An earthy palette, modern furnishings and a sharp two-tone kitchen dazzle in a century home featured on HGTV Canada’s Gut Job.

When the owners of this century semi snapped up their digs in Toronto’s east end, there was a motherlode of mishaps: the foundation was crumbling, the floors sloped, and the main floor was gloomy because of a choppy layout (and that’s just for starters). The couple yearned for a bright and inviting dwelling to live and entertain in. Enter builder Sebastian Clovis, host of HGTV Canada’s Gut Job, who recruited his friend, designer and Style at Home columnist Samantha Pynn, to help lift the 1,200-square-foot house out of its funk – a major ordeal. “At one point, the house was totally open to the sky,” says Samantha. After Sebastian fixed the big-envelope issues, Samantha focused on the aesthetics. She deployed a nature-inspired palette that includes greens (the colour of the year), camels and blues. At the rear of the house, the pièce de résistance hardworking kitchen beguiles, and a giant bifold door opens onto a new deck. “Now it’s the perfect spot to cook and have cocktails with friends,” says Samantha. Who’s ready to party?

Connected to the living room, the dashing dining spot carries Samantha’s desire for a clean and modern aesthetic. The table is anchored by a scene-stealing black cane pendant. A white oak table seamlessly blends with the new pale herringbone floors (they’re a click system, so are super easy to install). A mix of dining chairs introduces compelling contrast in the space. “The white floating cabinet offered another spot for storage,” says Samantha. “It’s very mod and the same colour as the walls, so it visually disappears.”

Photography: Valerie Wilcox

DINING TABLE, CHAIRS, PENDANT LIGHT, TABLE LAMP (on console), Mobilia. CONSOLE, IKEA. DRAPERY FABRIC, JF Fabrics. SEWING (drapes, throughout), Workroom By Design. ART PRINTS, Juniper Print Shop. FLOORS, Torlys.

“Calming, soothing and airy” describes the overall goal for the house, says designer Samantha Pynn. Modern earth-toned furnishings and fun, colourful pillows fulfill the directive in the living room. “Comfy, contrasting sofas – one is green velvet – and a burled-wood console bring a collected-over-time feel to the space.”

Photography: Valerie Wilcox

 

SOFA, MAGAZINE RACK, Mobilia. GREEN SOFA, IKEA. Faux leather OTTOMAN, Belfiore Collection. PILLOWS, patterned CUBES, Tonic Living. VASES, Teatro Verde. ART, Juniper Print Shop.

As a visual trick to keep the space feeling expansive (and to maximize
storage), slimmer cabinetry was used on the kitchen’s pantry side. Beautiful oatmeal-toned cupboards read like contemporary furniture in the open-plan space. They’re composed entirely out of narrow upper cabinetry: the lowers are 15 inches deep, and the uppers, 13 inches. “The drapery also makes the kitchen feel like a living space and offers privacy,” says Samantha.

Photography: Valerie Wilcox

 

“We went with as many drawers as possible on the island’s lower cabinetry. Now there’s so much space for pots and pans, linens and utensils.”

Open doors reveal the coffee cubby stashed inside the pantry. An inky black porcelain-topped island, meanwhile, is a sophisticated foil to white countertops. “The wrap-up porcelain makes the kitchen feel super luxe,” says Samantha. Its gorgeous veining and do-nothing upkeep make the surfacing material a great alternative to maintenance-heavy marble, she says.

Photography: Valerie Wilcox

Photography: Valerie Wilcox

Photography: Valerie Wilcox

Photography: Valerie Wilcox

COUNTERS, BACKSPLASH, Ciot. COUNTER and BACKSPLASH INSTALLATIOn, Latitude Countertops. CABINETS, Cutler Kitchen and Bath. CABINET INSTALLATION, Busy Little Beavers. FAUCET, Moen. PENDANTS, Regina Andrew. HARDWARE, Pomelli Designs. ESPRESSO MACHINE, KETTLE, TOASTER, Breville. STOOLS, Mobilia. BIFOLD DOOR, Gem Windows.

To enlarge the primary bedroom (below), builder Sebastian Clovis, host of HGTV Canada’s Gut Job, snuck a few square feet from the spare bedroom. “We wanted to create a cozy, enveloping guest room,” says Samantha of the rich brown walls and baseboards. Fresh flowers in a graphic vase have a welcoming appeal.

Photography: Valerie Wilcox

Photography: Valerie Wilcox

RUG, SIDE TABLE, BEDDING, HomeSense. DRAPERY FABRIC, JF Fabrics. LAMP, Mobilia. PAINT, Wright Brown N140-6, Behr.

Sebastian vaulted the ceiling in the primary bedroom. A four-poster bed draws the eye upward. The nightstand, spray-painted a fresh blue, speaks to the nature-based palette. Graphic curtains are a luxe and pretty finishing detail.

Photography: Valerie Wilcox

Photography: Valerie Wilcox

HEADBOARD, Belfiore Collection. CHAIR, HomeSense. BEDDING, Simons. DRAPERY FABRIC, JF Fabrics. LAMP, Regina Andrew. ART, Juniper Print Shop.

An arch built by Sebastian brings character to the bathroom. The Calacatta porcelain surround at the tub, elongated hexagon floor tile and elegant black hardware add richness and contrast. “We chose a green vanity for a wow factor,” says Samantha. The skylight was installed to brighten things up.

“There are touches of black throughout the home. In the
bathroom, this sings back to everything going on downstairs.”

Photography: Valerie Wilcox

Floor and wall TILEs, Ciot. VANITY, Cutler Kitchen and Bath. TUB, Mirolin. ROMAN SHADE, JF Fabrics. SHOWER HEAD, FAUCET, Moen. SKYLIGHT, Velux.

In the office, the lotus-print wallpaper brings pattern but doesn’t overwhelm. Previously, the house had two bedrooms, but Sebastian reworked it into a three-bedroom configuration by getting rid of an ungainly hot tub in the bathroom.

Photography: Valerie Wilcox

Photography: Valerie Wilcox

An interplay of colour, pattern and texture (hello, cane chair!) makes for an uplifting and dynamic home office. Floral cushions punch up the marigold yellow velvet sofa.

Photography: Valerie Wilcox

Photography: Valerie Wilcox

WALLPAPER, Farrow & Ball. WALLPAPER INSTALLATION, The Wallpaper Guys. drapery, JF Fabrics. DESK, CHAIR, IKEA. SOFA, HomeSense. ART, Juniper Print Shop.