My Houzz: Two Floors With a Daycare in a Toronto Victorian
Custom carpentry and an eye for antiques turn a rental apartment into a home that's like a hug
When Stephanie Moore and Adam Dalgarno set out to find a home in west Toronto, they expected some serious compromises. "Our wish list was lengthy, and our budget was tight. Adam was new to the city, and I just out of university, and we both needed a space that would function as our home and accommodate our new business ventures," says Moore. On their wish list was space for Rusted Maple, Dalgarno's carpentry workshop, and Moore's home daycare, which would include five preschoolers and Rowan, Dalgarno's son.
Two years ago they found this rental on the top two floors of an early-20th-century Victorian. The bones were good, the light was warm, and they knew this would be home. "We are so pleased that we had the perfect canvas to work with," says Moore. Since then the couple has filled their space with objects from their past and present, creating a narrative of love and collaboration.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Stephanie Moore and Adam Dalgarno with son Rowan
Location: Roncesvalles neighborhood of Toronto
Size: 1,000 square feet; 1 master loft, 1 bathroom, plus playroom and garage studio
Two years ago they found this rental on the top two floors of an early-20th-century Victorian. The bones were good, the light was warm, and they knew this would be home. "We are so pleased that we had the perfect canvas to work with," says Moore. Since then the couple has filled their space with objects from their past and present, creating a narrative of love and collaboration.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Stephanie Moore and Adam Dalgarno with son Rowan
Location: Roncesvalles neighborhood of Toronto
Size: 1,000 square feet; 1 master loft, 1 bathroom, plus playroom and garage studio
Large south-facing bay windows fill the living room with natural light. The family spends a lot of time in here, making memories and music with instruments from their travels, including a shakuhachi (Japanese flute), a yurdaki from travels in Australia, a singing drum from Nigeria and a djembe from Zambia, where Dalgarno spent most of his childhood years.
Dalgarno made the coffee table with reclaimed wood.
Wall paint: Glow, Behr; accent paint: Ellie, CIL/Glidden; sofa: Hovås, Ikea; coffee table: Rusted Maple
Wall paint: Glow, Behr; accent paint: Ellie, CIL/Glidden; sofa: Hovås, Ikea; coffee table: Rusted Maple
Having a home full of curious hands and minds five days a week doesn't detour Moore from creating a delicately beautiful home. "I wanted to ensure that the kids felt as comfortable as we do," Moore says. "There is nothing at their level that they aren’t allowed to explore." Branch trimmings are used for building towers; walnuts in a felt bowl are for counting and sorting. "It is endlessly rewarding to observe how Rowan and his daycare friends are both learning how to care for their living space, grow within in and take what they need from it," says Moore.
Vintage tray: Seafoam Green Lace, Fringe and Fettle Ceramics; flowers: Coriander Girl; wooden bowl: Rusted Maple
Vintage tray: Seafoam Green Lace, Fringe and Fettle Ceramics; flowers: Coriander Girl; wooden bowl: Rusted Maple
Dalgarno added custom pieces like this floating shelf in the vestibule beside an antique mirror. "I draw inspiration from natural elements and well-worn materials," he says. "The character made by way of time on old wood and steel by way of textures, colors and warmth never ceases to amaze me. These materials wear their history on their sleeves, sometimes years of grim have to be peeled back, but there is always beauty to be found."
Although the kitchen (seen in the rear here) isn't exactly to the couple's taste — Moore says she'd love open shelving — they've injected personality through touches like a large piece of driftwood and a hanging pot rack in the window. "Our biggest challenge is deciding how much money and time to invest in a home that we have made ours but do not have ownership of," says Moore. "We plan to stay here for at least a few more years, so that has swayed our decision to do some permanent work, like painting, but there are still restrictions."
Wall paint: Ellie, CIL/Glidden
Wall paint: Ellie, CIL/Glidden
The dining room is decorated with a gallery wall of family photos that set off a farmhouse table with mismatched chairs and open shelves displaying useful kitchen provisions. The couple painted the accent wall and swapped a typical rental light for a custom piece by Dalgarno to transform what was an otherwise white-walled space.
The playroom is on the main floor of the apartment and is the heart of the home. Many of the toys and furniture pieces are vintage and inspired by Moore's grandmother. "Many of my most cherished childhood memories were made in my grandparents' farmhouse in rural Northern Ontario," says Moore. "My grandmother had an affinity for old things, and it was definitely inherited. As a child of the Depression era, and a strong farm woman, she ensured that everything had the longest possible life — always saving things from auctions and flea markets to give away or creatively incorporate into her home." Here Rowan prepares tea on a 120-year-old farmhouse table and chairs.
Storage is especially important in the play area; Dalgarno built the storage unit in the bay window that houses books and toys.
Wall paint: Bali Hai, CIL/Glidden
Wall paint: Bali Hai, CIL/Glidden
The bathroom has many original elements, including the tub, floor tiles and wall tiles.
The French-style casement window provides a home for an always-changing collection of soaps, plants and freshly cut flowers. The subway and hexagonal mosaic tiles take Moore back to her first visit to New York City and, more specifically, the Chelsea Hotel.
Stool: custom, Rusted Maple; wire basket: The Mercantile
The French-style casement window provides a home for an always-changing collection of soaps, plants and freshly cut flowers. The subway and hexagonal mosaic tiles take Moore back to her first visit to New York City and, more specifically, the Chelsea Hotel.
Stool: custom, Rusted Maple; wire basket: The Mercantile
Locking the door and unwinding in the bath with a good read and a glass of wine is Moore's favorite relaxing ritual. "I spend a lot of my time in this house, and I never tire of this space," she says.
Japanese towel: Kontex
Japanese towel: Kontex
The hallway features a floating staircase to the rental unit's second-floor loft, allowing light to flood through the main floor. This was the most appealing feature to the couple — one of those surprises that you didn't know you needed until you had it.
The loft's bedroom area combines natural linens with a rustic door repurposed as a headboard to create a soothing space.
Bedding: West Elm; wall paint: Antique Tin, Behr
Bedding: West Elm; wall paint: Antique Tin, Behr
Moore and Dalgarno share the loft with Rowan, who has a cozy nook filled with pillows and vintage toys. Moore made all the bedding by hand. "I like to have a hand in everything that goes into our home — literally," she says. "It's important to feel connected to your space, and physically engaging with the materials you use to decorate is an important part of creating that feeling of home for me, rental or not."
The couple (shown here with Rowan) enjoys the hunt for unique pieces at their favorite rural flea markets. "There is no other place in the world I would rather be on a Sunday morning," Moore says. "Between my persistent desire to find treasures and Dalgarno’s carpentry, electrical and welding skills, we make a good design team." Some of their favorite spots along Highway 7 between Toronto and their home are Otter Creek Antiques in Lombardy and Stone Acre Manor Antiques in Brockville.
Show us your creative rental!
Show us your creative rental!