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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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