Ep 6. Small House, Great Neighborhood
- TV-G
- August 20, 2018
- 43 min
In "Love It or List It" season 15 episode 6, titled "Small House, Great Neighborhood," homeowners Rico and Tanya are struggling to find a solution for their cramped living space. They love their cozy little home in Toronto's sought-after Forest Hill neighborhood, but it just doesn't have enough room for their growing family. They're hoping hosts Hilary Farr and David Visentin can help them decide whether to love their current home and renovate it, or list it and search for a larger house in the same area.
The episode opens with Hilary meeting the couple in their small living room, which is cluttered with toys and baby gear. She quickly gets to work, assessing the space and identifying the biggest design challenges she'll need to tackle. She notes that while the home has some charming elements, like original hardwood floors, it's lacking in natural light and storage space. She proposes opening up the main floor and adding a built-in wall unit to make the space more functional.
Meanwhile, David takes Rico and Tanya out to look at a few potential new homes in the same area. They're thrilled to see some larger homes with more bedrooms and bathrooms, but they quickly realize that they'd have to sacrifice the great location to get more space. They start to see the appeal of staying in their current home and making some improvements.
As Hilary and her team start the renovation, they encounter a few unexpected challenges, including water damage and difficult plumbing issues. Hilary remains undaunted, devising creative solutions to make the most of the small space. She cleverly incorporates a bench seat with built-in storage and creates a customized organizing system for the kids' toys. She also removes a wall to open up the main floor and let more light in, and designs a new fireplace that adds both aesthetic appeal and practical function.
Meanwhile, David continues to show the couple larger homes that could meet their needs. At one point, they find a home that they really like, but there's a problem with the foundation that causes them to pause. They start to reevaluate their priorities, realizing that the location of their current home is a huge factor in their lifestyle and convenience.
As the renovation nears completion, the couple returns to see Hilary's finished design, and they're blown away by the transformation. The space feels brighter, more open, and much more functional. They're particularly impressed with the custom bench seat and updated fireplace, which both add great character to the room.
In the final decision, Rico and Tanya consider their options carefully. They ultimately decide to love their current home and start the next chapter of their lives in the same great neighborhood. Hilary and David offer them congratulations and best wishes for the future.