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Unpublished Photos of a Designer Townhouse in Summerhill

By 08/08/2009January 26th, 201728 Comments

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! So here’s the start of the tour, the view of the garden from their patio;

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):

Here is a photo of the patio going into the living room (which is next on the tour):
I had to get a picture in this setting because my sweater matched the decor on the table!

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!
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).

Coffee table by Martha Sturdy (above).
Beautiful granite fireplace with accent wall!

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.

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

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.


This 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!

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

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

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

Lovely vignette here!

At the 4th floor (the guest room floor) I had to show you the view all the way down to the first!
 
They read in my blog profile that I love the scent of Casablanca Lilies so this is what greeted me in my room!
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).
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!

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!


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

This is the covered patio straight out of a Pottery Barn Catalogue (I’m not sure, the furniture might be from Crate & Barrel)!
Love the hurricane lanterns with another little IKEA find (the lamps).
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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28 Comments

  • hzgrace says:

    I feel relaxed just reading your post. There wasn't one thing in their home I didn't love. The only thing wrong was … I wasn't there lol
    So glad you had amazing time and thank your friends for sharing their home with us
    Blessings on your day!

  • Design Esquire says:

    Wow! What a beautifully decorated home, but it doesn't feel like a museum, even with all the quality pieces. You can tell the home is loved and lived in, and the owners put everything together thoughtfully. The patio is fabulous. Thank you for sharing this beautiful home with us.

  • Brillante Home Decor says:

    From the flowers in the garden to the interior decoration, to food and drinks served, to Maria glowing at the table…what a beautiful post and how lucky for you to be there.

  • Gloria Lemay says:

    Okay, so now you have distinguished plug ins as "ugly". . my life is ruined!

  • Pam Kersting says:

    Your'e right Maria, it is a stunning townhouse! I just love their taste! They make it look effortless! This is the kind of home I want to live in! Thank you so much for sharing it with us.

  • Things That Inspire says:

    Maria, I thoroughly enjoyed this tour! What a beautiful home, although we just got a small glimpse of the garden, it looks like it fits in beautifully with its environment.

    The chair with the pop of orange was my favorite! I also loved the outdoor dining area.

    Please thank your gracious hosts for allowing you to post this inspirational home!

  • s. says:

    Oooh, I do love Summerhill! Not as ostentatious as many neighbourhoods in Toronto but many a perfectly-formed, lovely city houses.

    Please note: Crate & Barrel is in YorkDALE, not YorkVILLE…

    I hope you'll give us a heads up in advance, next time you're coming to Toronto. It would be great to get some of your local fans together and go for a drink with you; also, a friend here in the city is dying for a consultation with you.

  • Karena says:

    What a treat to stay in such a lovely abode with such gracious hosts. They have great taste in art as well as furnishings. The outdoor spaces look soooo relaxing!

  • Maria Killam says:

    Dear s.
    Thank you for the correction on Yorkdale! And yes I didn't think to do a post prior to my trip to Toronto and now I'm so sorry I didn't!!
    Maria

  • Kelee Katillac says:

    It is so refined and cultivated. Love the restraint!
    Very quiet…..and some ethereal vignettes. Thanks for sharing it!

  • Windlost says:

    My gosh, what a clean design and beautifully decorated home. I am not generally a fan of modern/clean-lined contemporary interiors, but this is so warmly done and beautifully styled. A very talented decorator lives here. I love that granite fireplace….exquisite.

    I lived in Toronto for years and know Summerhill well. I played tennis there and visited the shops often, especially the great LCBO!! What a treat to live here in this beautiful space. Great job you guys, and nice pics Maria. Thanks for sharing.

    xo Terri

  • Jane says:

    Thank you for sharing this lovely townhouse. From the white hydrangeas (I have never seen this color!) to the ending balcony overlooking the rrees, I was transported to a different time…and place. Your hosts have wonderful taste…and a true sense of hospitality.

    Jane (Artfully Graced)

  • Lauren says:

    amazing!!!! so clean & fresh & collected-feeling. you must've just had the most relaxing time there.

    I've missed you & need to catch up on the posts I've missed!!!
    xoxo

  • viera says:

    Thank you for sharing this lovely house with us. Garden view is just amazing.
    X
    V

  • The Antiques Diva™ says:

    Of course they want to remain anonymous – otherwise they might be overrun with people ringing their doorbell for a peak inside! Gorgeous… I can't decide what's my favorite bit, but indeed this could be on the cover of Architectural Digest!

    Just discovered you by the way. Was popping around La Dolce Vita blog and stumbled onto a link to yours… delighted to meet you.

    Yours,
    Toma (aka The Antiques Diva)

  • Linda/"Mom" says:

    * Thank you Maria, for sharing this wonderfully comfy, beautifully-done home…. It's soooo C*H*A*R*M*I*N*G and obviously has their very special, "personal" touch!

    I could be sooo relaxed & happy spending time here (good thing your friends remained anonymous!)…

    Best,
    Linda in AZ *

  • Anna Beaudry Photographic Design says:

    Wow, such a visually peaceful place to holiday, it must be divine decadence to live there! I thoroughly enjoyed looking through your photographs…you even captured the twinkling light of the candles!

  • Anonymous says:

    Thanks for the peek of the dark refinished parquet. I am debating between refinishing or new floors and I quite like the look shown here.

  • Amber Beall says:

    What a gorgeous place! All I could think as I scrolled through was "how do they keep their floors so clean?" LOL

    ps – Am reading every SINGLE ONE of your posts I've missed and will be commenting so that I can't be accused of being a shoddy subscriber 🙂 Prepare yourself for comments!

    pps – That's a succulent on their patio table, not a cactus *muah!*

  • Maria Killam says:

    Dear Amber,
    Thank you so much for the correction! I knew it wasn't a cactus but couldn't think of the word for succulent! Thank God for my sharp readers 🙂
    x
    Maria

  • Velvet and Linen says:

    I laughed when I read that you had to photograph yourself because your outfit matched the setting! It shows how perfectly suited you are to your profession, Maria.
    As you know, I have been drawn to more contemporary, clean designs lately so I thoroughly enjoyed this tour. The bathroom is stunning. How wonderful to have a sculpture in the shower.

    xo
    Brooke

  • Rachel says:

    love the mix of expensive showcase items co-mingling with more obtainable things from Ikea. just gorgeous…

  • chanteusevca says:

    What an inspiring and relaxing place for a holiday! And what wonderful friends you have! Those hydrangeas are to live for. Mine here in Texas may never bloom that profusely, but at least I have a few and I can dream that mine will one day look as lush. Love that splash of orange in the chair and the wonderful mix in their lovely home. Thank you and your friends for sharing it with us. I just adore it when people share their lovely homes with us.

    ~ Victoria

  • Design Junkie says:

    just beautiful

  • mrsben says:

    Ooooooo, LOVE LOVE the Granite F/Place! Thanks for the wonderful tour. -Brenda-

  • Lara Harris says:

    Thanks for sharing the info about Ian Varney, I love to learn about new artists!He does beautiful work!

  • Between you, me and the Fencepost says:

    I agree with Gloria. I didn't realise plug ins were a detail to think about when doing a kitchen. Another thing to add to my list. What a beautiful place. How thoughtful were these people right down to the flowers in your guest bedroom. So civilised.

  • Mildred says:

    I love the gray Accent wall with the granite fireplace can you tell me the color I absolutely love it. Thank you

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