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Houzz Tour: Space-Maximized Victorian in Toronto
Thoughtful storage and an eye for color and pattern help a Canadian designer fashion a quirky, modern home
Living in a three-story Victorian sounds like a dream come true for some homeowners, but for designer Shirley Meisels it was a struggle. The house was beautiful but impractical for her family, so she started hunting for an opportunity to downsize. Meisels found another Victorian tucked away in midtown Toronto. The 1,500-square-foot home had less space but still retained the high ceilings and structural bones of a Victorian. Meisels outfitted it with functional storage, space-saving solutions, and classic furniture punctuated with color and pattern.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Shirley Meisels and her family
Location: Toronto, Ontario
Size: 1,500 square feet
That's interesting: A few days after Meisels bought the home, it was on the front page of the real estate section of the newspaper, with the headline "Ugly Duckling." "I was very proud of that headline, because I could already see the transformation in my mind's eye," she says.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Shirley Meisels and her family
Location: Toronto, Ontario
Size: 1,500 square feet
That's interesting: A few days after Meisels bought the home, it was on the front page of the real estate section of the newspaper, with the headline "Ugly Duckling." "I was very proud of that headline, because I could already see the transformation in my mind's eye," she says.
by Shirley Meisels
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Despite its "ugly duckling" reputation, Meisels knew this home had good bones. The house is located in a part of Toronto where some of the last Victorians in the city were built, so most of the homes have high ceilings. "A few blocks north, the houses are newer — maybe 1920s — and the ceilings drop," Meisels says.
In the formal dining room, a chandelier emphasizes the room's high ceiling, and Meisels' vintage vase collection adds color to a clean-lined dining set.
In the formal dining room, a chandelier emphasizes the room's high ceiling, and Meisels' vintage vase collection adds color to a clean-lined dining set.
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by Shirley Meisels
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| Vintage furniture dominates the rooms. The thrill of the hunt is partly what draws Meisels to these pieces — as well as the endless customizations. "These items tend to be more whimsical and less expensive, with good-quality basics," she says. "I think this combination is what makes my home feel warm, inviting and a bit quirky while still maintaining its modernity." |
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Meisels fell in love with this home's Victorian bones and more modern layout — each room had been more thought out in terms of space, flow and storage. "I actually find that this house feels larger than my old one," she says. "We use every square inch here, where before I was heating so many unused rooms."
Chairs: re-covered in Robert Allen Entrelazos; ottomans: Target, re-covered in Missoni fabric; sofa: custom; lamp: vintage
Chairs: re-covered in Robert Allen Entrelazos; ottomans: Target, re-covered in Missoni fabric; sofa: custom; lamp: vintage
by Shirley Meisels
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The narrow front hallway provided some spatial challenges. There was no coat closet, so Meisels had to figure out a way to integrate storage without taking up too much space. Sliding in a narrow cabinet allowed for adequate storage and reinforces the wall as a divider between the dining room and hall.
Pendant: vintage; wallpaper: Osbourne & Little, Asuka
Pendant: vintage; wallpaper: Osbourne & Little, Asuka
by Shirley Meisels
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Meisels converted one of the home's original three bedrooms into her office. Built-in shelving and a desk provides plenty of storage, and the room is large enough for a vintage chaise and work table.
Table lamp: Restoration Hardware with custom shade
Table lamp: Restoration Hardware with custom shade
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| Meisels designed the master bedroom with functionality in mind. She's not someone who remembers to hang up clothes consistently, and this is partly why she built the dividing wall behind the bed. A pass-through closet is tucked behind this wall; she can make a mess there and no one would know it from a glance into the bedroom. "If I had a traditional closet, my clothes would be piled on the floor in front," she says . Wallpaper: Elitis, Fleurs Découpées; bedding: Matteo; bed frame: custom; sconce: vintage; chandelier: vintage |
by Shirley Meisels
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Most of the home has neutral undertones, and Meisels brought the same ideas to her daughter's room. "If there's a common tone to color, then you don't really have to match everything perfectly. My daughter's room has pink, but it's not really a pink room," she says.
Wallpaper: Anthropologie; bedding: Pottery Barn and Urban Outfitters, Bella Notte; bed frame: custom
Wallpaper: Anthropologie; bedding: Pottery Barn and Urban Outfitters, Bella Notte; bed frame: custom
by Shirley Meisels
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Meisels quickly learned to take advantage of as much space as possible — even it it meant inches rather than feet. "Niches in walls, under stairwells and behind cabinets are all key and worth investigating," she says.
Rug: Elte; chair: vintage, re-covered in Robert Allen Cat's Cradle
Rug: Elte; chair: vintage, re-covered in Robert Allen Cat's Cradle
by Shirley Meisels
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A Calacatta marble backsplash and countertops give the kitchen a modern but timeless look. Meisels kept the space clean but functional by installing large pull-outs and pantry space into her cabinetry. "Function is the most important thing," she says. "Really think about how you live. What are your habits?"
Countertops: Calacatta; backsplash: Calacatta mosaic; bar stools: Umbra; cabinetry: O'Sullivan Millwork
Countertops: Calacatta; backsplash: Calacatta mosaic; bar stools: Umbra; cabinetry: O'Sullivan Millwork
by Shirley Meisels
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A chalky gray exterior reflects the home's modern interior design. Synthetic grass makes the small backyard livable and colorful, and saves money and time in the long run.
When remodeling a home, Meisels suggests designing from the inside out, with a clear layout in mind. "This way, you can avoid mistakes, like a window right where you could have fit a desk in a bedroom," she says.
When remodeling a home, Meisels suggests designing from the inside out, with a clear layout in mind. "This way, you can avoid mistakes, like a window right where you could have fit a desk in a bedroom," she says.
by Shirley Meisels
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Meisels was torn between having a small master bath and a small main bath, or devoting all of the space to one large bathroom. "I ultimately came to the conclusion that if any one single space in the house was small and pokey, then the house would feel small," she says. So she abandoned the idea of a master bath and instead built a generous family bath that would look at home in a larger house. "People are always surprised when I tell them how many square feet I have," she says.
Tile: Luna Honed stone tile; vanity: O'Sullivan Millwork; wall paint: Revere Pewter, Benjamin Moore
More:
Houzz Tour: Builder's Beige Gets a Makeover
Global Architectural Style: Victorian
Tile: Luna Honed stone tile; vanity: O'Sullivan Millwork; wall paint: Revere Pewter, Benjamin Moore
More:
Houzz Tour: Builder's Beige Gets a Makeover
Global Architectural Style: Victorian
Comments
beckyg63 It is a good use of space, but many of the "design" elements are so predictable. How many pictures of a modern dining table with one large piece of art must we see? how many white on white kitchens? Color does not make a space look smaller. As for one bath - you eliminate so many buyers. I've remodeled 3 homes under 1500 SF where a good use of space can make a smaller bath seem large - it just can't be predictable.
13 months ago · Like
Becky Harris I love Shirley's work so it was a special treat to get to see her own home. Great tour!
13 months ago · Like
elle1017 this is not a who can be less predictable contest and let me show you how A-typical I am...its a showcase of how people choose to live and how they make use of their space and this homeowner used it in a tasteful way that works for her and her family...I'm actually put off by designs that try to be so avant or unique because all it is is trying to show off....timeless and classic over unpredictable any day....and the dining room looked great by the way...I dont think if there was a sculpture or many little pictures hung up differently I would have been anymore impressed!
13 months ago · Like
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babyb Interesting idea to build the wall, to hide the closet, and it looks great. Wish they would have shown the closet too.
13 months ago · Like
Fresh Eyes For Your Home I totally agree with Elle-functionality is most important in design and decor, and introducing "unpredictable" elements is fine, but not for they entire home-the art and fixtures are terrific and appropriate for the space and easy to live with. Good design is about scale and proportion, and finding creative solutions to difficult living situations.
13 months ago · Like
· 2
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shawnaleeah Thanks for the Canadian content!
13 months ago · Like
Ideabook updated on April 16, 2012.
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