# A home worth waiting for

> Toronto designer Joan MacAlpine's family bought a fixer-upper home in Etobicoke in 2020, delayed renovations by pandemic, and transformed it with personal touches.
- Title: A home worth waiting for · Nationalpost | Shortify
- Summary: Toronto designer Joan MacAlpine's family bought a fixer-upper home in Etobicoke in 2020, delayed renovations by pandemic, and transformed it with personal…
- Keywords: joan macalpine, etobicoke, toronto, home renovation, pandemic, family photos, news, politics, home, worth, waiting, Nationalpost
- Source: Nationalpost — https://nationalpost.com/life/homes/design-trends-a-home-worth-waiting-for
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: joan macalpine, etobicoke, toronto, home renovation, pandemic, family photos, news, politics
## Front hall design
Toronto designer Joan MacAlpine created a warm front hall with gallery wall of family photos.

> i was adamant that the front entry should be a friendly, warm welcome to our home, not just a place to hang up your coat and drop your keys
## Home purchase in 2020
Joan MacAlpine's family bought a fixer-upper home in Etobicoke with good schools and quiet streets in 2020.
## Initial renovation plans
Joan planned six months to get drawings and permits sorted with help from a friend who is an architect.
## Pandemic delay
The pandemic caused a six-month renovation to stretch to three to four years, leading to temporary living in the home.
## Personalized space
Joan and her family infused the home with their personalities through family photos and natural light.
## Long-term benefits
The delay helped them learn how light changes, family needs shift, and they used the space effectively.
## Key takeaway

Joan MacAlpine's family turned a pandemic-delayed home renovation into a personalized space with family photos and natural light.