Saturday, August 8, 2009

Unpublished Photos of a Designer Townhouse in Summerhill

Summerhill is one of Toronto’s premier neighborhoods and I was very lucky to stay there for 4 days this past week with a beautiful couple in their 4 level townhouse. I was given permission to feature their stunning home--which could have been in a magazine--on the condition that they remain anonymous. So here’s the start of the tour, the view of the garden from their patio;

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All images by Maria Killam

Look at these huge white hydrangeas! They aren't that big in Vancouver! Here’s the view from the edge of the deck (below):

Toronto 002 Here is a photo of the patio going into the living room (which is next on the tour):

Toronto 051 I had to get a picture in this setting because my sweater matched the decor on the table!

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Maria Killam

Placemats were from Crate & Barrel (which we do not have in Vancouver) so I ran out and bought the exact same ones from their location in Yorkdale just before I flew back home! See the succulent in the pot? Such a great idea for a centerpiece outside in the heat of Toronto summers!

Toronto 053 Look at this gorgeous cheese plate (another find from Crate & Barrel). They were such fabulous hosts I truly felt like I was staying at the Four Seasons hotel! Everything was perfection down to the earplugs in the guestroom (to block out the traffic).

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Coffee table by Martha Sturdy (above).

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Beautiful granite fireplace with accent wall!

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Love the splash of colour here and especially the stunning asian wood sculpture picked up in their travels! The cabinet was designed as a pedestal to display it, in addition to defining the living room from the entry to the stairs going downstairs.

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Their home was filled with art, many pieces from Ian Varney, a local artist in Toronto!

Toronto 014 The kitchen was gorgeous (my pictures didn’t work out so well), limestone countertops including the backsplash behind the stove. Shown above, is the stainless mosaic backsplash – notice the absence of unsightly plugs? They were installed underneath the cabinets alongside the puck lights.Toronto 059This image (above) is really dark, but I had to show you the cabinets because they are from IKEA, which were custom sized by a master carpenter!

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Here is the dining room, with art again by Ian Varney.

Toronto 056Master bedroom sitting area with the stunning limestone fireplace! (I just realized I didn’t get a picture of the bed with the Barbara Barry end tables and another beautiful piece of art)

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Re-finished parquet flooring throughout the house! The dressing area (again with IKEA Cabinets) leading to the master bathroom.

Toronto 015 I had to snap this photo of the twin mats positioned halfway underneath the cabinets (the stylist in me notices these little details).

Toronto 016Lovely vignette here!

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At the 4th floor (the guest room floor) I had to show you the view all the way down to the first! Toronto 064

They read in my blog profile that I love the scent of Casablanca Lilies so this is what greeted me in my room!

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When you get to the top of the stairs, the guest room is on the left, the bathroom (you can see a little of it on the left of this photo) and the sitting room with balcony is on the right)

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It is such a luxury to have a space just for guests! My friends are such a great couple, they have been together for many years, have travelled and lived all over the world, it was so great to be with them!

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I love the votive candle holders on the coffee table! Area rug from Home Depot, and lamp from IKEA. If you have enough ‘bling’ in the room, you can get away with more inexpensive items that fool everyone!

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Here they are lit in the evening, shown with Barcelona chairs and beautiful built in bookcases.

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This is the covered patio straight out of a Pottery Barn Catalogue (I’m not sure, the furniture might be from Crate & Barrel)!

Toronto 030 Love the hurricane lanterns with another little IKEA find (the lamps).

Toronto 025 I had the best time, thank you again to my perfect hosts!

If you would like your home to fill you with happiness every time you walk in, contact me for on-line or in-person consultations.

Related posts:

If you are going to have a Cottage in the Country this is the one!

Kate Spade’s Living room

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