Project Profile: Crawford Street, Toronto

October 12, 2012 By designerfriend in Designer Friend Tags: carrara marble, crawford street, Mattu Building Specialists, Melissa Davis, modern design, renovation, white oak floors 1 Comment

We shared the MLS listing on this project a few months ago when it was listed for sale. Selling for a record 1.6 million in the Queen West, Trinity Bellwoods area this home set a new bar for the neighbourhood.

When we began working with Matuu Building Specialists on this project, it was fully gutted, with only the original brick exterior maintained. The home was rebuilt, starting with a new basement walk-out, lowering and underpinning, with now full basement apartment, and wine cellar. The front facade was redone, windows replaced, and the traditional front porch was removed and modernized with a full width Ipe stair and canopy.

The main floor rear elevation was removed, and a full width accordion door was installed allowing the family room to be 100% open to the backyard. The second floor was replanned and the stair placement reconfigured to optimise the space, allowing for 3 full bedrooms, a family washroom, laundry room, and open office which leads to a new juliet balcony. On the third floor we popped-up the roof line and extended allowing the addition of a spa washroom, and walkout to new roof deck, as well as sizeable master suite.

Finishing features, rift-cut white oak floors, recessed baseboards, and open-tread floating stairs from main to second floor.

YDF Designed Victorian sells for 100k over asking

May 20, 2010 By designerfriend in Designer Friend, Interior design, Toronto Tags: black slate, classic design, contemporary, glass shower, glengrove, marble mosaic, Matthew Creelman, Melissa Davis, renovation, residential, shaker style, YDF, Your Designer Friend 2 Comments

They’re selling like hot cakes! Well, two of them anyway…..

The second YDF designed project to hit the market this week is in Lytton Park, Toronto. Listed on Tuesday and sold Wednesday for 100k over asking, at just under 2 million!

This 6 bedroom, 5 bathroom Victorian century old home, received a modern facelift from our team. YDF designed and Mattuu Building Specialist (Matt Creelman) renovated, we updated the kitchen, bathroom and sunroom in a classic contemporary style as well as freshened the entire house with paint and drapery.

The main floor sunroom received custom wainscoting, and bead board ceilings, all new windows and a bright new colour scheme.

The custom kitchen in a cream shaker panel was accented by the polished black granite counters, mosaic marble backsplash and black slate floors in a more modern 12×24 size.

I reconfigured the master bath, adding a double size marble shower c/w bench, two rain heads and separate hand-held. The wall-mounted floating vanity with vessel sinks and marble top modernized the space, while its recessed door style maintained a distinctly classic tone. The black slate floors were continued here, over new radiant heating below. A water fed, wall-mounted towel warmer, doubles as the room’s secondary heat supply.

TPL: Bloor/Dufferin Branch Renovation

August 14, 2009 By designerfriend in Architecture, Toronto Tags: 1913, arcitecture, bloor, design, dick, differin, ERA, hadley, library, moden, moooi random light, public libray, renovation, rounthwaite, shoalts, Toronto, TPL, YDF, zaback 2 Comments

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The Bloor/Dufferin branch of the Toronto Public Library reopened its doors this July after a 3 year, 9,000 sq ft renovation and addition. The existing structure was built in 1913 and carries all of its original classic charm indicative of the time. The Architects, architects rounthwaite, dick and hadley, in association with Shoalts and Zaback and ERA beautifully married the history and detailing of the old, with their contemporary glass box addition.

The new glass addition mimics the height and depth of the existing classic structure. Inside, by removing key existing partitions a flood of light is free to wash throughout the space. Existing elements such as two original fireplaces were exposed and refurbished along with endless classic moulding and details. A palette of white walls, clear glazing and punches of vibrant colour on the furnishings create a beautifully simplistic space as warm and inviting as it is contemporary.

The new space boasts a partial green roof, expanded landscaping and an outdoor reading garden. These details speak to the TPL’s commitment to the community and their record of excellence. The TPL is currently ranked as the second-most-used library system on the planet, after Hong Kong’s. In a continued effort to evolve with the changing demands of its visitors, the formality of the past although shyly present still, has made way for a friendlier homier tone. Their mandate was to create a space for everyone: the space is filled with small nooks and spaces allowing everyone to find their own. Free wifi is available throughout the space and food and drinks are now welcome. There are areas for students to focus in silence and open space for casual visitors to sip their latte and scan the shelves as they wood at a favourite book store.

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sources[ joeclark , rdharch, nowtoronto.com]

I sat on a patio today…..did you?

March 28, 2009 By designerfriend in Designer Friend, Exterior, Furniture Tags: backyard, brunch, contemporary, Filter, horizontal installation, Lowes, Melissa Davis, metal, modern, patio stones, patio weather, pressure treated wood, renovation, spring, Teo Paul, union restaurant, YDF 1 Comment

fence

I’m in love with my contractor. Ok, well maybe it’s more luv, than love, but these days it feels like the real thing! I do use many trades and contractors, project appropriate. Lately there has been one standout star in the bunch. Matt “the man” Creelman, I lo(u)ve you and your fashionable work boots.

So, what are Matt and I working on next? The city came to life this week. Temperatures rose into the double digits, and with that, the patios opened and the backyard becomes the new obsession. Union restaurant is so heavenly close to completion, I’m a bit gitty. What spring opening requires, is a back patio. That soon to be infamous brunch by chef, Teo Paul will be served up, out back under the shady tree, with a bit of help from Matt and his team.

Conveniently, we’re doing a residential backyard reno in the same hood as Union. Matt’s crew is installing new contemporary fencing down both lengths of the yard. We’re just using a standard 6″ pressure treated board, but installing it horizontally and on the face of the support posts. This is a simpler install and keeps labour costs a bit lower, and it looks more modern. The image above is an example of this style. Like I always say, it’s all about the details! Find images of yards you love, and work with the contractor to see how it can be recreated in your budget. Pressure treated wood is just fine, and less maintenance then say, cedar. Don’t be afraid to dream big! There is always a way to make it happen….just takes a bit of creative thinking!

The client selected a standard but upgraded, dark grey patio stone that will work well to complete the contemporary style. There will also be a few design additions to the yard…..otherwise, what am I doing all summer?! The fence will wrap down and create a long bench on one side, which we’ll have cushions made for. We’re also having a custom table built and clad with reclaimed wood.

Patio splendor happens in this yard. BBQ’s rage, guitars come out, people sing. Good times happen. The end product will be a social hub for the owner, and her guests. I will absolutely, share some photos as we get going…

Back yard updates can be remarkably affordable. If you need any help, do let me know. I will send Matt your way…..as long as you promise to give him back!

Here are a few of my latest backyard finds! There’s a metal theme…

bench metal bench $695 from Filter. It isn’t cheap, but it will stand the test of time!

12045_pe089408_s3 Metal Planters $25-$75 from Ikea.

Tip* Use a few with planted cedars to create separation between exterior spaces

chairs

metal chairs $195 as shown from Filter. They will refinish them shiny new, but I like them like this!

light

metal light $24.95 from Lowes

Catherine + Davis

Interior Design and Decoration

Tag Archives: renovation

Project Profile: Crawford Street, Toronto

YDF Designed Victorian sells for 100k over asking

TPL: Bloor/Dufferin Branch Renovation

I sat on a patio today…..did you?

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