Words by Adrienne Dyer. Photos by Joshua Lawrence.
Historic and contemporary elements are entirely at home together in this character restoration thanks to the vision of lead designer, Maria Alvarez of Jenny Martin Design. “The house was originally built in 1894,” says Alvarez. “We resuscitated the home’s original charm while integrating high style in a modern layout.”
Along with luxurious new finishes, Alvarez incorporated refinished antique pieces including corbels, stair newel posts, fireplace mantels and light fixtures hand-painted to match. The fir stair treads and floors are all original, while new coffered ceilings add rich detail that suits the era of the home. Alvarez says the clients wanted their forever home to be comfortable and welcoming. “We captured his tastes with smoky-toned millwork and modern elements, and hers with feminine, traditional elements and neutral colours.
”This blend of styles is most evident in the dining room and kitchen where mesh cabinet doors lend an industrial feel to the dark-hued coffee bar, while the kitchen blends white upper cabinets and quartz countertops with a smoky-toned island. Custom millwork includes a hidden cat door beneath the built-in kitchen desk leading to the deck and a pair of revolving doors that give access to the all-white pantry, laundry area, and the foyer beyond.
Antique Bank of Canada doors with frosted glass (complete with a bullet hole) lead into the music room, where tone-on-tone wall paneling and a heritage stone fireplace add stately charm to the custom window bench.
In the Art Deco-inspired powder room, fan-shaped light fixtures and a chrome washstand accent bold custom-designed wallpaper.
Upstairs, the guest bath contains a dual steam shower, tiled floor-to-ceiling with tiny ceramic squares and wavy subway tiles that shimmer under the lights.
In the master bath, marble basketweave tile feels soft underfoot while the freestanding bathtub and elegant fixture add a spa-inspired feel. A concealed medicine cabinet behind the recessed mirror adds custom detail, along with the makeup vanity, linen shelf, and intricate jewelry tower in the walk-in closet.
In the bedroom, an 18th-century settee reupholstered in soft, rose velvet provides a feminine lounging space, while the office is a study in masculine texture and hue. In these spaces and throughout the house, Alvarez elevates the blend of time-tested tradition with sophisticated transitional elements to illustrate that sometimes the most harmonious way to blend the two is to highlight the differences between them.
