(© Bonnie Schiedel. Originally published in Canadian House & Home: Condos, Lofts & Apartments, 2008 special edition).
Yearning for a calm oasis, one empty-nest couple ditched the antiques, tackled a gut reno and embraced a sleek, clutter-free aesthetic
"Starting fresh" is one of the more alluring aspects of renovation. For two Toronto homeowners, starting fresh not only meant a complete style transformation of their 1980s-era condo, from very traditional Victorian to sleek and airy modern, it also meant jettisoning nearly all their possessions, right down to the napkin rings and pillow cases. This bold move was prompted by life changes. The couple had recently retired from demanding careers in finance and academia, and both their children were grown and gone. Their new relaxed lifestyle meant they wanted their home to reflect their growing appreciation for simplicity and space. "It was so wonderful to edit," says the wife. "We found it was very freeing, spiritually, not to be attached to a lot of stuff."
While they did consider moving, they loved their neighbourhood and the building, which they had lived in since 1991. Enter interior designer William MacDonald, a close friend of the couple, who had decorated their country home in a clean minimal style. He sketched a new floor plan on a napkin to show how the existing 1500-square-foot, 4th-floor condo could be dramatically altered: one bedroom instead of two, an open-concept living room/dining room/kitchen rather than separate formal rooms, and a yoga/media room instead of a study. Before the walls came down, MacDonald and the homeowners regularly met with a dream design team of Tim Scott of Natale and Scott Architects and Michael Verity of Boszko and Verity Inc., Construction for nearly a year of meticulous planning and research. "We would have meetings about the knife drawer:’do you want it here, or here?’" laughs MacDonald. A further 10 months of construction and design followed.
The result is a spare, open space accented with rich wood and glowing colour that harmonizes beautifully with the homeowners’ desire for a warm minimalist style. "People say that coming in the front door is like the Wizard of Oz, where you walk from a world of black-and-white into colour," says Macdonald. "Our friends and family ask if we somehow pushed out the exterior walls, because the space looks so much bigger," adds the homeowner.
There are a number of factors that go into achieving a look that’s chic and crisp yet warm and comfortable. Repeating simple materials keeps the style consistent. The countertops in the bathrooms and kitchen are all soapstone, and oroko wood decking is featured in the bedroom, bathroom and hallway. Quarter-sawn white oak was used for flooring in the public areas, while Belgian wool carpet is found in the bedrooms. White walls and cabinetry, frosted glass and sleek stainless steel accents are used throughout the condo, as is the colour scheme of blues punctuated by black and orangey-red hues. "The minimal look has to be perfect; there is nowhere to hide mistakes," says MacDonald. "Custom cabinetry and furniture allowed us to get exactly the size and colour we were after—and meant that all the pieces would fit in the condo elevator too!" In the end, all the planning and precision paid off. "When I come in the door, I just smile," says the homeowner. "Our home feels light, warm, spacious and inviting."
Clean sweep
Whether you’re downsizing dramatically, as these homeowners did, or only need to part with a few items, consider these resources:
Donate it
• To find a list of Canadian charities that accept furniture, electronics and other household items, visit www.charityvillage.com and click on "Volunteer and Donate" then "Donate used stuff." This list includes some national programs that will often pick up items: Clothesline (Canadian Diabetes Association, www.diabetes.ca or 1/800-505-5525); ReStore (Habitat for Humanity, habitat.ca) and the Electronic Recycling Association ( www.era.ca or 1/877-9EWASTE).
Give it away
• If parking it by the curb doesn’t work, join www.freecycle.org, an online, grassroots organization where you can connect with people in your area who are interested in your unwanted items. Membership is free.
Sell it yourself
• In addition to the tried-and-true garage sale, online auction and newspaper classifieds options, consider free online classifieds like www.craigslist.org or www.kiijji.ca (beware of posting personal information).
Have someone else to sell it for you
• On eBay, consignment sellers known as trading assistants will handle the online posting and sale of your items in exchange for a set fee and perhaps part of the selling price. To find one in your area, visit eBay.ca and click on "sell," then "how to sell," then "advanced selling" and finally "trading assistant."
• Look in your Yellow Pages under "Auctions" to locate an auction house. To get useful tips about the auction process, visit the Auctioneers Association of Canada at. www.auctioneers.com.
• Not sure what it’s worth? Contact the Canadian Personal Property Appraisers Group (1/800-891-0616 or www.cppag.com) find a local accredited appraiser.
