A Toronto Rooftop Gets a Luxurious Makeover
Privacy screens, lighting, an outdoor kitchen and safety measures for pets make this spacious rooftop patio comfy for all
The owners of this Toronto townhouse have neighbors on both sides, but they still wanted to take full advantage of their spacious rooftop patio. Privacy was an issue, as was the narrow space, and they wanted to make the outdoor lounge low maintenance and pet friendly. Using a fresh but cohesive material palette, designer Lisa Aiken of Terra Firma Design checked off each item on the couple's dream patio wish list.
Project at a Glance
Location: The Beaches neighborhood of Toronto
Size: 1,000 square feet
Cost: About $50,000 for materials, outdoor kitchen and appliances, contractors and labor, furnishings, flooring, lighting and accessories
Project at a Glance
Location: The Beaches neighborhood of Toronto
Size: 1,000 square feet
Cost: About $50,000 for materials, outdoor kitchen and appliances, contractors and labor, furnishings, flooring, lighting and accessories
The seating area takes up the largest, sunniest spot on the terrace. Aiken used light gray Sunbrella cushions for the resin furniture, Sunbrella Kravet fabric for the pillows and an indoor-outdoor rug for warmth. "The cats and dogs have full run of the terrace," says Aiken. "You can just hose it down when it gets dirty."
The furniture, planters and cushions cost around $5,000.
Planters: Barracuda
The furniture, planters and cushions cost around $5,000.
Planters: Barracuda
Covering an existing slanted roof in ipe wood added a modern touch. To keep the slanted area from feeling awkward on its own, Aiken installed a separate ipe-clad sink and storage area to accompany an outdoor grill across the terrace. The ipe wood is easy to maintain (it just needs occasional oiling), is long lasting and has a rich, warm look.
Sink: Ginger's
Sink: Ginger's
Aiken had the color of the existing cedar on the pergola and patio flooring matched to the ipe and hand painted to look like a single type of wood was used.
Initially the clients wanted only a grill, but Aiken knew they'd need storage, prep and clean-up space too. "The rooftop is four floors up," she says. "If you forget something, it's a long way up and down again. So everything had to be kept there as much as possible." The stainless steel counter, which cost around $2,000, tops storage for dishes and a mini fridge.
The kitchen takes up the narrowest spot on the terrace. Aiken broke up the space, placing the grill on one wall and the sink on the other, to balance the layout.
Grill: Broil King; refrigerator: Rona; white paint: Cloud White, Benjamin Moore
The kitchen takes up the narrowest spot on the terrace. Aiken broke up the space, placing the grill on one wall and the sink on the other, to balance the layout.
Grill: Broil King; refrigerator: Rona; white paint: Cloud White, Benjamin Moore
A small bistro table seats four at the other end of the terrace. The teak table, stools and lounge chairs are all relatively lightweight and easy to move from sunny to shady spots.
Lounge chairs, dining table, stools: Hauser
Lounge chairs, dining table, stools: Hauser
Existing fencing was redone and repainted to blend with the new palette. New low-voltage LED lighting was installed for evening entertaining. Aiken also added a slatted wall at the end for privacy.
Sofa, club chair, ottoman, cube tables: Hauser; rug: Terra Firma Home and Terrace; pillows: custom, Sunbrella Kravet fabric