My Houzz: Eclectic Sensibility in a Toronto Foursquare
http://www.decor-ideas.org 09/19/2013 13:40 Decor Ideas
Living in a modern industrial loft in downtown Toronto had its drawbacks for Rosa Costanzo and Chris Martin. "The potential to mold and renovate the loft was limited," Costanzo says, and they wanted something they could really put their hearts and style into. So they ditched the loft and headed outside the downtown area, snatching up a 1930s foursquare-style brick home steps from Lake Ontario.
Original details like gum wood trim, leaded glass windows and clear doorknobs wooed the couple, but the space needed a bit of sprucing up, which was just fine with them. They finally got to express themselves by overhauling the kitchen and bathroom and adding their own eclectic decorating sensibility through lighting fixtures and antiques that highlight the home's original beauty. "With this house, the opportunities are endless," says Costanzo.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Rosa Costanzo and Chris Martin
Location: Mimico neighborhood of Toronto
Size: 1,500 square feet; 4 bedrooms, 1 bathroom
Year built: 1930
Original gum wood trim and high baseboards are found in the main living space. Costanzo thinks the original owners likely passed on having a fireplace installed when the home was built, though she hopes to bring one into the room in the future. For now a large rustic mirror occupies the space.
Chairs: The Hudson Bay; mirror, carpet: HomeSense; trunk: vintage; wall paint: Cloud White, Benjamin Moore
The charm of the diamond details in the leaded glass windows and the scalloped brass plates on the doors were a main draw for the couple. With such traditional detailing, Costanzo was careful to choose complementary accessories, like this industrial lamp.
Sofa: The Chesterfield Shop; side table: St. Vincent de Paul Antiques; lamp: Morba; curtains: Bed, Bath & Beyond
BEFORE: Outdated floors and appliances and worn cabinets sat in an awkward kitchen layout.
AFTER: The couple gave the kitchen a head-to-toe overhaul with new cabinets, countertops, appliances and floors. Costanzo designed the all-white kitchen to complement the window's original gum wood trim.
Cabinets: Martha Stewart Collection, Home Depot; knobs: Fountain knob, Anthropologie; pulls: Lee Valley; tiles: Leonardo porcelain stoneware, 12 by 24 inches, Deco Tiles; pendant light: Living Lighting; general contractor: Bill Connelly; electrician: Costa Rallis
A radiator sat under this window originally. The couple removed it, opening up space for a large apron sink.. They also added in-floor heating.
Apron sink: Elkay, Home Depot; countertop: Bianca Calcutta quartzite, Toronto Granite; marble backsplash: Allset Interiors
The dining room plays with scale and juxtaposes modern and traditional pieces. The large Sputnik lighting fixture illuminates a traditional pedestal-base table; Costanzo distressed the base and painted it white. The cane chairs were reupholstered. The cast iron radiant heaters on the left are original to the home.
Lighting: Elte; dining table: Habitat for Humanity ReStore; horse print: HomeSense
Costanzo's favorite spot is this study. She took a small room that sits off the kitchen and transformed it into an elegant space she can retreat to at the end of the day. The 18th-century étagère reaches to the ceiling and pairs beautifully with a deep-blue tufted antique sofa. "We knew [the étagère] was a special piece and the starting point for the overall design of the room. I love how the room doesn't feel stuffy or traditional," she says. The neutral cowhide softens the space.
French étagère: James Dy's Antiques and Collectibles; sofa: Goodwill; cowhide: HomeSense
The home's only bathroom was gutted and expanded. Elegant marble in a contemporary hexagon pattern freshens the space, while a classic sink and an elegant mirror with a weathered wood frame pair well with the industrial sconces.
"When we renovated the bathroom, we were cognizant of the fact that we needed to continue the high baseboards in the bathroom to provide continuity throughout the home," says Costanzo. She searched a number of stores and found a close match at a local Home Hardware store.
Sconces: Edison Caged Sconce, Restoration Hardware; mirror: Whitby, Restoration Hardware; sink: St. Thomas Creations Nouveau Console Lavatory, Home Depot
BEFORE: The previous bathroom had an outdated sink vanity and tiles.
AFTER: The placement of the toilet was a challenge during the renovation. "Once we started to tear down the walls and see what our limitations were, we had to reconfigure the space to make it work," Costanzo says. "We didn't want the toilet to be in the main sight line when you walk into the bathroom, but moving ventilation would cost a fortune, so we had to revise our design plan."
More: Where to put the toilet
Toilet: Toto, Taps and Tubs; paint, Sterling, Behr (upper half), Silver Sky, Behr (lower half)
In the main bedroom, Costanzo carried the soft cream and gray palette through and added a touch of drama with an oversize chandelier and elegant dark curtains.
Rug: Pier 1 Imports; chandelier: Urban Barn
A guest bedroom is outfitted with an antique dresser and has a tranquil white color palette.
"My proudest homeowner moment was when we came back from a two-week vacation, and the first night of arriving home after staying in different hotels and B and Bs, I was drawn into a warm and soothing atmosphere, which I am proud to say is my home," says Costanzo.
Your turn: Show us your creative home!
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