House Tours

House tour: Narrow Victorian family home

House tour: Narrow Victorian family home

Images: Virginia Macdonald

House Tours

House tour: Narrow Victorian family home

Personalized with heirlooms and vintage pieces, it houses old memories and new traditions, which will no doubt become chapters in the family's ongoing story.

 

For Erin and Daniel Shearer, it’s imperative that each piece in their home have a history or personal meaning. So it only makes sense that Christmas is an especially important time of year, even more so now that it’s shared with their two little boys, William, 2, and Quinn, 5 months.

The narrow 1,500-square-foot Victorian home in Toronto’s east end allows no space for superfluous stuff, which is why the couple is adamant about filling their home with furnishings that tell a story. The pair of wood-framed sofas in the living room, for example, belonged to Daniel’s parents, and one still has a wobbly finial that Daniel’s head long ago knocked loose. And a pine dresser in the nursery belonged to Erin as a child and was once lovingly refinished by her dad.
 

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House tour: Narrow Victorian family home

Entryway decor

In the entryway, a miniature ladder - the first piece Erin and Daniel bought together - holds pride of place on the console. Natural seasonal decor such as a fir wreath and paperwhites, lends the home a festive, but not overly festooned mood.

Image by: Style at Home By: Jennifer Hughes Source: Virginia Macdonald

House tour: Narrow Victorian family home

Small living room

Homeowners Daniel and Erin Shearer and son William sit on a sofa from Daniel's childhood home. It was spray painted and reupholstered fr their small living room.

Image by: Style at Home By: Jennifer Hughes Source: Virginia Macdonald

House tour: Narrow Victorian family home

Scandinavian style holiday decor

Their spare, almost Scandinavian decor style carries into the holiday season as well, when the house is adorned with natural greenery, seasonal flowers, simply wrapped giifts and no-frill Christmas ornaments.

Image by: Style at Home By: Jennifer Hughes Source: Virginia Macdonald

House tour: Narrow Victorian family home

Serene and sparse dining room

The serene and spare decor carries into the dining room, with its farmhouse-style table, basic black chairs and wooden bench. The graphic artwork pops against the pale grey walls and simple furniture.

Image by: Style at Home By: Jennifer Hughes Source: Virginia Macdonald

House tour: Narrow Victorian family home

Simple tabletop decor

The dining table is kept simple with fresh sprigs of greenery effortlessly displayed in various clear glassware, while a few antique lanterns lend a rustic touch.

Image by: Style at Home By: Jennifer Hughes Source: Virginia Macdonald

House tour: Narrow Victorian family home

Kitchen upgrades

When the couple bought the house, the kitchen had already been renovated, but as a designer Erin wanted it to reflect her taste a bit more. Granite countertops were replaced with butcher block, and a large apron-front sink was added.

Image by: Style at Home By: Jennifer Hughes Source: Virginia Macdonald

House tour: Narrow Victorian family home

Extra kitchen storage

In the back room off the kitchen, an industrial-style metal shelving unit functions as extra storage for cookbooks, bar supplies, wine and liquor.

Image by: Style at Home By: Jennifer Hughes Source: Virginia Macdonald

House tour: Narrow Victorian family home

Small eating nook

The small eating nook off the kitchen is reserved for late dinners a deux after the little ones are in bed. The wooden pedestal table belonged to Erin's parents.

Image by: Style at Home By: Jennifer Hughes Source: Virginia Macdonald

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House Tours

House tour: Narrow Victorian family home