Bringing a historic loft to life
Tip Top suite reno adds sly storage, pops of colour
Kathryn McNally is known for her discerning eye.
As the founder of Poppys Collection, she partners exclusively with womenowned vendors who create high-quality, sustainable clothing, toys and accessories for children and parents.
When it came to investing in her first home, the 28-year-old entrepreneur took the same savvy approach to finding her ideal condo.
She found her happy place in the historic Tip Top Tailors building on Lake Shore Ave. W., in the Fort York neighbourhood. Now known as Tip Top Lofts, it was built in the 1920s and was the industrial headquarters for the renowned menswear company. The building was converted to condos in the early 2000s, and the art deco elements retained in the heritage structure’s makeover. Its history, and connection to fashion and quality, were appealing to McNally. Its location, though, proved to be the real advantage.
“I travel often for work and my boyfriend lives in Boston, so I fly in and out of Billy Bishop a lot. It’s a three-minute commute. I’ve ordered Uber Eats when my plane touches down and have made it home before my meal does,” she said.
One of her first calls after snapping up the 950-sq.-ft., one-bedroom loft suite in February 2018 was to Beth Lowenfeld, principal of Four Blocks South interior design firm. The two creative minds got to work reimagining the space to fit McNally’s tastes and lifestyle. With a nod to the art deco origins of the building, they updated finishings, created more storage and gave the sterile backdrop dramatic pops of colour that reflect
McNally’s personality. With five distinct areas, it’s easy to break down their work room by room. 1) Front entry. It’s hard to find a condo in Toronto with a spacious front entrance. Ask McNally — she looked for five years. “In most units, you feel like you’re immediately in the living or dining room or it doesn’t feel like it’s part of the space.”
She and designer Lowenfeld commissioned Cranberry Hill Kitchens to help design and build a double-doored cabinetry unit featuring a colourful upholstered bench. A tap of a finger on the wooden cabinet at the back of the bench reveals custom shoe storage, to the delight of McNally’s many guests. 2) Bedroom. McNally’s room sports made-to-order wallpaper from Sweden, a specially designed bed and wallmounted bedside tables with pendant lights. A whitewashed oak, custom closet matches the entryway and kitchen cabinets.
“Clothes are my weakness and I have a big passion for chunky cashmere sweaters, which take up a lot of storage. (Organizing consultant) Marie Kondo would kill me,” McNally said.
Lowenfeld says the trick to designing the perfect solution was getting specific about what kind of storage McNally needed. “We talked about what she has to store, how she uses it, how much hanging vs. folding space she needed. It resulted in a closet that has lots of pullouts, various sizes of drawers and underneath hanging to facilitate off-season storage.
“It looks contemporary and simplistic, but, behind the doors, it’s quite sophisticated.”
Above it all is an oversized feather light called Eos by Vita Copenhagen, which they fell in love with at Casa di Luce. 3) Bathroom. The galley-shaped bathroom is the only room in the condo that has doors — two of them — that open onto the bedroom at one end and the living room at the other. McNally was not a fan of the original finishings. “It had the world’s tiniest sink and I need space when I’m getting ready.”
They removed the tub to make way for a large shower stall, which McNally says is perfect for rinsing off her one-year-old soft-coated wheaten terrier, Lottie, after a vigorous romp in the local dog park.
To make the small space feel expansive, they flush-mounted the shower head with the ceiling and added bespoke light cabinetry, cement tiles and an illuminated mirror. 4) Living room. The living area is all about colour and embracing the art deco vibe of the building. McNally came to the condo with a lot of vibrant art pieces and Lowenfeld designed the marquis furniture pieces around them.
“Kathryn has such a bubbly personality and loves colour. We deliberately kept the walls and cabinetry light and airy so we could showcase the more dramatic furniture,” Lowenfeld said.
The jewel-toned, custom-made couch paired with fuchsia second-hand silk rugs, a Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams Elroy chair and an oversized Starburst light combine to create an art deco esthetic that’s as comfortable as it is interesting.
And over there, under the bar? That’s the washer and dryer, tucked away in an incognito cabinet. 5) Kitchen. As in most modern kitchens, McNally’s island is the gathering place. It also serves as her dining room. The best part: it’s on rollers. “It’s my favourite part of the condo. When I have a lot of people over, I can put it against the back wall or push it closer to the kitchen. It can become whatever I want it to be.”
She says the entire renovation process was swift and smooth, beginning in April and finishing in June. While the price tag for the renovation and furnishings came in at a steep $150,000, McNally doesn’t regret a thing.
“My philosophy is to buy less but buy consciously and thoughtfully so things last and can be passed down to other generations. It’s who I am in business and in life.”