Creating a condo retreat in Yorkville
How a couple got a hip and stylish new home with the renovation of a dark and dated older city suite
When Janis and Ron Sternhill first walked into their Yorkville condo, they declared it a dump.
“The place itself was awful, but it was big and it had a gorgeous view of the city, overlooking Cumberland Avenue, which is where we wanted to be,” said Janis.
After raising a family in a spacious midtown home, the couple was looking for a more urban abode for their second act. They viewed 10 more properties, but none seemed quite right.
“We wanted to downsize but we didn’t want something small, and all the new condos coming up are tiny and weren’t very exciting. We returned to the first one and I loved it again the minute I walked in. It was a dump, but it felt right,” said Janis.
They hired Jodie Rosen and her team from Jodie Rosen Design to transform the drab and dated space into a custom retreat befitting of their new stage in life.
At the top of the priorities list was
ensuring that there was room to welcome their two children and their families. “When you downsize, it’s not only the parents leaving the house; the kids feel a sense of loss and we wanted them to feel that when they came to visit there was space for them,” said Janis.
Rosen created a den out of a small “dead end” area and Ron ordered bunk beds that emerge from the wall, Murphy-bed style, from Vancouver company Expand Furniture. “Our two grandchildren love it. They still argue over who gets to sleep up top,” said Ron.
When the kids aren’t around, the bunk beds disappear into the wallpapered wall and a cosy reading chair shifts into place for relaxing moments.
Other configuration changes included updating and expanding the kitchen area to include a walk-in pantry with a wine display and fridge. Rosen also had a laundry room and storage area moved to squeeze in a powder room for guests.
In the principal bedroom suite, where two full bathrooms once resided, Rosen advised removing one and creating a bigger ensuite bathroom that’s more lavish than one expects to find in most condos. An enclosed water closet sits next to a “wet room” with integrated tub and shower.
“The black marble inlay on the wall behind the tub is pretty sensational,” said Rosen. “Creating this bathroom in an older building was not easy. We were lucky to work with a fabulous contractor who really pushed the limits, Aaron Stein of Stein + Regency Construction Management.”
Back in the kitchen, Rosen was challenged to design around a large hood hanging from the ceiling in the middle of the room. “To camouflage, we created a fabulous ceiling detail with paneling and interesting black accents, which are consistent throughout the condo. We were able to achieve a slight drop-down hood with an integral design moment that is also super practical,” she said.
The ceiling detail aligns with the edge of the back wall of the kitchen that’s lined with cabinetry. “There’s an interesting delineation between the uppers, countertop and sink. It’s the exclamation mark of the kitchen and the black and white porcelain-topped island sits beautifully underneath it,” said Rosen.
Another design hurdle that turned into a beautiful feature is the large, double-sided fireplace. “It caused us a bit of trouble because it divides the dining room and the family room. We thought a lot about how to treat it so it doesn’t feel like a big thing in the middle of everything,” said Rosen.
Their solution was to add stonework and sconce lighting to illuminate art on one side and a TV on the other. Rosen also designed hidden dining room storage with a touch, stone-clad door.
“We knew if we were going to keep it, it better be spectacular — and it is,” said Rosen.
Managing the wood-burning fireplace had a learning curve, but they enjoy the ambiance. “It’s gorgeous and it worked out perfectly,” said Janis.
When it came to furnishings, the Sternhills were prepared to start over from scratch. Aside from a few items from their old house, everything is new. This gave Rosen freedom to create a design esthetic that flows from room to room.
“My first feeling when I met Ron and Janis is that they have this really sophisticated edge to their style. They are always well put-together and tailored, but with a flair. We did the condo in black, gold and bronze detailing to reflect that edgy, hip urban but timeless feeling,” said Rosen.
The couple had fortuitous timing. In 2019, the 2,600 sq. ft. condo had been languishing on the market so they were able to snag it for under $1,000 per sq. ft. — an unimaginable price by today’s standards, according to Ron. The building is 40 years old and the unit was showing its age, driving away buyers who weren’t willing to uncover the possibilities with a renovation.
The complete overhaul was complete in February 2020, right before the pandemic took hold in North America. “We got really lucky,” said Ron.
As pandemic restrictions ease, they’ve been able to adjust to their new lifestyle. “This is not a downsize for us. We’re urban people and we always wanted to live in a place where you walk out the door and there are restaurants and stores. We’re living the dream,” said Janis.