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Houzz Tour: Clean, Chic and Cost-Effective
Canadian designer Jennifer Hannotte designs her Edwardian home in a modern style that can grow with her family
Purchasing an older home almost always means there will be some remodeling involved. When Interior designer Jennifer Hannotte moved into an early 20th century Edwardian in Toronto, she knew she was going to have to make some necessary changes. Because she was working on a budget, compromising some things was a must — but style wasn't one of them.
By combining inexpensive with expensive and vintage with new, Hannotte transformed this 2,000-square-foot house into an open and cozy home. She has two children, so making the best possible use of space and sticking with a classic, clean style was a necessity.
By combining inexpensive with expensive and vintage with new, Hannotte transformed this 2,000-square-foot house into an open and cozy home. She has two children, so making the best possible use of space and sticking with a classic, clean style was a necessity.
When Hannotte moved in, everything was in its original condition, except for parts of the kitchen renovated in the 1960s. She didn't have a budget for a complete remodel, so she made compromises. "The kitchen is mean to be a stopgap between the completely inefficient space that existed and a future renovation," she says. "It meant we could take risks and play around."
Pendant: Mathew Birch for Russet and Empire Interiors; paint on floor: Behr Paint, Ashes; table: West Elm Tripod Table; stools: vintage (Craigslist); stool: Toledo Chair, Restoration Hardware; cabinetry, countertop, faucet: Ikea
Pendant: Mathew Birch for Russet and Empire Interiors; paint on floor: Behr Paint, Ashes; table: West Elm Tripod Table; stools: vintage (Craigslist); stool: Toledo Chair, Restoration Hardware; cabinetry, countertop, faucet: Ikea
To cut costs, Hannotte used the original subfloor and painted it instead of buying and installing new hardwood. In lieu of an expensive tile backsplash, she installed large pieces of plywood with matching shelving. These cost-cutting choices allowed her to spend on new appliances and cabinetry.
Desk lamp: Tral work lamp, Ikea; coffee machine: Breville Barista Express espresso machine
Desk lamp: Tral work lamp, Ikea; coffee machine: Breville Barista Express espresso machine
"I love the kitchen because it's gutsy," Hannotte says. Using these materials makes her space modern and unique, but they also have a great practical side. In the future, it'll be easier for Hannotte to build off of these surfaces with more luxurious materials if and when she wants to do a complete remodel.
Hannotte wanted a look that was influenced by simple, Scandinavian design, but still had a distinctly Canadian look. "It has to feel open and cozy and once, and authentically us," she says. Splashes of neutral against a white background and midcentury-inspired furniture in cozy textiles helped her achieve this look.
Calendar: Stendig Calendar
Calendar: Stendig Calendar
The color palette on the main floor is subtle and soothing. Hannotte stuck with white walls on this floor, and chose the rest of her colors in a very organic process. The butterfly chair and the sofa came first, and then she decided to add in color and pattern with the kilim pillows and Ikea rug. "The living room is so completely effortless and comfortable," she says.
Couch: Crate and Barrel
Pillows: Etsy
Rug: Ikea
Pouf: CB2
Couch: Crate and Barrel
Pillows: Etsy
Rug: Ikea
Pouf: CB2
All three stories in the home great natural light, but the framing of the windows left a little to be desired. Since it wasn't within Hannotte's budget to replace the windows, she decided to purchase Enje blinds from Ikea and put them up in almost every window. This hides the ugly bits, but still allows light to shine through.
Table: Gus Modern (found on Craigslist)
Chairs: Vintage Thonet Cesca Chairs
Shelving unit: Vintage Teak
Table: Gus Modern (found on Craigslist)
Chairs: Vintage Thonet Cesca Chairs
Shelving unit: Vintage Teak
Almost all the unique architectural details in this home were existing — including the beautiful green tile around the fireplace — so it was really just a matter of styling what was already there. A vintage kilim rug, molded Eames chair and vintage table, chairs and shelving unit give this dining room a sophisticated but warm and worn-in feel.
The second floor was done in a lighter and brighter palette, since it's a kid space. Hannotte is currently working on the third floor now, which has the master bedroom, and is using a combination of rich jewel tones.
This playroom plays off of a cheerful red and turquoise color scheme. Painting the fireplace a fun turquoise keeps the bulky addition from feeling too heavy.
Fireplace color: Behr Paint
Rug and slide: Ikea
This playroom plays off of a cheerful red and turquoise color scheme. Painting the fireplace a fun turquoise keeps the bulky addition from feeling too heavy.
Fireplace color: Behr Paint
Rug and slide: Ikea
Hannotte wanted each child's room to give them room to grow — in both space and style. "It was important to make decisions that could grow and ensure the space was comfortable and playful," she says.
Wall color: Behr Paint, Poppy; crib: Sears; rocking chair: Molded Eames Plastic Rocker; sheepskin: Ikea
Wall color: Behr Paint, Poppy; crib: Sears; rocking chair: Molded Eames Plastic Rocker; sheepskin: Ikea
Hannotte's daughter's room combines whimsical and classic elements and personalized bits and pieces — art, textiles and accessories — that will be easy to swap out later.
Bedding and mobile: Ikea
Map: Vintage
Bedding and mobile: Ikea
Map: Vintage
The upstairs bathroom is one of Hannotte's favorite spaces in the house. This was one of the rooms that needed to be completely remodeled, but it was done with a combination of new and old materials — the tub is antique but the sink is new.
Wallpaper: Ferm Living, Wildflower; stainless steel shelving: Ikea; storage tower: Kartell
Wallpaper: Ferm Living, Wildflower; stainless steel shelving: Ikea; storage tower: Kartell
"I love the bathroom because people have no idea if it's original or renovated!" Hannotte says. A ruffled shower curtain and modern bathroom textiles and wallpaper play off of the contemporary side of this bathroom.
Shower curtain: Urban Outfitters
Photography by Angus Fergusson, Naomi Finlay and Kristen Sjaarda
More Houzz Tours:
A Modern Romance in Ontario
The Home that Launched Naked Decor
Clean, Colorful and Collected in Denmark
Shower curtain: Urban Outfitters
Photography by Angus Fergusson, Naomi Finlay and Kristen Sjaarda
More Houzz Tours:
A Modern Romance in Ontario
The Home that Launched Naked Decor
Clean, Colorful and Collected in Denmark
Ideabook published on Feb. 10, 2012.
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Would love to know where you got the floor-to-ceiling shelf in the dining room. Is "Vintage Teak" a store in Toronto or is that just a description of the shelf?