No sooner had inside designer Shirley Meisels finished a complete renovation for a family of four if the parents found that they were expecting twins. After the babies were born, the family of six immediately outgrew their property. They’d had their fill of the inconveniences of the extensive renovating procedure and did not wish to replicate it for a little while, so that they found a house with great bones which needed just a fast facelift.
“The notion was that we would tackle more extensive work like remodeling the kitchen and bathrooms in a few years,” Meisels says. “All in all the new house had a wonderful feel, but the finishes needed some updating.” In eight weeks (the painting process took time), fresh paint, restained flooring, new hardware and light fixtures as well as fresh decor gave the house a cohesive, comfy texture, and it had been move-in ready for your family.
in a Glance
Who lives here: A family with 4 kids (age 9, age 7 and 3-year-old twins)
Location: Midtown Toronto
Size: 6 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms
Shirley Meisels
First up was unifying the distances, which had been opened up from the 1990s but lacked cohesiveness. The floors were cherry-colored walnut except at the kitchen, in which they were light walnut. Meisels restained all the flooring a uniform brownish-gray tone. She also had the house painted white and changed the metal door hardware to crisp black.
Pops of purple turn up around the first floor. From the foyer it is introduced via an overdyed classic carpet by Elte. Meisels also commissioned the painting and also the custom seat.
Chandelier: Crown Minor, Jehs and Laub
Shirley Meisels
“I like eclectic mixes the best,” Meisels says. “This to me feels that the most natural, like things were accumulated over time rather than installed by a designer out of a showroom in two months.”
She commissioned a habit chandelier to function as a striking focal point along with also an art piece. She utilized a dining room table and chairs that the customers already possessed. “I dipped the chairs in black paint to give them a contemporary edge and accessorized with bold hits of colour for unexpected hits of brightness,” she says. An oversize mirror bounces light around.
Before Photo
BEFORE: The prior kitchen was too traditional for its homeowners’ tastes, but the open layout, black granite counters and open shelving were versatile and contemporary enough to keep to your new look. “The open shelving is a great way to utilize a wall for storage that might otherwise be dedicated just to the windows — enormous runs of shelving hold vases, dishes and more,” the designer says.
Shirley Meisels
AFTER: Meisels had the windows painted in Benjamin Moore’s Wrought Iron and included a stunning light fixture and backsplash. Glass objects on the shelves facing the windows allow sunlight to filter through.
“Changing a backsplash is generally pretty straightforward and included without having to devote a good deal of time and money, and new grips on doors and cabinets make a difference,” she says. “Upgraded appliances at a tired kitchen really are worth the splurge!”
Shirley Meisels
Customized walnut cabinets provide a workstation as well as storage. “I needed it to feel as a standalone piece that was compatible with the rest of the house … almost like furniture,” she says. The piece will work with the present kitchen when the owners decide to leave it as is, and also with a more contemporary style should they renovate later.
Kitchen table:Paola Navone
Shirley Meisels
The house has two other family room and den spaces, so Meisels went formal with the living room, which is just off the foyer. She painted the pine fireplace surround black to get a contemporary edge.
The Juju hat was something she’d selected for her customers’ former residence, and it made the move with ease, adding another dash of purple. “I love using Juju hats, as they include a touch of texture and colour, as well as also the sculptural effect is a wonderful relief from each the art and white walls,” she says.
Sofa: Raleigh, Design Within Reach; cocktail table: Spindle, West Elm
Shirley Meisels
A Park lounge chair and ottoman add another dash of purple. Meisels began the classic glass set for those homeowners during the prior project; the existing glass display shelves in the living room seem to have been made for this.
Artwork: Canvas
Shirley Meisels
“I desired the master bedroom to feel striking and sexy,” Meisels says. “This wallpapered accent wall is a great background for an easy, low contemporary bed.”
Background: Elitis; pillow fabric: Missoni; bed: Bensen
Shirley Meisels
Iconic midcentury modern pieces — a Jens Risom desk and Saarinen Executive Chair — make an unobtrusive writing area from the master bedroom.
Lamp: Ventana Tripod Desk Lamp, Jonathan Adler
Shirley Meisels
The homeowner’s young kid is a big Star Wars fan who has earned millions of hockey trophies. “We are Canadian, after all,” Meisels says.
She had commissioned the custom dresser to your master bedroom at the customers’ former residence, but it is better suited for your boy’s room currently.
Background: Woods, Cole & Son
Shirley Meisels
This is actually the third-floor bedroom of one of those brothers. “I love a black wall in a bright room. I think that it makes the colors and whites feel fuller and crisper compared,” Meisels says.
Accent wall paint: Black, Benjamin Moore
Shirley Meisels
This is actually the eldest daughter’s room. “She would have had the whole room dressed in pink when she’d had her druthers. She was demanding, but I convinced my little client to let me add modest hits of other colours and white,” Meisels says.
She had the headboard habit made. The light fixture is a classic find, and also the eye-popping floral wallpaper is Tokyo Dahlia from Designer’s Guild.
“This particular couple is edgy and contemporary and was ready to take risks,” Meisels says. “I really like how spare this house is while still feeling hot; each piece was carefully selected to be functional and beautiful.” The family is so delighted with their fast fixes that they are happy to wait patiently before handling the bathrooms and the kitchen.