. Thank you for the great tips about HOW to do that well.
I can only imagine how much the members of the club are enjoying it all, now that they can actually see the TV and be reminded of their accomplishments.
Leslie, thank you! I must confess, I really enjoy seeing the lounge get much more use and enjoyment. When I stop by, it is always being used. Before the renovation it was not a welcoming place – at all. Now it is cheery and sunny. Thank you for your comments!
wow! what a wonderful transformation of this space. I love the oars! Well done.
Thank you! Those paddles were hand painted by a local artist. I was really happy with how they turned out.
What a beautiful remodel the space looks so nice and bright and refreshing! Love the new sectional, gallery wall, and paddles on the fireplace wall as well.
Thank you! It was super fun to work on and I really love seeing the new space being enjoyed more.
Wow! A fabulous before and after! I love how you laid out the problems and solutions!
Yes, and it certainly needed some love!
This looks amazing! Thank you for sharing your process of the gallery wall. xoNicole
This looks amazing! Thank you for sharing your process for the gallery wall!
xoNicole
Oh wow! That is an amazing transformation. All of it – is just wow! Your clients must be over the moon – thrilled with this.
What a gorgeous transformation! Tired no more!
Thanks Wendy. Tired no more – for certain. We gave it a badly needed wake-up.
Thank you Sheri, They are certainly enjoying it so much more now.
You’re welcome. I found the process a bit daunting at first but then we figured out a solution that worked.
WOW, Judith! What an AMAZING transformation! I’m sure the members a thrilled with the new space and that gallery wall is awesome!
Hey, thanks Janet! It certainly made a big difference to get all those trophies and plaques out where they could be a source of pride instead of just clutter.
Love this so much! It looks so amazing! I especially loved your tip about the gallery wall — definitely the way to do it!
Thank you. The gallery wall was fun to do!
What an amazing transformation!
Thank you Brian, It was a true labour of love to help restore this gem for the community. It is a well-loved gathering place thought of as the kitchen of the community where everyone gathers.