Home renovation: The art of the mix

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That sensibility is especially evident in the lighting. Nearly every decorative fixture is vintage and globally sourced, with newer pieces mixed in where appropriate. 

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In the living room, sconces with pink and smoke-coloured glass balls add whimsy, while the dining room chandelier and sconces bring a more formal presence. 

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“I think that is what gives the rooms some of their narrative,” Stuart says. “You can tell that the lighting wasn’t selected all at once from one collection simply to complete the house. It feels found and accumulated, which is very reflective of Christine and David and the way they approach design.” 

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Colour provides another layer. The living and dining rooms are painted Benjamin Moore Revere Pewter, with Swiss Coffee on the trim, crown moulding and new panelling. The powder room takes a more dramatic turn with deep, earthy-green Wethersfield Moss walls, a Frosted Berry ceiling and Schumacher’s turquoise Eastern Eden wallpaper. 

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The palette was developed collaboratively by Stuart, Bonus and Gould, beginning with textiles. Richer claret, plum and green tones emerged through the main living spaces, with quieter blues and neutrals upstairs. 

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 The bar, once a simple white built-in, became one of the home’s most expressive design features. Stuart and Bonus introduced an arched niche, antique mirror, wood shelving and patterned wallpaper, with the cabinetry painted a deep, wine-toned Benjamin Moore New London Burgundy. 

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“We wanted it to feel dressier and more fun than it had been before,” Stuart says. “I like a little bit of sparkle at a bar, so some type of mirror always makes sense to me. It catches the light, adds depth and immediately gives it a sense of occasion.” 

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The kitchen took the opposite approach. Its existing footprint worked, so there was no reason to start over. The cabinetry was repainted in Benjamin Moore Cromwell Gray, a subtle neutral, while honed Calacatta Moonlight replaced the previous stone and a custom island was introduced. Burnished brass adds warmth to the greener, mossier palette. 

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Beyond the French doors, the new deck extends the principal bedroom outdoors, with wood-framed seating and a coffee table with the outdoor space enclosed by glass panels. Photo by Patrick Biller

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That selective approach extends upstairs. The existing principal bedroom was small and the homeowners had little use for a separate guest room. Combining the two suites created space for a larger bedroom, a more bespoke bathroom and walk-in closet. French doors now open onto a seasonal deck created from the existing flat roof. 

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Rather than extending the house to gain more square footage, the designers optimized the usable space already there, preserving the existing footprint while making it work harder for the homeowners. 

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New architectural details provide a framework for vintage lighting, art, textiles and furniture from different periods, creating a home that feels layered and collected. As Stuart puts it, the London flats and New York brownstones that informed the design were references rather than templates, giving the designers permission to mix periods and styles while keeping the house distinctly Toronto and at home in Summerhill. 

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And for a couple always on the hunt, sourcing and collecting eclectic pieces, that story keeps unfolding, now with the house providing the perfect backdrop for whatever they discover next. 

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