Houzz Tour: Family Home Gets a Light and Breezy Modern Update
Earthy colors and textures, nature photography, clean lines and comfortable furniture create a sense of ease in Toronto
Living room. A new gray-and-white marble fireplace surround provides a beautiful focal point. “The design in here is more elevated than the family room’s but it’s not too formal,” Meisels says. She wanted to emphasize an organic color palette and materials to create the comfortable feeling the family was looking for.
An overdyed Oriental rug anchors the room with darker color and is a good example of old meets new. The stained oak mantel is simple and clean-lined. “The fun pillows add some earthiness to this more formal room,” Meisels says.
The living room is wide-open to the dining room and the homeowners love to gather here with their large extended family. Meisels helped them find comfortable swivel chairs for when the crowd takes up both rooms and the conversation moves around. A glass-topped coffee table keeps the view of the fireplace fairly clear, while its base brings in warm brass and wood textures.
Wall paint (throughout first floor, including on cabinetry): Cloud White, Benjamin Moore
An overdyed Oriental rug anchors the room with darker color and is a good example of old meets new. The stained oak mantel is simple and clean-lined. “The fun pillows add some earthiness to this more formal room,” Meisels says.
The living room is wide-open to the dining room and the homeowners love to gather here with their large extended family. Meisels helped them find comfortable swivel chairs for when the crowd takes up both rooms and the conversation moves around. A glass-topped coffee table keeps the view of the fireplace fairly clear, while its base brings in warm brass and wood textures.
Wall paint (throughout first floor, including on cabinetry): Cloud White, Benjamin Moore
Photo by Stacey Bradford
Dining room. The walnut dining table’s base gives it sculptural appeal. “Because they needed 10 chairs, we chose some that were smaller in scale and not too tall so that we could keep a light feeling,” Meisels says. LZF’s Link Suspension pendant is crafted from natural beech wood and floats like a cloud over the table.
“These homeowners love nature, especially the sea and the sky,” Meisels says. The photograph of the icy seascape came from their existing collection and works well with the blue-and-gray color palette.
Dining room. The walnut dining table’s base gives it sculptural appeal. “Because they needed 10 chairs, we chose some that were smaller in scale and not too tall so that we could keep a light feeling,” Meisels says. LZF’s Link Suspension pendant is crafted from natural beech wood and floats like a cloud over the table.
“These homeowners love nature, especially the sea and the sky,” Meisels says. The photograph of the icy seascape came from their existing collection and works well with the blue-and-gray color palette.
Kitchen. More navy blue provides crisp contrast in the mostly white kitchen, while walnut stools and brass finishes warm it up. The backsplash is a marble the homeowners had chosen before Meisels signed on. Its veining provides all the movement the kitchen needs.
Counters: Caesarstone; counter stools: Coolican & Company; browse more backless wood counter stools
Counters: Caesarstone; counter stools: Coolican & Company; browse more backless wood counter stools
Breakfast nook. The view out the large windows is the star of this area and Meisels didn’t want to distract from it, so she chose a classic midcentury modern tulip table and curvy comfortable chairs in white. An ethereal chandelier grabs attention without blocking the view. The cabinetry in this portion of the room contains home command central — the countertop serves as a charging station and the pinboard helps keep the family organized.
Chandelier: Moooi
Find interior designers in your area and see their projects
Chandelier: Moooi
Find interior designers in your area and see their projects
Photo by Stacey Bradford
Family room. Appropriately, the family room is the most family-friendly spot in the house. “We kept the furniture in here light so that it’s easy to move to make more room for playing on the floor, and we intentionally chose dark upholstery for the furniture,” Meisels says.
The clients chose marble for a clean-lined yet elegant fireplace surround. For the space above it, Meisels blew up and framed a landscape photograph taken during their travels. The rug is another overdyed vintage Oriental.
Family room. Appropriately, the family room is the most family-friendly spot in the house. “We kept the furniture in here light so that it’s easy to move to make more room for playing on the floor, and we intentionally chose dark upholstery for the furniture,” Meisels says.
The clients chose marble for a clean-lined yet elegant fireplace surround. For the space above it, Meisels blew up and framed a landscape photograph taken during their travels. The rug is another overdyed vintage Oriental.
Photo by Stacey Bradford
Meisel’s use of brass accents, Oriental rugs (in their original states and overdyed), walnut wood, marble and blue-grays creates continuity throughout the house.
Meisel’s use of brass accents, Oriental rugs (in their original states and overdyed), walnut wood, marble and blue-grays creates continuity throughout the house.
Master bedroom. Upstairs, the master bedroom continues the relaxed, comfortable and uncluttered feel. “We carried the blues and grays up here and kept it simple, cool and modern,” Meisels says. Another nature photograph adds to the calm feeling. Wall-mounted sconces and walnut nightstands nod to midcentury modern style.
Wall color: Balboa Mist, Benjamin Moore
Wall color: Balboa Mist, Benjamin Moore
The master bedroom had an awkward nook that the designer transformed into a cozy reading spot. The parents can cuddle up with a child in the midcentury modern Womb chair for reading time.
Master bathroom. More marble is seen in the master bath’s shower, warmed by brass hardware and fixtures.
See more brass and gold shower fixtures
See more brass and gold shower fixtures
Two large mirrored medicine cabinets provide storage space over the vanity. The countertop is Caesarstone and the faucets are unlacquered brass.
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More home tours: Apartments | Small Homes | Colorful Homes | Contemporary Homes | Eclectic Homes | Farmhouses | Midcentury Homes | Modern Homes | Ranch Homes | Traditional Homes | Transitional Homes | All
House at a Glance
Who lives here: A young couple with a toddler and another child on the way
Location: Toronto
Size: 2,500 square feet (232 square meters); four bedrooms, three bathrooms plus a finished basement with one bedroom, one bathroom
Designer: Shirley Meisels
“This family was looking for something very comfortable, happy and family-friendly — nothing too fussy or formal,” interior designer Shirley Meisels says. With one toddler and another child on the way, the clients wanted to give their dated 1940s Toronto home a refresh that would make it feel relaxed and light.
Before, the house had smaller divided rooms and doorways and lots of overdone, dated millwork. Now artful touches, well-placed dashes of color, large photographs of nature, new millwork and special light fixtures make the home feel fresh and stylish.
Scope of work. When Meisels came on board, the couple had already begun the construction process but needed her help choosing finishes, materials such as countertops, furniture, accessories, lighting, window coverings, artwork and more.
Style. This compact entryway sets the tone for the rest of the house: traditional style updated in a breezy and modern way. The mirror provides a focal point, and its antiqued finish lends a sense of age. So does the Oriental rug, which belonged to one of the homeowners’ grandmothers. Meisels had the bench custom made to fit the space, and a new built-in cabinet to the right helps keep things organized.
The updated millwork nods to traditional style but isn’t overdone. The modern light from FLOS and the new contemporary staircase railing signal to visitors that a balanced mix of styles awaits.