Divac Design & Build

01/07/2026

To all celebrating today,
wishing you a Merry Christmas.

Христос се роди! ☦️

01/31/2025

A throwback pic to a bathroom project from the early 2010s when honed and filled travertine stone was all the rave, and the vessel sink reigned supreme.

The porcelain imitations of natural stone tile were still years behind in appearance, and their production lots were plagued with repeating print to the point that no amount of variance in tile's orientation can disguise it. The real thing was the only way to achieve the authentic look and veining which at the time, only natural stone could offer.

Travertine is a very soft stone and full of voids. Almost everyone that's worked with it has experienced a piece break on them by simply lifting it from the saw, back buttering it, or placing it into position. Working with soft porous stones such as travertine or marble also posed other challenges, such as the need for sealing the face of the tiles after installation, but before grouting.

If left unsealed before grouting, the porous stones would suck up the moisture, and worse yet if using a contrasting grout, the pigment from the grout used, causing the cement in the grout to start setting prematurely, leaving the smooth surface of the stone with a gritty texture, blotchy changes in the stone's colour, and remnants of grout everywhere, especially in the hard to wipe corners.

Today, high definition porcelain tiles offer the almost indistinguishable beauty of natural stone, the strength and hardness or porcelain, without the hassle of working with, and subsequently maintaining stone. It is the perfect choice for almost all projects, except however....... at the very top end of high-end real estate.

Anything "faux" or imitations of any other kind of material, have no place in anything holding the high-end status. This isn't to say porcelain tile has no place in high-end homes; it's to say that when it comes to these types of homes, anything that resembles something should be just that thing. (¢¢)

01/02/2025

Timber-frame pavilion constructed from off-the-shelf available PT lumber with mortise and tenon joinery. This project was so much fun that I've since acquired some specialized tools for cutting timber mortises in hopes of doing it again in the future, and for my own place. The mortises for this project were cut with basic tools as pictured in the last photo.

01/02/2025

A closet remodel going from a large builder spec with sliding doors, to a custom his and hers built-in separated by a soft close drawer bank with a small book shelf nook.

01/02/2025

Detached Garage with second storey, used as a hobby shop with second storey storage. It could easily convert to an ADU of 840 sq ft.

12/31/2024

Welcome to Divac Design & Build!

We’re super excited to announce the launch of our new venture, where thoughtful design meets quality craftsmanship.

This isn’t just a new name. It’s a natural progression for us. After years of success in residential construction and renovations, we’ve officially registered as Divac Design & Build to take on bigger, more challenging projects and better serve our clients.

At Divac Design & Build, we specialize in custom builds, newly introduced Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs), home additions, and well-planned renovations. Whether you’re dreaming of a brand-new space tailored to your needs, a refreshed kitchen, or a relaxing bathroom retreat, we’re here to help bring your vision to life.

We’re a newly registered, fully licensed and insured design-build firm, but don’t let “newly registered” fool you; our team brings over 20 years of hands-on experience in all aspects of residential construction and renovation. We’re proud to have a long list of references and satisfied clients, many of whom are happy to showcase our work.

As a boutique builder, we prioritize quality over quantity, focusing on one project at a time to ensure each receives the care and attention it deserves, from start to finish.

We’re excited to grow our portfolio and reputation under this new banner. That means now is the perfect time to reach out. Our early clients will benefit from our best deals and soonest scheduling opportunities. With our commitment to personalized service, our schedule is sure to fill up fast!

Follow our page for project updates, design inspiration, and ideas to help make your next build or renovation something special. Let’s create a space you’ll love.

Here’s to building with care and purpose.

Call now to connect with business.