Taylor Russell has seen a lot of interiors. After living in hotels for six years — her job in a communications agency had her moving every four weeks to places like Kuwait, Pakistan, Spain and Barbados — she underwent hundreds of distinct living spaces. Over enough to realize what fashion was right for her.
“I was most drawn to bright, airy spaces that were open and inviting, with pretty and intriguing pieces — places where you could curl up comfortably on the couch one night and host a cocktail party the next,” Russell says.
Burned out from her busy schedule, Russell quit her job from a pay phone in Heathrow airport back in 2007 while transitioning from a project in Kuwait to Jamaica. She bought a one-way ticket for her hometown of Toronto and chose about the flight to get a home. Four days after she bought a preconstruction condominium unit in the King West neighborhood.
in a Glance
Who lives here: Taylor Russell, entrepreneur, and her mini Australian shepherd, Hayete
Location: King West neighborhood of Toronto
Size: 1,250 square feet; two bedrooms, 2 baths
Andrew Snow Photography
Russell’s globe-trotting crash course in interior layout was not the one thing on her side. Her parents greatly influenced her new home decoration, too.
Their sculptures and paintings are featured throughout the area, and when Russell’s mother retired as a interior designer and owner of B.B. Bargoon’s, a well-known Toronto design store, Russell (shown here) inherited a number of her mother’s beautiful pieces that Russell had grown up . “Our homes were always beautifully decorated while being inviting and comfortable,” Russell says. “My parents never wanted to live in a museum but wanted to make spaces for us to like a family and while entertaining friends. The house was always full of wonderful pieces from around the world, each with its own story.”
Russell and Hayete relax on the living room couch, which came out of her mother’s store. A refuge for downtown dog owners, the neighborhood has six nearby parks and quick access to the waterfront, which the duo takes full advantage of.
Sofa: classic, B.B. Bargoon’s
Andrew Snow Photography
Needing her home to feel hot in the winter and cool in the summer, she landed a palette of mainly whites and camel browns with a bit of blue in the bedroom and green from the many plants to give the room a refreshing feel.
Russell’s sister discovered the massive coffee table with a chrome base on the road and wrapped it home. Russell’s mother painted the flower painting.
Chairs: classic, Lazy Farmer Antiques; coffee table: vintage, located on the road; painting: Bonnie Bickel
Andrew Snow Photography
This rock mantel came from Russell’s childhood home.
Andrew Snow Photography
Sofa, chair, lamp: B.B. Bargoon’s
Andrew Snow Photography
A cupboard near the stairs includes a collection of artifacts and other objects. Feminine elements, such as the gilded mirror, are contrasted with rustic, industrial pieces, such as the rusted letters.
Andrew Snow Photography
Tucked underneath the stairs, Russell’s office area — she co-owns Tkaro, that creates a portable drinking glasswith her sister — joins ornate, crafted elements using midcentury classics. The planter stand originally stood in her childhood home, and the painting on the wall is with her mother.
Office chair: Eames Aluminum Management Chair, Herman Miller; painting: Bonnie Bickel
Andrew Snow Photography
The completely modern kitchen combines high-gloss white kitchen cabinetry with granite counter tops.
Andrew Snow Photography
Chandelier: classic, from Mexico; portable drinking glass: Tkaro
Andrew Snow Photography
Dining chairs: A Chair, Tolix
Andrew Snow Photography
The entry gallery includes images taken by Russell while living overseas.
Andrew Snow Photography
Classic vases hold blossoms purchased around the corner. Russell was attracted to the King West neighborhood because of its proximity to both downtown and the significant highways out of the city — perfect for weekend getaways. Lots of Toronto’s finest restaurants and bars are within walking distance, as are multiple parks and the waterfront.
Andrew Snow Photography
Keeping an office downstairs has enabled Russell to turn the den into a guest bedroom. A classic American flag atop a mirrored cupboard makes for a stunning focal point there.
Andrew Snow Photography
The lofted bedroom overlooks the living room below, taking advantage of the soaring 24-foot ceilings. The chandelier, repurposed here as a nightlight, was sourced on a trip to a tiny Mexican city.
Andrew Snow Photography
Seat: A Seat, Tolix
Andrew Snow Photography
The serene master en suite comes with a large window that looks into the bedroom.
Andrew Snow Photography
Sink: Duravit
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