THE COMPLICATED ART OF SIMPLICITY
CIRCA-1900 HOME TRANSFORMED,
It’s one of the ironies of design that, very often, achieving true simplicity can be a highly complicated process. That was the case with this handsome circa- 1900 Georgian in Rosedale. The owners’ quest to modernize the home, both in its technicals and interior design, ultimately meant rebuilding, from the brick walls in. They called in Altius Architecture Inc. partner Cathy Garrido, to assist in what became a dramatic transformation.
Rosedale is a designated heritage neighbourhood, with strict rules pertaining to how homes should be renovated, Garrido explains. But the rules only apply to those parts of the house that are shared with the streetscape: front and side elevations and front gardens.
Indeed, on the outside, it marries with its neighbours, showing admirable oldToronto restraint. The symmetrical double bays flanking a pedimented front door, second- storey central window, and triple dormers were respectfully cleaned and upgraded, preserving its classic Georgian proportions. Even the rebuilt chimney uses bricks reclaimed when the rear windows were enlarged, to preserve a seamless look. But open the front door, and a wonderful surprise awaits.
The real success of the design is the way it incorporates subtle references to the past — reveals at the foot of the walls that suggest traditional deep baseboards; adherence to the general centre- hall plan; wood- burning fireplaces — in a relaxed and open design that’s completely suited to a 21st century family.
While beautiful in its own way, the house was hardly untouched when the owners purchased it a few years ago. Extensively renovated by the previous owners, it had some odd puzzles in its flow. For example, a half- flight of steps leading off the main stair landing led to a home office that felt somewhat marooned from the rest of the house, with a pair of odd and quite unusable balconies. And the whole house was dark and rather imposing — arguably, a hallmark of dignity and prosperity 100 years ago, but quite out of keeping with the current owners’ lifestyle.
But the esthetics were only part of the story. As with most old homes that have settled comfortably on their foundations for many decades, there wasn’t a square angle in the house. Insulation was spotty, and just about all of the services were overdue for upgrades. “Every time you do a major renovation, you are legally bound to meet modern- day codes,” explains Garrido. In the end, she says, there was nothing for it but a virtual gut job.
In fact, the most important aspects of the renovation were behind the scenes. Parts of the interior structure needed strengthening, floors needed straightening, and ceilings were levelled. The heating system still relied on cast iron hot water radiators, which are i nefficient by modern standards and can lead to cold and hot spots, especially in larger houses. They were replaced with a powerful high- tech temperature control system that divide the home into no less than 19 separate zones, with panels that allow each room to be adjusted individually. Radiant heating in the main floor rooms supplements the system and keeps things cosy underfoot.
The first thing that strikes you as you enter is the abundance of natural light, even on the rather gloomy day we visited. Serene white walls and wide openings (and virtually no doors) between rooms, share the light from the big windows. But much of what makes it so bright comes from rethinking the staircase, right in the heart of the home.
“The original staircase had a landing, in the traditional style, which lowered the ceiling under the land- ing and closed in the whole centre of the house,” Garrido recalls. “We changed it to a single long flight to the second floor, reconfigured the top- floor flight, and put a row of skylights along the peak at the top, casting light right down through all three floors.” (One small pleasure: the owner loved the original solid oak banister with its reassuringly solid feel, so the new staircase has one too.)
Despite its size and proximity to the backyard, the rear addition had surprisingly small windows, along with a sunken floor that chopped up its proportions. Again, the trick was to simplify: the floor was brought into the same plane as the rest of the main floor, and two big new windows installed, flanking a glass French door to the garden. One side of the room forms a cosy seating area in front of the TV: the other is a relaxed breakfast area, under one of several Douglas Coupland paintings that add bright colour in the cool, white space.
The kitchen, by Bulthaup, perfectly embodies the guiding idea of the intricacy of simplicity. A wall of gun- metal- grey cabinetry along one side conceals appliances and pantry storage, with cupboards and drawers expertly organized with bespoke compartments and dividers. Hidden in a corner of the kitchen, a tall window brings in much needed light from the side, and as the owner points out, provides a refreshing cross-breeze on a hot day.
Upstairs, t he master suite, lit by wide windows overlooking the garden, is warmed by its own fireplace, faced in 6 x ½ inch Japanese porcelain tiles, with a Frank Lloyd Wright- esque elegance. The adjoining bath, as with all the bedrooms en suites, features carefully matched marble and riftsawn oak trim.
Along wi t h several spacious guest rooms, the top floor has a functional home office and a fullyequipped bar area — which just happens to be near a broad and sunny terrace, with a breathtaking view of treetops, roofs, and on a very clear day, the city in the distance.
Part of what makes the design fascinating is that, while it celebrates the best of modem design — clean, uncluttered lines, soaring open spaces, modern technology and convenience, and plenty of natural light — the warmth and grandeur of the old house are still there in spirit.
“It was a huge learning curve for us,” says the homeowner.
“Friends said to us, why spend so much money on things you can’t see, like proper windows, insulation, mechanicals. But it was very important to us to do it right. It was a beautiful home to begin with, but now it’s completely transformed. It’s a real sanctuary for us.”
WE CHANGED (THE ORIGINAL STAIRCASE) TO A SINGLE LONG FLIGHT TO THE SECOND FLOOR, RECONFIGURED THE TOP-FLOOR FLIGHT, AND PUT A ROW OF SKYLIGHTS ALONG THE PEAK AT THE TOP, CASTING LIGHT RIGHT DOWN THROUGH ALL THREE FLOORS. — CATHY GARRIDO