My Houzz: An 1890s Victorian in Toronto Goes Modern and Open
Out went the closed-in vibe, but much stayed on in this Canadian home's renovation: stained glass, woodwork and a lot of personality
Houzz Contributor. The principal of Hannotte Interiors in Toronto (http://www.hannotteinteriors.com), with an MA in Museum Studies which informs my philosophy of design, and the ideas of place, home, and the narratives we create with objects we love. I side with craft and concept, and work to cultivate personality and honesty in my work.
Houzz Contributor. The principal of Hannotte Interiors in Toronto (http://www.hannotteinteriors.com),... More »
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In Toronto real estate, a detached three-story Victorian with original details intact is the holy grail. After patiently looking at hundreds of homes, Quinn Hewitt and Christopher Sargent eventually found an 1895 Victorian in the Parkdale neighborhood. Although the house was in great shape, it just didn't fit the couple's style. A year of renovations transformed this previously closed-off, six-bedroom home into an open and modern family space that brims with personality.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Quinn Hewitt and Christopher Sargent; their baby son, Otis; and cats Kaya and Loya
Location: Parkdale neighborhood of Toronto
Size: 2,500 square feet; 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms plus office
That's interesting: A sliding kitchen cupboard reveals a hidden staircase partially converted to a wine "cellar."
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Quinn Hewitt and Christopher Sargent; their baby son, Otis; and cats Kaya and Loya
Location: Parkdale neighborhood of Toronto
Size: 2,500 square feet; 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms plus office
That's interesting: A sliding kitchen cupboard reveals a hidden staircase partially converted to a wine "cellar."
| "We didn't want to do something that we were going to look back at in five years and regret," Hewitt says. "Our main goal was to mix the old and the new seamlessly." "We went with our guts," says Sargent. "If it felt warm and right, then we trusted that. In fact, this is why so much of the furniture we designed ourselves and had made or built in." Gray sofa: P.M. 042, Pavilion; gray chair: Pavilion; orange chair: Living Arts Design; coffee table, L'Atelier, Toronto |
The couple's main goal was to keep anything original or usable intact during the renovation — from the woodwork to the stained glass and moldings. The original wood-burning fireplace was stripped down to reveal the brick. The couple added a new hearth with vintage-inspired tile.
Art prints: The Paper Place
Art prints: The Paper Place
| The dining room is the exception to the home's light color palette. The deep, moody navy nods to the home's history and complements the sleek midcentury rosewood dining set and original chandelier. Paint: Drawing Room Blue, Farrow & Ball; dining furniture: In Abstracto |
| Inspired by Japanese and Scandinavian kitchens, Sargent worked with Dylan Barlow Cabinets to design the cherrywood kitchen. "I loved that there was original tin on the ceiling," says Sargent. "Unfortunately, when I got back after a day of demolition, the contractor had removed it all and thrown it out!" He was able to find an identical replacement. Appliances: Miele; refrigerator: Sub-Zero; faucet: Waterworks; ceiling lights, Drop 1 Pendant, Design Within Reach; doors: Ross Windows & Doors |
A touch of exposed brick works with the decidedly sleek but warm kitchen palette. "We love midcentury modern architecture, and Fallingwater was a big influence," says Sargent.
| A secret wine cellar sits behind this bank of custom cupboards in the home's original servant's staircase. "We didn't want to just rip out the old stairs even though we had covered up the staircase on the second floor with a bathroom," says Hewitt. |
| Instead, the couple had custom kitchen cupboards built that, when open, reveal the hidden staircase–turned–wine storage. |
| The secret staircase is painted in the same blue Farrow & Ball paint as the dining room, adding a hint of color to the cherrywood-toned kitchen. Black shelving stores the couple's wine. |
Hewitt and Sargent used to live in a converted loft and wanted to replicate the same open feeling in this house. There's a view through the entire home and out a window on each floor.
Chair: Vintage Allan Gould String
Chair: Vintage Allan Gould String
Dramatic black painted brick modernizes the second-floor bath, with its original toilet and claw-foot tub. The playful Eames Hang-It-All and teak-framed mirror speak to the couple's love of midcentury design.
What to know before painting brick
What to know before painting brick
Brass fixtures and period tile complete the bathroom.
Baby Otis' cozy and bright room is filled with special mementos the couple has found over the years. "I found the letters at the Rose Bowl Flea Market in Pasadena," Hewitt says.
Pendant: Nelson Saucer Lamp, Design Within Reach; crib: Century, DwellStudio, Ella and Elliot; dresser: Ella and Elliot; poster: L'Atelier, Toronto; rocker: Machine Age Modern
Pendant: Nelson Saucer Lamp, Design Within Reach; crib: Century, DwellStudio, Ella and Elliot; dresser: Ella and Elliot; poster: L'Atelier, Toronto; rocker: Machine Age Modern
| When Hewitt and Sargent were renovating, a baby was not yet in their immediate future. But they knew that eventually this would be their family home. The second floor of the home has two bedrooms that are connected by a tiny opening so future siblings can share secrets. |
| Huge windows and oversize furniture command the second-floor family room. Sofa: Tufted, Montauk; paint: Dix Blue, Farrow & Ball; pillows: L'atelier, Toronto; blanket: Mjolk; lamp: Tripod Floor Lamp, Design Within Reach; rug: Modern Weave |
| The bookshelves were built to match the antique lab tables underneath — combined with the ornate windows and sofa, these pieces create a beautiful mix of industrial style and elegance. Tables: Queen West Antique Centre; shelving: Treehouse Furniture, Toronto |
| A magnificant Serge Mouille three-arm ceiling light on the second floor illuminates the grand staircase. Art: "The Well," by Aron Wiesenfeld |
| The family loves hanging out on the third floor. "When we bought the house, it felt like a cave," Sargent says. "We wanted to have our bedroom up there, so we extended the ceilings to the roofline and put in nine skylights, a walk-in closet, master bath and office." Walnut built-ins from Treehouse Furniture in Toronto house the bed and plenty of storage. "It's definitely the most modern space in the house," says Hewitt. "It's a really great feeling when we get home from traveling and we crash into our own bed, look out the skylights, and say to each other, 'This is way better than any fancy hotel we've stayed at!'" Sconces: BL6, Bestlite |
Despite sloped ceilings, the master bathroom's layout works perfectly.
Working a modern layout into a century-old home was the pair's biggest challenge. "The hardest part was coming up with the new layout," says Hewitt. "We had to determine our priorities and needs, and made many lists on what we were and were not willing to compromise on."
Working a modern layout into a century-old home was the pair's biggest challenge. "The hardest part was coming up with the new layout," says Hewitt. "We had to determine our priorities and needs, and made many lists on what we were and were not willing to compromise on."
| A vintage teak credenza has been cleverly repurposed as a vanity. Cabinetry: Dylan Barlow Cabinets |
The couple painted the exterior trim charcoal gray and replaced all the windows. However, they were careful to keep the original stained glass and front door.
| Quinn Hewitt and Christopher Sargent shine a spotlight on Otis. See more photos of this house | Share your renovated Victorian with us |
Ideabook published on Feb. 24, 2013.
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Oh, yeah. Good job on the house, too.
What I like about this home is the balance of vintage and modern.
Nice place though.
So they gutted the place.
Cute baby and looks like well-done construction but I, like others, am confused by the choices made here.