The basement was drywalled and painted. Definitely finished, but hardly spectacular.

That was the before picture. Now it’s an award-winning renovation that would make you wonder if you’re actually in the same space.

Aquarian Renovations transformed that lower level into an eye-popping relaxation and entertainment zone with a scotch and cigar room as a focal point. You could call it the one scotch, one whiskey, one award spot after it took the Renovator’s Choice prize at last month’s 2022 edition of the Building Industry and Land Development Alberta Association awards.

Aquarian, which also won for Exterior Renovation, was one of two Edmonton renovators to win at the event held in Jasper as Effect Home Builders took the Home Renovation $400,000 – $750,000 category.

The remaining renovation awards went to Calgary companies, including the top one to Ultimate Renovation as it received the Renovator Pinnacle Award.

“The space shows beautifully with all the unique spaces, custom millwork and elaborate lighting,” said Aquarian’s design manager Tyler McNaughton of the redevelopment project titled The Alchemy Project. “The entire scotch/cigar/bar area was custom designed and crafted in-house with several unique features including an up-lit dropped wooden slat ceiling that carried down the wall concealing a custom hidden barn door.”

Framed in by glass panels and black metal, the room features expected storage for a selection of the owner’s favourite wines. But it also includes custom lighted display boxes for prized whiskeys. However, while the scotch and cigar area catch your eye, it’s far from the only feature this lower level offers. There’s also a bar for entertaining, a theatre space, a ballet room, and a guest bedroom and bathroom.

For Aquarian’s other award, it was all about a font addition and a bit of an exterior makeover.

“The homeowners loved their home, community and neighbourhood but were looking to increase their square footage for entertaining as well as increasing the curb appeal of their home,” said McNaughton. “They added square footage, increased their living room’s space and added a much larger/needed front entry space including a beautiful covered front entry. We were able to add to this home and completely change the rooflines while making the entire renovation look intentional as if it were original.”

In this category, Aquarian was up against two Edmonton finalists: Ridgeline Improvements and Vicky’s Homes.

“It’s great to see all of the quality work coming out of Edmonton — at the provincial level,” said Jason Soprovich, Aquarian’s sales manager. “Every year it feels like the projects coming from all of these companies keep getting better and better “

In the Renovator’s Choice category, Aquarian faced two entries from Calgary’s Ultimate Renovations — its Beaming Blue Beautification, the other for its Panoramic Park View Patio.

Call it maroon or deep red, but one thing you can say is the colour definitely stood out. It was the countertop colour and it made for striking floor tiles in the bathroom.

But no one was seeing red after this older Edmonton home underwent an award-winning renovation, being named the winner in the BILD Alberta award’s $400,000 – $750,000 renovation segment.

As the house already had a large amount of work done to the exterior, including landscaping, before Effect Home Builders got involved, their work was interior only.

The project converted a standard 1960s house into a more open, modern home suitable for a couple who are moving out of the child-raising phase of their life.

“The floor plan was revised to allow for both entertaining and private spaces, and home conveniences such as a gym and office space were added,” said Scott Wilson, sales and design manager at Effect. “The new plan also allows significantly more natural light through the house.

The finished product now has a very clean and thoughtful plan, and striking elements such as wood beams, large marble slabs, and a Tenore see-through fireplace. Angles feature prominently and give a dynamic feel to the space, especially in the new vaulted ceiling.

“The architectural and interior details combine to create a very warm and comfortable space; it aligns very well with the client’s vision and that excellent vision shows through in the finished project,” said Wilson.

Effect competed against Alair Homes’ Parkview Mid Century and Vicky’s Homes’ Vilhelm in this category.

“There are many excellent builders in our city that we have a lot of respect for, including our fellow finalists,” said Wilson. “We obviously feel very good that our project was recognized but the competition and drive to create better, more innovative products is a great benefit to the city.”

Wilson said this project is an excellent example of the type of work Effect is seeing. “I think renovations like this will continue to be popular, as a way to move to or remain in vibrant mature communities,” added Wilson.