House Tours
Warmth And Global Influence Define This Contemporary Toronto Home
Photography by Patrick Biller
House Tours
Warmth And Global Influence Define This Contemporary Toronto Home
Modern furnishings and clean lines brought this character-laden abode into the present.
The story of this dramatic renovation began overseas. After living abroad for over 20 years, the homeowners needed a fresh place to settle upon their return to Toronto.
Despite not being in the city—or even the same continent—the couple enlisted designer Megan Crosbie to help find their dream home. They quickly fell in love with a five-bedroom, five-bathroom house in Toronto’s historic Rosedale neighbourhood, and bought it after a tour over FaceTime.
“The clients loved the home’s bones and the neighbourhood, but their style leaned far more contemporary,” says the designer and founder of Megan Crosbie Design.
Stints of living in Paris, New York, London, and Singapore granted the homeowners a global design perspective. Crosbie blended this clear directive—which informed everything from the layered mix of materials to the scale—with the home’s existing character.
Even better? There was no need to sacrifice style for practicality. “With two children in high school and university, they could embrace an ‘adult’ aesthetic while still making it functional for family life,” says Crosbie.
Photography by Patrick Biller
The grand entrance with sightlines to the back garden was one of the primary draws of the Rosedale home. Crosbie kept the traditional centre-hall layout and some original millwork—such as door casings and panelled doors—then balanced that out with new furnishings.
The result is an airy layout that’s dramatic yet still inviting, largely thanks to the light streaming in.
“The original paned windows, though not typical for contemporary design, were kept for their charm, as was the striking double-height stairwell window,” says Crosbie.
The designer uncovered previously concealed windows and installed a striking curved glass surround on the staircase. The seamless glass was tailor-made for the space, though it wasn’t an easy feat.
“It took three rounds of templating to perfect, but the end result beautifully reveals one of the home’s most distinctive architectural features,” says Crosbie.
Photography by Patrick Biller
“Minimal and streamlined” may be the name of the game in the kitchen, but warm wood tones and delicate furnishings maintain an inviting softness.
This space is also a prime example of the introduction of contemporary style into the home. “On the main floor, we simplified by removing ornate wall panelling, crown moulding, and coffered ceilings, retaining only the original baseboards and casings,” says Crosbie.
The sleek design is hardware-free and seamless, highlighting the materials’ crisp edges and cool light fixtures.
Photography by Patrick Biller
The dining room is a celebration of the home’s fresh colour palette.
“We built the palette around creamy taupes, warm woods, and earthy greens, layering in nature-inspired prints and organic shapes, such as Bocci light fixtures and Imogen Heath textiles,” says Crosbie.
The blown glass-inspired light and vibrant print infuse a splash of colour into the space, bringing along the homeowners love for global modernity.
“To keep it grounded, we used deeper tones in accent elements and warm metal finishes, avoiding harsher black or chrome,” says Crosbie.
Photography by Patrick Biller
The living room is a continuation of the home’s warm contemporary notes (with no boring grey in sight). “Soft curves in furniture and lighting help temper the cleaner architectural lines,” says Crosbie.
Another understated design element throughout the soothing main floor is the delicate window treatments.
“We used the same fabric in a couple different colourways for all the main floor drapery since you can see the rooms from each other,” says Crosbie. “This really added a feeling of cohesion and light to the space.”
Photography by Patrick Biller
The primary bedroom and ensuite were privy to some of the most dramatic updates. Crosbie completely reimagined the layout, moving walls and pairing the walk-in closet and bathroom back to the studs.
Photography by Patrick Biller
An improved layout and soft palette of natural materials completely transformed the ensuite. Bright light from the paned windows and skylight keep the space breezy, while a beautiful tiled wall is effortlessly sleek.
“It now feels equally luxurious and practical,” says Crosbie.
Choosing The Right Lighting
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