Houzz Tours
Houzz Tour: A New Start With Rock ānā Roll and Tattoo Art
A sleek renovation personalizes a contemporary Toronto townhouse
A Bold Declaration of Place
The townhouseās main living space (living room, dining room, kitchen and powder room) is on this third level, which is marked by the bold ā3ā on the elevator door. While the ground level (level two) has a designated space for coats and boots, the homeowner planned to often take the elevator from the underground parking garage (level one) directly up to this floor. So Meisels designed the walnut armoire, to the right of the elevator, to store outerwear.
She also designed the custom stereo console seen on the left side of the photo to house a turntable and album collection. āMy client loves music,ā she says. The piece backs up to a glass staircase, so the appearance of the back was just as important as the appearance of the front. āI had the whole piece wrapped in hot-rolled steel so that the view of the back of it from the stairs would show off the beautiful patina of the hot-rolled steel,ā she says. The steel wrapping conceals the wires and guts of the stereo equipment. The slots on the inside are walnut wood that plays off the coat armoire.
The townhouseās main living space (living room, dining room, kitchen and powder room) is on this third level, which is marked by the bold ā3ā on the elevator door. While the ground level (level two) has a designated space for coats and boots, the homeowner planned to often take the elevator from the underground parking garage (level one) directly up to this floor. So Meisels designed the walnut armoire, to the right of the elevator, to store outerwear.
She also designed the custom stereo console seen on the left side of the photo to house a turntable and album collection. āMy client loves music,ā she says. The piece backs up to a glass staircase, so the appearance of the back was just as important as the appearance of the front. āI had the whole piece wrapped in hot-rolled steel so that the view of the back of it from the stairs would show off the beautiful patina of the hot-rolled steel,ā she says. The steel wrapping conceals the wires and guts of the stereo equipment. The slots on the inside are walnut wood that plays off the coat armoire.
The Fireplace Becomes a Focal Point
One large cosmetic change in here was transforming the small fireplace into a large focal point. Meisels ripped out the small fireplace to accommodate a larger fireplace insert and a substantial marble surround.
āBefore, the space had haphazard bookshelves on either side of the fireplace. And the fireplaceās scale was too small for the room,ā she says. She created streamlined built-ins ā blackened walnut cabinets above the marble surround that hold the homeās media and A/V equipment. The open slot on the left side has hot-rolled steel shelves that play off the stereo console across the room.
The homeowner has friends over a lot, so Meisels included a lot of comfortable seating in the room. Two large sofas and an Eames lounger form the edges of a seating area, with a right-size marble-topped coffee table in the center. āWe knew we needed to scale the coffee table to serve all the seats with room for drinks,ā she says. āAnd we knew we wanted something that wasnāt too fussy.ā An overdyed antique rug anchors the room in softness and subtle pattern.
One large cosmetic change in here was transforming the small fireplace into a large focal point. Meisels ripped out the small fireplace to accommodate a larger fireplace insert and a substantial marble surround.
āBefore, the space had haphazard bookshelves on either side of the fireplace. And the fireplaceās scale was too small for the room,ā she says. She created streamlined built-ins ā blackened walnut cabinets above the marble surround that hold the homeās media and A/V equipment. The open slot on the left side has hot-rolled steel shelves that play off the stereo console across the room.
The homeowner has friends over a lot, so Meisels included a lot of comfortable seating in the room. Two large sofas and an Eames lounger form the edges of a seating area, with a right-size marble-topped coffee table in the center. āWe knew we needed to scale the coffee table to serve all the seats with room for drinks,ā she says. āAnd we knew we wanted something that wasnāt too fussy.ā An overdyed antique rug anchors the room in softness and subtle pattern.
Getting Organized in the Kitchen
The kitchen had a nice layout and did not need too many changes. The walnut vent hood and lower cabinets were existing, which worked out well with the other walnut pieces Meisels added to the living room. Local Toronto company Coolican & Co. made the walnut counter stools.
She made some key adjustments to the kitchen, like replacing some clunky head-banger cabinets over the sink with smaller ones that are set back out of harmās way. She also outfitted the cabinets with organizers, replaced the pendant lights and turned an eat-in area into a workspace that was more functional for the homeownerās lifestyle.
Browse backless wooden counter stools
The kitchen had a nice layout and did not need too many changes. The walnut vent hood and lower cabinets were existing, which worked out well with the other walnut pieces Meisels added to the living room. Local Toronto company Coolican & Co. made the walnut counter stools.
She made some key adjustments to the kitchen, like replacing some clunky head-banger cabinets over the sink with smaller ones that are set back out of harmās way. She also outfitted the cabinets with organizers, replaced the pendant lights and turned an eat-in area into a workspace that was more functional for the homeownerās lifestyle.
Browse backless wooden counter stools
Concert Posters and Drink Stations
This collection of concert posters is the one thing the homeowner never plans to sell with a house. They bring some rock ānā roll style to this beverage station area of the kitchen.
This collection of concert posters is the one thing the homeowner never plans to sell with a house. They bring some rock ānā roll style to this beverage station area of the kitchen.
The dining room is open to the kitchen and living room. Meisels thought it was a good idea to buy the existing dining table from the townhouseās previous homeowners. āIt had been custom-designed to fit this space,ā she says. She surrounded it with classic midcentury modern upholstered armchairs. And her client brought the stainless steel globe outfitted with tiny lights to hang over it from the previous home. The bar cart adds some warmth to the cool stainless steel and chrome finishes. āThe cart has a modern look while the brass adds some age,ā the designer says.
Check out bar carts
Check out bar carts
Tattoo Designs on the Bedroom Wall
This tattoo-inspired wall treatment was a must-have for her client. Local Toronto company RADform custom-sized the mural to fit the wall. Meisels says the wallpaper is one of her clientās favorite things in the new home. āIt is so striking in person and really makes the space, which is not so large, pop,ā she says. The solid walnut bed and nightstands are also custom. āWe cut openings on either side of the bed to lead to the new master walk-in closet, so we needed to go custom in order for everything to fit,ā she says.
This tattoo-inspired wall treatment was a must-have for her client. Local Toronto company RADform custom-sized the mural to fit the wall. Meisels says the wallpaper is one of her clientās favorite things in the new home. āIt is so striking in person and really makes the space, which is not so large, pop,ā she says. The solid walnut bed and nightstands are also custom. āWe cut openings on either side of the bed to lead to the new master walk-in closet, so we needed to go custom in order for everything to fit,ā she says.
Room for a Walk-In Closet
Transforming one of the homeās four bedrooms into a master closet was well worth the sacrifice of a bedroom to the homeowner. Meisels took down a wall between the converted bedroom and the master bedroom and bathroom to create the closet.
Matching new hardwood to old hardwood floors is tricky, and since Meisels did not need to refinish the lovely existing floors in this home, that made it extra tricky. Instead she continued the new flooring from the adjacent master bathroom into the closet. āThis integrated both spaces and helped us avoid having to match the existing hardwood floors,ā she says. A Moroccan rug adds soft texture to the floor.
Meisels designed walnut built-ins for wardrobe and other storage needs. The large mirror allows for an ensemble review after dressing and before leaving the closet. The long, thin light overhead plays off the lines of the window.
Transforming one of the homeās four bedrooms into a master closet was well worth the sacrifice of a bedroom to the homeowner. Meisels took down a wall between the converted bedroom and the master bedroom and bathroom to create the closet.
Matching new hardwood to old hardwood floors is tricky, and since Meisels did not need to refinish the lovely existing floors in this home, that made it extra tricky. Instead she continued the new flooring from the adjacent master bathroom into the closet. āThis integrated both spaces and helped us avoid having to match the existing hardwood floors,ā she says. A Moroccan rug adds soft texture to the floor.
Meisels designed walnut built-ins for wardrobe and other storage needs. The large mirror allows for an ensemble review after dressing and before leaving the closet. The long, thin light overhead plays off the lines of the window.
Her client likes a bench or other surface to throw a bag on for packing and can do that on this bench and on the top surface of the drawers seen in the previous photo. The bench was a store-bought item that Meisels customized with a luxe burgundy velvet cushion. āI was worried the cushion would slip, so I came up with the idea of finding worn mensā belts to secure it in place as a unique touch,ā she says.
Browse contemporary and modern benches
Browse contemporary and modern benches
A Privacy Wall in Marble
Meisels did not have to change the master bathroom layout much, but she did replace the shower glass on two sides with slabs of marble polished on both sides. The client wanted more privacy between the toilet (to the left of the shower stall) and the shower and tub. āInstalling this marble with no structural wall behind it was quite a feat of engineering.ā She also replaced the existing white plumbing stack (the dark piece with the wall-mounted tub faucets) with a contrasting African Gold marble to make it stand out. On the other side, the shower faucets are mounted on this piece.
Meisels did not have to change the master bathroom layout much, but she did replace the shower glass on two sides with slabs of marble polished on both sides. The client wanted more privacy between the toilet (to the left of the shower stall) and the shower and tub. āInstalling this marble with no structural wall behind it was quite a feat of engineering.ā She also replaced the existing white plumbing stack (the dark piece with the wall-mounted tub faucets) with a contrasting African Gold marble to make it stand out. On the other side, the shower faucets are mounted on this piece.
Her client also wanted a more luxe look in the bathroom. āIt was a nice bathroom but the tile and stone finishes looked cheap,ā she says. The tile behind the vanity, the marble and the lighting are new. She was able to keep the original faucet and vanity.
Minimalist Design in the Guest Room
With frequent overnight guests, the homeowner wanted the guest room to be inviting. Calm grays and a blurred landscape mural wallcovering create a calm, ethereal feeling in the bedroom. The angular reading lights contrast the blurry tree silhouettes with striking geometry.
With frequent overnight guests, the homeowner wanted the guest room to be inviting. Calm grays and a blurred landscape mural wallcovering create a calm, ethereal feeling in the bedroom. The angular reading lights contrast the blurry tree silhouettes with striking geometry.
āI knew the wallpaper would elevate the space and make the ready-to-go furniture seem more luxe,ā Meisels says.
Wallpaper: Trove; wall paint: Black Beauty, Benjamin Moore
Wallpaper: Trove; wall paint: Black Beauty, Benjamin Moore
Giving guests a place to sit other than the bed is always a welcome touch. White sheers provide light contrast to the dark walls.
Takeaways
Takeaways
- Just a few favorite things can help you bring your personality to a new home. Here it was art and music.
- If you are lacking a proper coat closet where you need one, consider an armoire outfitted for outerwear.
- Repeating the same materials like a species of wood or metallic finish can help you create cohesion in a room and within a large open floor plan.
- A wallpaper accent wall is a good way to make a big statement and bring in your personality.
- That bench cushion-securing belt trick is clever ā file it away.
- You can give your bathroom a major makeover by replacing only the tile and stone; if your sinks, vanity, faucets, shower stall, bathtub and loo are in good shape you can get an all-new look but save a lot of money.
House at a Glance
Location: Toronto
Size: 3,000 square feet (279 square meters); four bedrooms, four bathrooms
Designer: Shirley Meisels
The owner of this Toronto townhouse moved in with just the motorcycle photograph seen here, a collection of concert posters and a favorite light fixture. The homeownerās previous residence had sold shortly after interior designer Shirley Meisels redecorated it, and the buyer had stipulated that furnishings be included in the sale. So when the homeowner hired Meisels to decorate and do a light remodel on this home, she was starting with a mostly blank slate.
The townhouse was clean and modern but the client wanted Meisels to make it more personal and sophisticated, convert one of the bedrooms into a walk-in closet and upgrade the bathrooms.