House Tours
This Georgian Revival home in Toronto is an ode to timelessness
Photography, Niamh Barry. Styling, Stacey Smithers Creative.
House Tours
This Georgian Revival home in Toronto is an ode to timelessness
A home with classic details takes on timeless style thanks to quiet colours and confident design.
After house hunting for years, Mariesette Santiago-Zeyl and Trevor Zeyl pounced when they saw this Georgian Revival in Toronto’s leafy Bloor West Village. It had original details, a great location, and was “beautiful...but a bit scary!” says their friend and designer Keeley McCleary, recalling the basement’s concrete floors, exposed wiring and hanging lightbulbs. Luckily, the main living areas were far less scary, but they still needed a major style injection. “Our vision was to upgrade and modernize but keep the charm,” says Mariesette. “To blend the old with the new.”
DESIGN, Keeley McCleary Interiors. WALL PAINT, White Dove OC-17, Benjamin Moore. VASE (on plinth), CB2. SOFA, Stylegarage. Linelle Lemoine ART, Canvas Gallery. CHAIRS, CUSHIONS, Elte.
“They wanted a contemporary version of their heritage home,” says Keeley. Clean, edited spaces with a timeless cool vibe became her mantra. “We painted everything out for a creamy neutral backdrop, and then built in elements of style,” she says. Keeley layered in natural fibres for texture and warmth, and relied heavily on look-at-me lighting fixtures. The primary bedroom got extra love and a new must-have ensuite, and the basement now boasts a fab family room that will serve the couple and their two young children for years. “We wanted to finally put down roots,” says Mariesette, who is thrilled with the results. “The finished home is the best balance between eclectic and refined, and really easy to live in.”
“We all loved the distinguished fireplace, but the room was begging for some drama.” – Keeley McCleary
All grown up
CHANDELIER, Crate and Barrel. SCONCES, RH. DRAPERY FABRIC, Villa Nova. Vintage RUG, Mellah. Vintage COFFEE TABLE, Bettencourt Manor.
“My clients needed a living room where they could sit by the fire, sipping a cognac with friends, listening to jazz...you know, the way you imagined adult life would be!” says designer Keeley McCleary, who elevated the home’s look with a neutral palette of moodier tones like camel, sepia and warm greys.
Tonal and timeless
The fireplace’s stately carved-stone surround and dark-wood mantel were in perfect condition, but the room was rather blah otherwise, says Keeley. She opted to beef up the mouldings, framing out each portion of wall and above the windows to create the illusion of height. “It makes such an impact,” she says. The tonal effect is soothing and sophisticated.
“Keeping the existing tile floor was one of the more daring decisions we made and it really paid off.” – Keeley McCleary
A great landing
LIGHT SCONCES, Crate and Barrel.
Keeley treated the landing between the first and second floors like a room, decorating it with a bench and runner. “It’s visible from the foyer, so we included statement sconces,” she says. Keeley tries to incorporate a vintage piece (here, the bench) into every room. “Their imperfections, patina, a lifelived quality – they breathe life into a space,” says the designer.
Called to the bench
TABLE, BENCH, Stylegarage. Gubi’s Coco DINING CHAIRS, Kiosk. CHANDELIER, Lambert & Fils. ROMAN SHADE FABRIC, Romo. Antony Ellis ART, Canvas Gallery.
Practicality was paramount in the family’s main eating area. “The bench offers stability for active young kids, and the chairs are easy to move to make room for a high chair,” says Keeley. Plus, their vinyl-covered seats are wipeable, while the backs are performance wool.
Make a statement
Beat Fat PENDANTS, Tom Dixon. PAINT, White Dove OC-17 (walls, cabinets), Benjamin Moore; Aloof Gray SW 6197 (island), Sherwin-Williams.
The kitchen cabinetry and countertop were in top condition and the layout worked, “so why reinvent the wheel?” says Keeley. She had the cabinets sprayed to match the walls, but highlighted the island in a subtle green grey. Blue stools are fun, and the sconces, she says, “make a statement without showing off,” and bring modern verve to the trad cabinetry.
“An upholstered bed was an absolute must for that warm, cozy feel you crave in a bedroom.” – Keeley McCleary
Point and counterpoint
BED, Rove Concepts. RUG, Mellah. Linen THROW, CUSHIONS, LAMP, Elte. Vintage NIGHTSTAND, Shoppe Clover. DRAPERY FABRIC, Romo. WALL PAINT, Calm OC-22, Benjamin Moore. Michael Brown ART, Canvas Gallery.
The couple wanted a light, low-contrast Scandi look in the primary bedroom. “To steer clear of boring, it was crucial to pile on the layers,” says Keeley. “Without varying tone, texture and shape, even the best of design can fall flat.” The cool chrome table contrasts the room’s warm whites, and the glossy lamp adds a subtle graphic quality.
Bright beginnings
CHANDELIER, Elte. MILLWORK, Pineapple Homes. CABINETRY HARDWARE, MYOH.
Custom his-and-hers wardrobes (opposite page) have recessed lighting that turns on when the doors open, making mornings bright and orderly. The stunning ceiling light plays a leading role. Says Keeley, “It continues the dialogue between traditional elements and a modern interpretation, lending a soft, sculptural quality to the room.”
Suite life
FAUCETS, SHOWER FIXTURES, Brizo. Custom VANITY, Pineapple Homes. COUNTERS, Caesarstone. FLOOR TILE (main and shower), Ciot. WALL TILE, Cercan Tile. RUG, Mellah. ROMAN SHADE FABRIC, Romo.
“The ensuite is compact,” says Keeley, explaining that the family bathroom has a tub, so a luxe walk-in shower for Mom and Dad was more crucial here. A floating vanity drops down to accommodate a window. “Natural light in a bathroom is everything!” says Keeley, adding that black is the backbone that supports all the other elements in the room.
Everything is A-OK
SOFA, COFFEE TABLE, Elte Mkt. Heather Millar’s A-OK ART, Canvas Gallery. CUSHIONS, Elte.
With only 1,400 square feet of living space on the main floors, the newly renovated basement added a much-needed 730 more for family fun time. A jump-on-worthy sectional in deep charcoal will hide inevitable spills and is sure to be the site of cozy family movie nights as the kids grow.
Spirited design
MILLWORK, Pineapple Homes. BAR COUNTERTOP, Caesarstone. CABINETRY PULLS, MYOH.
The previously scary basement is a distant memory. Now the space has something for everyone. “A bar was on Trevor’s wish list, and I was happy to provide,” says Keeley. A black lacquered interior and bronze backsplash make a masculine Art Deco moment; rift-cut oak in a whitewash stain ties into the home’s palette.
In good order
The custom shelving was cleverly designed to disguise a support column that couldn’t be moved. Sleek LED lighting illuminates the couple’s vinyl collection. “A bank of drawers below the shelves houses all the necessary ‘junk’ that comes along with real life,” says Keeley.
“I love a good peekaboo moment, and the bar’s pocket doors deliver.”
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