Real Estate: Multi-Million Dollar Canadian Homes

March 9, 2015 | 4 Commentaries

The latest issue of Toronto Life published another article about Toronto’s crazy real estate game. This time, the article was focused on a section of Forest Hill where home owners/developers/architects are basically one-upping neighbours/competitors and building monstrosities that may or may not fit in with the Forest Hill aesthetic (I guess it depends on who’s judging). The article honestly made me laugh out loud. Toronto real estate is ridiculous, and it blows my mind that a $3.25 million house comes with only 1 garage (for example). It also seems unbelievable that $1.5 million houses are torn down for new builds. Or, even when they’re not torn down, they require unbelievable amounts of money to bring them up-to-date.

The article – and my ongoing fascination with real estate – pushed me to browse the Toronto real estate listings. Here are some of the pricey properties that caught my attention.

500 Wellington St. PH1001, Toronto, $7.9 million

88 Davenport Rd. #2401, Toronto, $8.988 million

100 Glen Rd., Toronto, $9.5 million

50 Yorkville Ave., Toronto SP 1, $11.9 million

50 Yorkville Ave., Toronto #2402, $12.995 million

118 Yorkville Ave., Toronto, PH901, $18.9 million

I also expanded my search to all of Canada to see what $10+ million dollar properties looked like elsewhere. Here’s a sample:

650 Lowry Ln., North Vancouver, $10,988,800

2156 SW Marine Dr., Vancouver, $11.9 million

13283 56th Ave., Surrey, $12.888 million

1116 Highland Place, West Vancouver, $19.7 million

Magog, Quebec, $25 million (click the link – it’s basically a castle)

And, now, for something a little closer to home…this gem in Kitchener, Ontario is full of white, and it seems like a major deal at only $2.5 million!

12 Westgate Walk, Kitchener, $2.5 million

What was that about “if I had a million dollars”? Seems like it can’t buy a whole heck of a lot in Toronto (besides Kraft Dinner, naturally).

The Friday Five: Laundry Room Details

March 6, 2015 | Leave a Reply

I’ve got a bathroom/laundry room renovation on my mind these days. I would really like to start the reno this spring, but I’ve had little time to finalize the design plan. It’s not going to be anything too complicated as it is a small space, but every reno needs thoughtful consideration and planning. Am I right?

I’m looking at the design details of these laundry rooms and they’re making me wish I had a large enough space to incorporate all of them!

drying rack drawer – via Eleven Gables

sorting drawer – via Sunny Side Up

clothes hanging rod – via Home Bunch

closet fold-down ironing board – via Home Bunch

Fornasetti overload – via Berkley Interior & Lifestyle Design

Mixing it Up: Black and White

March 5, 2015 | 1 Commentary

Today’s post is a bit of a mix-up. I just wanted to share some black and white photos I have recently snapped.

I saw this accordion at the St. Jacobs antique mall and loved the bedazzled scroll work.

Rox-Anne and I enjoyed a great brunch at the relatively new Gilt Restaurant in Kitchener a few weeks ago here in KW. The restaurant is ideally located at King & Victoria, and the food and decor were both impressive. Here’s a quick peek at the washroom entry.

And since I’m on the bathroom train, I just loved the black and white hex flooring in the bathroom at Toronto’s Royal Alexandra theatre. What a pretty border!

Black and white is classic!

Uptown: A Look at My Kitchen

March 4, 2015 | 6 Commentaries

I have already shared photos of my main floor powder room. Today, I’m revealing the after photos of my kitchen. I took forever to finish up the last bit of grouting (there was a space that I was too lazy to fill), and I was putting off the photos until the backsplash was really fully complete. The before photos of my kitchen are pretty horrific. Honestly, I look back at them and I wonder what the heck I was thinking when I actually bought my house! They’re that bad!

So what did I do to my kitchen to get it white and bright? Here’s a list:
– primed and painted the walls and ceiling
– tore down a dividing wall beside the stove
– installed some new lighting
– installed some additional cabinetry
– installed a marble countertop
– installed a single basin sink
– installed a backsplash (I did it myself!)
– installed an over-the-range microwave
– changed the cabinet hardware

Yes, it was a lot of work! Still on the to do list? The floors are still on my wish list. I’d really love to install hardwood floors.

Okay, here are the after photos:

In case anyone is wondering – I generally do keep my kitchen this tidy. I took everything off of my fridge and the stack of papers/books/magazines off of the table for the photos, but other than that, my kitchen looks like this every day. The stove and floor could use a scrub, but c’est la vie.

Sources:
marble counter – Natural Stone City
sink – Vigo via Home Depot
microwave – KW Appliances
backsplash tiles via Kijiji (for only $10!)
toaster – Cuisinart
KitchenAid stand mixer
oil & vinegar bottles – Diane von Furstenberg
salt & paper shakers – Chapters Indigo
small tray – Crate & Barrel
large tray, milk glass, light fixture, embroidered cherries framed – vintage
tea towel, plant pot, table – IKEA
chairs – vintage, painted by me (inspired by Joan Miró)
black & white fridge magnet bottle openers – Alessi
watermelon art – painted by me (age 5)

The Friday Five: A Collection of Interiors

February 20, 2015 | 1 Commentary

I recently learned about InCollect – a website that has an incredible collection of photos of interiors, decorative arts, furniture, and fine art. I pulled five images of impressive white interiors from designers around the world.

city retreat – design by Jessica Lagrange Interiors

lake house – design by Suzanne Lovell

Miraval Living – Campion Platt Interiors

midtown apartment – Robert Courturier

chic – Suzanne Kasler

I’m sure you’d be able to spend a good chunk of your weekend browsing the site. There is so much to see!

Photos via InCollect.

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