House of the Week: $3.5 million for a Summerhill century home built for a life of leisure

Neighborhood: Summerhill Price: $3,499,000 Last sold for: $1,926,000 in 2020 Last renovated in: 2021 Size: 3,300 square feet Bedrooms: 4+1 Bathrooms: 4 Real estate agent: Valerie Baldwin, Bosley Real Estate

The place

A recently renovated five-bedroom, four-bathroom, three-storey semi, built in 1905, with a stunning backyard in the heart of Summerhill. Steps from the neighbourhood’s trendy shops and restaurants, it’s also a short walk from half a dozen parks as well as Summerhill and Rosedale subway stations plus a handful of bus routes.

The history

The current owners (a family of four) purchased this property in 2020 and immediately began a renovation in partnership with swanky design studio Mazen. That meant Nordic and Japanese inspiration, custom lighting, handrail-less stairwells and millwork to die for. Now, the family is putting the place back on the market

Related: $4.8 million for a Parisian townhouse by Bellwoods with too many chandeliers to count

The tour

The south-facing heritage façade has been impeccably restored, with a few modern improvements: beams, fresh hardwood and lighting for a bit of drama.

The foyer and living area tick all the boxes: lots of natural light, imported Italian porcelain tile, a gas fireplace, a big closet and a powder room.

Here’s that powder room, with a bespoke marble sink, brass fixtures and funky wallpaper from Sweden.

Returning to the living room and its engineered oak floors.

Another angle of the space shows the 1960s-inspired sconces, which temper the otherwise contemporary vibe.

Beyond the living room is the kitchen and dining area. These scream Japandi chic, bolstered by warm Canadian wood. Designer Zac Ridgely incorporated sleek light fixtures, custom millwork and marble counters with brown veining. 

The backsplash, meanwhile, is Japanese Yohen Border tile and sits behind a Thermador gas oven and cooktop.

This reeded-glass cabinet is an elegant melange of open shelving and traditional storage. 

And right outside the kitchen is a cedar deck with a built-in bench, an illuminated patio, a manicured backyard and horizontal fencing.

Unlike in the front, the owners went with a more modernist treatment out back.

Back inside, here’s a look at one of the lounges, in view of the sculptural staircase.

The staircase is an understated nod to Drew Mandel’s wispy handrail-less counterpart in Bracondale.

Moving to the second floor reveals the reading room (equipped with another gas fireplace) and the office, both of which were bedrooms pre-renovation.

One of the secondary bedrooms walks out to a large deck.

And here’s that deck—any child’s dream treehouse.

This bedroom down the hall comes with floor-to-ceiling custom cabinetry.

There are leather drawer pulls, aquatic tiles and brass accents in the shared washroom.

The whole third floor is dedicated to the main suite. The new vaulted ceilings and skylight give it a zen vibe. 

A peek into the ensuite bathroom from the bed.

The ensuite has Moroccan Zellige tiles, vein-cut travertine flooring and benches, antique lights, and more bronze.

Don’t forget the suite’s walk-in closet.

Down in the basement: a collector-worthy glass-and-mahogany wine fridge with space for 400 bottles, a laundry room right behind it, a bar, a bathroom, a living room and one more bedroom.

The living area, for movie nights.

And, finally, the laundry room.

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