Mid-century modern design meets vintage drama
A clear vision
by Christine Roberts • photos Janet Kwan
During the initial consult with our clients, it was obvious the homeowners knew what they wanted – and what they didn’t want. Their vision was clear — to transform the main floor of their historic semi-detached Toronto home in Parkdale, maintain the original charm, and keep all the walls using colours and patterns to add character to the space. What they didn’t want, was an “open concept, white kitchen with a huge island.” They also didn’t want anything too trendy, and instead preferred to add some whimsy, fun and drama.
The result is a mid-century modern design using vintage items, antiques and local sources where possible.
Making the pieces fit
Intrinsic to the overall design was a desire for each room to have its own character and be dramatically different from the next. The trick was to ensure a flow throughout the home, making every room its own “show-stopper” yet maintaining a cohesive harmony from room to room, instead of a confusing and chaotic series of disconnected spaces.
Choosing high-quality materials, fixtures and furnishings ensured the result would be a stunning example of how to design small spaces with big impact. Each item was meticulously chosen for its functionality, but it also had to be gorgeous.
First impressions
To meet the clients’ desire for a bold front entry that would set the tone for the house when guests arrived, a funky graphic wallpaper was installed above the wainscoting and wrapped onto the ceiling and all the way up to the stairs. The effect gives the area a sense of whimsy, but also of spaciousness.
Kitchen concerns
The homeowners decided on custom millwork for the kitchen upgrade. The goal was for each section to be designed to the inch, with the layout of the interiors of the cabinets meeting the clients’ unique needs to a tee.
To do this, careful planning, from the floorplan and cabinetry down to every little detail in the compact layout, was key. It took weeks of laying out the exact configuration, labelling what was going into each cabinet to make it work efficiently and store everything away. Countertops needed to stay clear, so a space was designed to hide small appliances and kitchen tools, while being readily available when needed.
Walnut was chosen for the cabinets for its depth and beauty and paired with a soft peachy pink hue for the uppers and interiors.
A quartz from Cambria that resembles soapstone was selected for the countertops and backsplash, and the double-door pantry was equipped with in-door shelves, appliance storage and a charging station. Hidden interior storage drawers below were painted in the same soft pink shade.
Breakfast bliss
In the breakfast room, the doorway header was removed to open up the entryway, which not only brought more light into the kitchen, but also eased the transition between these areas. The floor was levelled, and the same terrazzo-inspired tile was incorporated throughout to make it feel cohesive, while adding some colour and fun underfoot.
The rich walnut wall-to-wall cabinetry with slat fronts anchors the room and carries the mid-century look into the space that the clients love, while acting as a large storage unit.
The centre glass cabinet, with its peachy-pink interior, showcases a vintage silver collection and serving pieces inherited from the homeowners’ families.
A curved breakfast bar was designed to fit next to the back door and is where the toaster and other appliances, glassware and dishes are stored to keep the counters bare.
The room is now used all day – as a morning coffee spot, a work-from-home space, and as a casual dining option for evenings.
Where the living – and dining – is easy
In the living room, the fireplace wall was completely redesigned to allow for a new gas insert. An antique mantel was sourced, which paired well with the rich green tile around the fireplace surround. Adding a deep taupe colour to the walls and ceiling introduced a cosy and inviting ambience to the space. Custom upholstered chairs in green leather made a bold statement, and tied it to the tile on the fireplace.
For the dining room, the homeowners wanted it to look and feel like a speakeasy/private supper club. Colour-drenching the walls and ceiling in a deep peacock blue set the tone, while smoky mirrored panels between the brass wall sconces bounce colour and light around the space. A mid-century modern chandelier completed the look.
The table is from a local vintage dealer and the chairs are the client’s own, recovered in a textured performance fabric in a matching blue hue. The original exterior window opening that is shared with the breakfast room was retained and raised in height to allow for a vintage teak console to function as a bar.
A place to call home
As with all older homes, this renovation had some challenges, but with the homeowners’ wishes in mind and some creative thinking, the end result was worth it.