Original brick coach-style house with new cedar-clad addition

New private balcony aligned with alleyway below

Addition shown glowing at dusk 

Balcony designed to strategically allow for open views across the city while maintaining privacy 

In warmer months, the full-glazed sliding door allows the room to extend to the exterior

Created to echo the experience of a boutique hotel suite, opening the bathtub to the rest of the room allows for an intimate sharing of the space

Heated stone floors elegantly define the wet area while maintaining the openness of the space 

Custom-designed mahogany millwork integrating bathtub and sink into a single element 

Flipper boxes for shoe storage are one of many ways storage spaces was maximized and cleverly concealed 

Wall-mounted tv swivels to allow for viewing from bed, bath and balcony

Millwork units double as a room wall, and frame view to the exterior

Interior and exterior elements throughout the house reflect a consistent approach to proportion and detailing of materials

The new sleek materials were carefully composed to juxtapose the warm brick wall and exposed wood ceiling joists, creating a harmonious balance of old and new

Feature steel and glass stair provide a focal point in the space

Rich, wood elements balancing cool, sleek, reflective surfaces

A unique, carefully crafted intersection of spaces and materials

The client's desire for a kitchen that 'felt like a machine' informed the selection of robust, commercial-grade finishes, hardware and fixtures. 

The composition of materials, dropped ceiling, and millwork storage element work to distinguish the entrance to the home

Storage closets were designed around three vintage metal lockers, one for each child in the family. Inset metal floor grate captures dirt and mud at entrance

Switch cover inset into entrance millwork 

The projection of the dropped ceiling expands the entryway, while the millwork acts as a warm wood backdrop for the living space

Open-tread stair allows for maximum light and visibility through the space 

In the open studio area, a vibrant blueprint-blue chalkboard 'idea wall' - a nod to the client's industrial design background - acts as a surface for playful messages, drawings, and homework

Trough sink allows all three children to brush their teeth at once. Inset open wood shelves are custom designed to hold bathroom accessories

Carefully composed shelving placement

Steam shower fits full family of five

Oversized porcelain floor tiles with board-pressed concrete texture was chosen to compliment the industrial material palette, while maintaining a spa-like sophistication 

A bright, generous bathroom for a family of five to share comfortably 

Whimsical elements integrated into the functional design, add subtle splashes of colour into the space

Off-the-shelf glass containers are inset into wood shelves to allow for the orderly storage of bathroom supplies

Stainless steel toothbrush holders for each of the three children are inset into the wood shelves

The refined cedar-clad addition fronts onto an outdoor patio shaded by trees.

The full height windows glow at night, and connect the interior living room to the exterior yard and sitting area.

Windows across the full width of the addition allow light to penetrate deep into the house, while creating a wonderful connection to the back yard.

Inspired by the term 'patina' - established character of something grown beautiful over time and use, the striking feature wall of rhythmically composed cabinets has a layered texture and organic quality reminiscent of weathered barn board and reflects a sensibility that resonates with this particular client. This bold gesture links the sunken living room to the kitchen beyond, while providing generous amounts of storage to keep clutter out of sight.

Recessed niches within the storage wall are accented by a turquoise wall-covering and accommodate a desk and generous couch in the living room. The radiant-heated floor makes the tile floor a durable choice that is comfortable year-round.

Floor-to-ceiling closets store shoes and jackets for children coming inside from the back yard. A niche is carved into the cabinetry to form a small bench for comfort taking shoes on and off.

The living room can transform into a family theatre for movie nights with a retractable screen, projector, and recessed speakers.

The first glimpse around a corner hints at a rhythm of built in two-tone cupboards accented by colourful punches from a textured turquoise wall covering.

Stepping into the kitchen reveals the extent of a feature storage wall stretching the entire length of the house as a single gesture that connects the kitchen and living room. The storage wall incorporates vibrant display niches, counters, desk, and conceals a hatch to the laundry chute.

The spacious kitchen revolves around an oak harvest table intended as a hub of family activity. This harvest table tradition accommodates all manner of activities including formal dinners, casual after-school snacks, homework, and board games.

A large window bathes the entire kitchen with soft natural light

A hexagonal mosaic tile backsplash sparkles with reflected light; along with vintage brass pulls, these details add a touch of antique history to the otherwise sleek and modern kitchen cabinetry.

The laundry chute that spans from second floor to basement laundry room, is hidden behind the millwork storage wall in the kitchen and allows for easy transfer of table linens to the laundry room downstairs.

Custom cherry wardrobes detailed with leather pulls maximize available storage space under the angled ceiling of the third floor master bedroom. 

Turquoise accents and vintage details transform the attic space into a sophisticated yet cosy bedroom.

The master bathroom embodies the same simple sophistication of the master bedroom.

The frosted glass skylight and built-in bench gives the spacious master ensuite shower a modern, spa-like feel.

Custom cherry millwork and a vibrant pop of colour reinforces the simple sophistication of the bedroom.

Playful, matching blinds and cushions bring life to the children's bedroom, overlooking a green roof on top of the back yard addition.

Through the bedroom windows, the eco-friendly green roof flowers every spring and becomes an elevated rooftop meadow, transforming a standard rooftop view into one of verdant green foliage.

Custom storage built into the wall complements built-in IKEA wardrobes to maximize available storage in the bedroom.

The basement stair is a confluence of materials between two storeys; the tiled floor flows into the staircase itself and wood cabinets seamlessly transition to wood panels that frame the staircase and landing below.

The basement is designed as a flexible space for the children to enjoy as they grow into teenagers and young adults and can be used for all manner of activities: sleepovers, birthday parties, group homework projects, science experiments, arts and crafts, jam sessions, and movie nights.

As a flexible and multifunctional space meant to adapt to the lives and needs of the children as they grow up, the basement includes workspace featuring a vintage trough sink for arts and crafts and science experiments. The chalkboard wall allows for impromptu doodling, planning hockey plays and sketching out ideas.

A bank of built-in storage runs the full length of the basement to take advantage of limited height under mechanical ductwork and features open bookshelves, closed storage for supplies and seasonal clothing, a desk, TV, and wardrobe space for guests staying in the basement.

The tile floor flows seamlessly into the glass shower

Walnut detailing runs through the main floor, wrapping a dropped ceiling that defines and gives order to each space as it flows into the next. 

High performance appliances and hardware teamed with carefully considered detailing and walnut surrounds, lend the IKEA cabinetry a refined and sophisticated look

The wood wraps around the room, framing the light pendants, and ties together the spaces with a striking graphic quality

Carefully detailed custom walnut wine rack is slotted discretely into the living room wall

Subtle, refined details 

Bowed ceramic backsplash tiles provide depth and texture in contrast to the hard surface materials

Subtle, refined details 

A level of sophistication is achieved by shrouding a functional and economical IKEA wardrobe in walnut panels, and accenting it with leather seat and pulls  

Floor-to-ceiling marble mosaic tiled wall provides a shimmering backdrop to the original claw-foot tub

A continuous niche, carved out of the marble mosaic tiled wall, is lined with a solid surface material that becomes the vanity countertop

Frameless glass shower enclosure allows for a clear reading of the marble mosaic tile feature wall

With the use frameless glass and uninterrupted floor and wall finishes, this wine cellar becomes glowing, showcase element at the base of the basement stair

The space under the stair landing is maximized with this compact, yet elegant, wine cellar

The glass corner, viewed from recreation room, makes the wine cellar appear larger as well as allowing glimpses of the bottles stored on sleek, metal pegs. Spray laquered wall/door panels with touch latch hardware conceal storage space below stair

The provision of concealed storage and the reorganization of wasted space both help to overcome the clutter often found in busy family homes. The wall panels under the handrail open with touch latch hardware to elegantly utilize storage room under the stairs.

The glowing, coloured display shelves punctuating the crisp white millwork, echo the colours found in the family's aboriginal art collection

Accent colours outlined in white surrounds were inspired by the client's aboriginal art collection

The dropped ceiling, used to add intimacy to the seating area, folds down the wall to become the entertainment unit

A cedar-clad feature wall in the basement rec room, to compliment an existing cedar sauna, encases an accent-turquoise sliding door to the fitness room

The bright fitness room links the rec room and washroom

Rubber flooring in the fitness area abuts the metallic porcelain floor tile that forms a continuous path through linking the spaces. The feature colour becomes a vibrant backdrop to the wall mounted water fountain.
 

The metallic, oversized, porcelain tile path throughout the basement terminates by wrapping up the walls of the luxury shower, forming a glowing feature wall upon entering the bathroom.

Body mist sprays and oversized rain shower, with inset storage shelves are the ideal way to finish a workout 

Bathroom elements are wrapped in a cedar frame; the consistent use of accent colour and materials, like cedar and metallic porcelain tile, give a sophisticated unity to all the rooms

A cozy reading room adjacent to both children's bedrooms helped to even the bedroom sizes while providing a quiet retreat

A palette of aqua and purple highlights on grey and white interior suit the maturing, pre-teen
 

A feature wall of striking blue adjacent to royal red curtains represent the son's passion for his two favourite sports teams

A full wall of built-in storage and pantry space under the stair incorporates the fridge, freezer, a custom wine storage piece, and open pantry shelves for convenient storage of spices, dry goods, and a nook to store pet food.

Custom pantry shelves store spices and dry goods

The texture and warmth of the original brick is strategically exposed in and tied in with the clean, modern materials of the kitchen.

Drawing from one of the owner's experience as a chef, the kitchen is inspired by a commercial kitchen crossed with the honest functionality of Julia Childs' workspace. Walls of durable metal pegboard embody the project's authentic approach in which the tools of everyday life are displayed as objects, while simultaneously making kitchen utensils convenient to use.

A wood shelf links the kitchen and dining rooms together - in places it becomes a deep sill by the kitchen window for plants and herbs, here in the dining room it becomes a ledge for family photos and kids’ art.

A modern plan combines the kitchen and dining areas into a large common room that is meant for cooking, entertaining and gathering. Double stoves with a stainless steel backsplash, the exposed joist ceiling, and open pegboard for storing cookware and utensils gives the kitchen an honest, utilitarian feel inspired by industrial kitchens.

The entry foyer features the texture, colour and character of the encaustic tile floor set against clean white walls accented by old components of the original home.

Double sinks in the upstairs bathroom allows the family’s two young boys to get ready for school at the same time.

The bathroom sinks are separated from the toilet and shower by a sliding door so as to allow a family of 4 to most efficiently use the space of a single bathroom. A water-resistant redwood shelf ties the two rooms together and allows for storage of various products around the bathroom.

The bathroom is generously lit by natural light from two skylights above. A subtle but graphic pattern plays with the finish of standard white subway tile and wraps all sides of the ‘wet-room.’ A wall-hung toilet floats off the floor and makes for easy cleaning.

Inset niches in the shower provide space for storing bath products at the heights of various family members.

A simple rod fashioned from standard plumbing components hangs from the custom redwood shelf.

The upstairs family room becomes a cozy spot for movies and relaxing. A reclaimed wood door slides on a custom track.

Teak wall and ceiling panels frame the kitchen and path to the back door and complement the open layout and back window of residential designer, Dean Ruffalo of Dero Designs.

Earthy and elegant kitchen finishes, pulls, and careful detailing, along with teak wood panelling, were chosen to enhance the kitchen which had initial design done by residential designer Dean Ruffalo, of Dero Designs.

The selection of finishes, fixtures and furnishings was made in close consultation with the client, and lends the space a distinct character

A wrapping of teak panels is mirrored at the front of the house, delineating the entrance and exit passages and creating an architectural unity in the space

An iridescent and graphic wallpaper form a contrasting backdrop to the art deco inspired handrail design

The millwork elements work to define a clear design structure and identity to the ground floor, while maintaining the flexibility of an open-space concept.

These multi-functional panel units contain storage and seating elements, and are accentuated with specialty lighting. 

The major design gestures works in synergy with the smaller, more carefully detailed elements, such as the stair rails and treads

The custom designed mirror cabinet and display shelving, along with selection of fixtures and tiles, make this compact washroom layout simple and striking

Glass pendants, wall to wall mirror and suspended vanity come together to create an elegant and bright ensuite
 

The basement is a cozy retreat for the couple to enjoy movies and music. Generous amount of natural light coming down the stairs, and the exposed ceiling joists give the space a unique loftiness.

The basement bathroom features a frameless glass shower wrapped in dark tile, with a wood niche for storing shower products.

A freestanding vanity and sink sits in the room like a piece of furniture.

Contrasting the rest of the light and airy basement, the bathroom is cozy and warm and slightly dim.

The basement features ample space for the owners to store their sizeable collection of records, movies, and A/V equipment. A polished concrete floor with in-floor radiant heating throughout the basement makes the space easy to clean and comfortably warm year-round.

A niche built into the space under the stair is sized specifically for various sizes of books and records.

Vertical wood slats serve as the guard for the basement stair and visually emphasize the ceiling height of the basement space while permitting light to penetrate from the upstairs windows.

The wood screen from the basement extends past the ground floor and terminates at guard height on the ground floor, striking a dialogue with the house’s original wood balustrade.

Driven by the owners' love for cooking, the kitchen prominently displays feature cookbooks and kitchenware on floating shelves.

The new kitchen is flooded with natural light from south-facing windows and becomes the hub of the renovated home and a place for the couple to entertain while preparing food.

The entrance screen, crafted with wood and colour-stained glass, can be shifted into an enclosure for a private office and guest bedroom with a murphy bed. This screen is one of a series of operable panels that vary the degree of privacy while allowing for natural daylight to permeate through the house. 

The entrance screen, crafted with wood and colour-stained glass, can be shifted into an enclosure for a private office and guest bedroom with a murphy bed. This screen is one of a series of operable panels that vary the degree of privacy while allowing for natural daylight to permeate through the house. 

View from bedroom into corridor with powder room beyond

An oversized, multifunctional, louvred screen defines the building's exterior; acting as a three-dimensional surface on which the company's brand is presented. The screen, concealing a mess of utility meters that previously appeared front-and-center on the building, now marks an elegant entrance that ties together the building's previously disparate elements into a clear architectural order.

Passersby see a momentary flash of orange from the Fitzpatrick Electrical logo printed on the inside of the louvres – a design which takes full advantage of the building's street-corner location.  

The office work stations are arranged around the perimeter of the space, with a central wall cutting through the middle. This wall, painted in the company's signature orange, distinguishes the private office functions from the public client meeting and entrance areas.   

Carved into all sides of the building are a number of new windows that draw much needed light into the formerly dark interior

Passersby see a momentary flash of orange from the Fitzpatrick Electrical logo printed on the inside of the louvres – a design which takes full advantage of the building's street-corner location.