My Houzz: Creative Layers Bedeck a Family's Toronto Rental
Eclectic touches, personal treasures and plenty of color harmonize beautifully for a musical couple and their kids in Canada
Jenn Hannotte
April 14, 2013
After going through a “period of great difficulty for our family,” she says, Annie McDonald-Johnston and her husband, Michael Johnston, weren’t expecting much of the Toronto rental house they moved into seven years ago. “I was just grateful for the safe landing," says Annie.
But as time went by, and the family grew to include daughter Lila and son Winston, Annie added layer after layer of texture, moody colors, vintage lamps, salvaged furniture and thrift store scores that turned the otherwise bland rental into something like a well-written song, with all the instruments coming together to create a unique and lasting harmony. Which is fitting, seeing as the couple owns a local music school and studio.
“My son had his first birthday here, and my daughter started school, and we made a transition into an extended period of happiness that's still ongoing," Annie says.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Annie McDonald-Johnston, Michael Johnston, daughter Lila (6) and son Winston (3)
Location: Roncesvalles neighborhood of Toronto
Size: 2,000 square feet; 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, plus a playroom
But as time went by, and the family grew to include daughter Lila and son Winston, Annie added layer after layer of texture, moody colors, vintage lamps, salvaged furniture and thrift store scores that turned the otherwise bland rental into something like a well-written song, with all the instruments coming together to create a unique and lasting harmony. Which is fitting, seeing as the couple owns a local music school and studio.
“My son had his first birthday here, and my daughter started school, and we made a transition into an extended period of happiness that's still ongoing," Annie says.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Annie McDonald-Johnston, Michael Johnston, daughter Lila (6) and son Winston (3)
Location: Roncesvalles neighborhood of Toronto
Size: 2,000 square feet; 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, plus a playroom
Rich jewel tones and soft, luxurious layers play off an elegant French mirror and organic details in the living room. "It's the place I retreat to with friends, or my husband, or both once the children are in bed and most traces of them tidied away," Annie says.
She never turns down a great lamp or light fixture, and she's replaced most of the lighting in the house to reflect her personal aesthetic. Large vintage lamps make statements in corners and on floors, and many have been rewired and brought back to life by Ben Younger at Younger Electric.
Rug, couch, brass lamps, French mirror: Mrs. Huizenga; pillows, textiles: West Elm, Ikea, Mrs. Huizenga, vintage and handmade; "Wake Up" and "I Love You" prints: Annie Morrison; paint: Chelsea Gray, Benjamin Moore
She never turns down a great lamp or light fixture, and she's replaced most of the lighting in the house to reflect her personal aesthetic. Large vintage lamps make statements in corners and on floors, and many have been rewired and brought back to life by Ben Younger at Younger Electric.
Rug, couch, brass lamps, French mirror: Mrs. Huizenga; pillows, textiles: West Elm, Ikea, Mrs. Huizenga, vintage and handmade; "Wake Up" and "I Love You" prints: Annie Morrison; paint: Chelsea Gray, Benjamin Moore
Annie describes the house as a "rather nondescript century home with good bones." But the interior is much livelier.
Citing Abigail Ahern as one of her design influences, Annie has tried to adapt Ahern's philosophy of going dark, creating deep layers and playing with scale and humor.
Citing Abigail Ahern as one of her design influences, Annie has tried to adapt Ahern's philosophy of going dark, creating deep layers and playing with scale and humor.
Modern pieces, including a black and white Ikea rug and Saarinen-style tulip chairs, mix with more formal, antique-recalling wood furniture pieces for an elegant, eclectic look.
Small green plates: Anthropologie; espresso cups, saucers: The Arthur; sugar bowl: Mrs. Huizenga; gold flatware, wineglasses: West Elm; blue drip glaze pottery lamps: Junction Flea; myrtle tree: Coriander Girl; blue jay under glass dome: Chief Salvage; paint: Dark Pewter, Benjamin Moore; rug: Stockholm, Ikea
Small green plates: Anthropologie; espresso cups, saucers: The Arthur; sugar bowl: Mrs. Huizenga; gold flatware, wineglasses: West Elm; blue drip glaze pottery lamps: Junction Flea; myrtle tree: Coriander Girl; blue jay under glass dome: Chief Salvage; paint: Dark Pewter, Benjamin Moore; rug: Stockholm, Ikea
Because the couple owns a music studio, instruments are always coming in and out of the home. The dining room used to have two pianos, "twice as many as I'm comfortable with," Annie says, "but this one was a lucky find on Craigslist — a vintage Heintzman built in the historic Junction neighborhood of Toronto."
A bland kitchen was amped up with Tanner's Brown paint by Farrow & Ball; a vintage kilim covers tired linoleum; and instead of a breakfast table, Annie opted for this thrifted overstuffed sofa for tea and lounging that pulls the eye from the out-of-date cabinets.
She gave an inherited Hoosier cabinet a fresh update with Benamin Moore's Bird's Egg paint and ceramic knobs from Lee Valley.
Cushions: vintage, Ikea, West Elm; rug, palm tree print, crate: Mrs. Huizenga
She gave an inherited Hoosier cabinet a fresh update with Benamin Moore's Bird's Egg paint and ceramic knobs from Lee Valley.
Cushions: vintage, Ikea, West Elm; rug, palm tree print, crate: Mrs. Huizenga
The furniture in 3-year-old Winston's room was salvaged from the curb, cleaned up and painted in Day's End.
Bedding: Stenklöver, Ikea; rug, lamp: Mrs. Huizenga; pirate print: Rachel Riordan; mobile: Scooter Girl
Bedding: Stenklöver, Ikea; rug, lamp: Mrs. Huizenga; pirate print: Rachel Riordan; mobile: Scooter Girl
Shape and form rule in Winston's room; triangles, polka dots, warm and organic textures, and vintage elements combine into a sophisticated space for a growing boy.
Mushroom side table: Scooter Girl; bunting: The Paper Place
Mushroom side table: Scooter Girl; bunting: The Paper Place
In 6-year-old Lila's room, vintage Laura Ashley wallpaper is embraced by pretty pink paper pom-poms, her favorite dresses and a tepee she decorated with pussy willows, taking a cue from Mom's design influence.
Needlepoints: Mrs. Huizenga; tepee: Hip Baby; bed frame, bedding: Ikea; pirate and mermaid prints: Rachel Riordan
Needlepoints: Mrs. Huizenga; tepee: Hip Baby; bed frame, bedding: Ikea; pirate and mermaid prints: Rachel Riordan
The playroom on the second floor is large and bright despite the dark, moody walls. Colorful bunting and pastel blues enliven the space, which is the busiest place in the home for Winston and Lila.
Paper star lanterns: Ikea; kitchen: Scooter Girl; flower basket light: Mrs. Huizenga; paint: Studio Green No. 93, Farrow & Ball
Paper star lanterns: Ikea; kitchen: Scooter Girl; flower basket light: Mrs. Huizenga; paint: Studio Green No. 93, Farrow & Ball
A nonworking fireplace is fitted with a chalkboard for the kids to personalize, and the mantel is trimmed with handmade garland. Vintage art adds whimsy without being overtly childish.
Daybed: Ikea
Daybed: Ikea
Annie is constantly adding to what she calls the family's "wall of fame" in the entryway.
The entire family gathers on the couch. As renters, Annie and Michael are cognizant that they might not be able to stay in the home forever, but Annie says she is "clinging to the hope that we will."
"The great advantage of our situation," she says, "is that I can keep my lofty renovating ideas intact without ever having to come to Earth long enough to consider budgetary or structural concerns. I just paint and change light fixtures and generally squeeze in every beloved and relatively portable thing that I can."
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"The great advantage of our situation," she says, "is that I can keep my lofty renovating ideas intact without ever having to come to Earth long enough to consider budgetary or structural concerns. I just paint and change light fixtures and generally squeeze in every beloved and relatively portable thing that I can."
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A landlord is not likely to be upset if you paint walls in a neutral colour provided you do a good job and do not slop paint on the trim or floors. Changing light fixtures is a different story. It does not matter if you get your light fixture at a thrift store or even free, you had better get it installed by a licensed electrician and give the landlord the bill showing it was professionally installed. There is a liability issue here. If the installation cost is $250. the free light fixture is not a bargain.
Peggy - where do you live!?! I live in Geneva, Switzerland (consistently cited as among the most expensive places on the planet) and professional electricians don't cost $250 a pop. They aren't cheap but if the fixture is free or undercost and adds to my quality of life then I pay happily for beauty + peace of mind / happy insurance situation.
Nothing - nothing - is more useful than lighting when building a nest.
to aleanor: I live just west of Toronto. Qualified electrical contractors charge $150. just to show up then $100. per hour for their work with a minimum charge of 1 hour. Plumbers are the same.