HAPPY HIP LIVELY HOUSE

Pattern, personality and colour converge in a Toronto home renovated for dynamic family living.

Pattern, personality and colour converge in a Toronto home renovated for dynamic family living.

Curb Appeal

Architects Charisma Panchapakesan and Brian Hagood reimagined the exterior of this 19th-century rowhouse as characterful but also in step with its neighbours. “We added bay windows, cornice moulding and an awning for a more defined entrance,” says Charisma. The bay is clad with black wood siding. A painter hand-lettered the house numbers on the transom window. “It adds a human touch and I love that you can see the brushstrokes when the light shines through,” says homeowner Michelle Spivak.

ARCHITECTURE, DESIGN, Charisma Panchapakesan and Brian Hagood, CAB Architects. WINDOWS, Pella. EXTERIOR PAINT, Black Ink 2127-20, Benjamin Moore. ADDRESS NUMBERS, Christopher Rouleau. CONTRACTOR, Habitude Inc.

Welcome Home

“Our entrance is a happy burst of flowers framed with dark panelling and marbletiled floors reminiscent of old entryways in New York,” says Michelle. The architects incorporated the muchdesired hall closet opposite the front door. The closet, 24 inches deep, is contained within the curved wall. Ludwig, the family’s beloved Beagle-Boston Terrier mix, enjoys the new space.

WALLPAPER, House of Hackney. Stairwell PAINTING, Alyson Vega.

Front of House

The dining room is at the front of the home’s open plan. Ceiling moulding throughout the first floor delineates the kitchen, dining and living areas and visually connects them. The custom cabinetry is a modern take on a china cabinet, and a built-in bench (not shown) is a fun feature. “We love it,” says Michelle. “It’s like having a window seat in a restaurant.” Her husband, Jonah Tozman, will often curate a playlist from their on-display record collection for Michelle to bop to while she cooks.

TABLE, Structube. CHAIRS, Crate and Barrel. CHANDELIER, West Elm.

While this 19th-century rowhouse boasts a coveted location in the city’s buzzy Ossington neighbourhood, its pre-millennial provenance left a lot to be desired. What it needed was more storage, light, a main-floor powder room and some snappy curb appeal. “We also wanted to add character,” says Michelle Spivak, a creative director, who lives in the 1,600-square-foot home with her husband, Jonah Tozman, a design director, and their children, Ronen, 6, and Maia, 2. They hired husband-and-wife architects Brian Hagood and Charisma Panchapakesan to create a family abode that exuded comfort and vibrancy (both couples had lived in New York and both gravitated to personality-packed looks). A complete renovation, inside and out, netted a home that’s layered with meaningful design and exuberance. “The space has come alive,” says Charisma. “It feels personal, joyful and truly enhances their daily life.”

Light & Bright

Expanded windows make the living area a light-filled spot where the kids love to play and even nap. The couple’s art collection packs a bold punch: the two large ones are by Adrianne Rubenstein, a New York art gallery owner; Jonah’s brother painted the smaller one. “We love keeping the backdrop neutral and adding colour through art and textiles,” says Michelle, who insisted on the biggest sofa possible for the small space. “There’s room for everyone to spread out and chill.”

Custom SOFA, EQ3. CEILING LIGHT, CB2.

“I love the way the light pours in all day and that I can see the sky from inside, even from the middle of the main floor.” – Michelle Spivak

Centre of Attention

“With family life in mind, we moved the kitchen from the back of the house to the middle so Michelle and Jonah could keep an eye on the kids,” says architect Brian Hagood. Painting the marble-topped island blue makes it look like a piece of furniture, and the hue continues in the jewellike powder room’s dramatic turquoise wallpaper (the mirror fronts a medicine cabinet that provides extra storage). The architects designed a new stair railing that imparts pattern and detail while also blending in.

WALLPAPER, House of Hackney.

Primary Comfort

“It was important to add a new window in this spot [above] in the primary bedroom,” says Charisma. “It balances out the front facade and brings in more natural light. It was also key in making sure the millwork balanced and worked naturally with the new addition.” The architects incorporated a makeup/dressing table area for Michelle, and discreet roller blinds keep the look contemporary. A freestanding window bench references the dining room’s built-in.

Custom CABINETRY, Nexus Furniture Design. CABINETRY PAINT, Raintree Green 1496, Benjamin Moore. BED, Structube.

“Brian and Charisma suggested making the closets a colour and I love sage. It’s so calming. This is another design decision I love every day.” – Michelle Spivak

Airy Calm

“We added a skylight in the upstairs hallway to bring natural light to the centre of the floor plan and allow it to filter down into the ground floor, as well,” says Brian. With budget in mind, they installed the skylight above the existing roof joists, so no major structural accommodations were needed. “We painted the joists white and really like how they add rhythm and texture to an otherwise plain hallway.”

Colour Splash

This is the only bathroom on the second floor, so it serves the entire family and needed to feel relaxing. The architects elongated and enlarged the existing window. Michelle says, “If you open it wide while you’re in there, it’s almost like taking an outdoor shower.” Green tiles define the sink area and shimmer with texture and tone. Carrara marble floor and wall tiles echo the flooring in the entryway and the kitchen island top; brass fixtures feel fresh and warm.

Artisan Moss Green WALL TILES, Centura Tile. White SHOWER SUBWAY TILES, Ciot. Brass HARDWARE, Riobel.