My Houzz: Rooftop Retreat Addition in Toronto
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Wanda and John Ely and their 2 kids
Location: Toronto, Canada
Size: 1,750 square feet; 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
On warm days, the couple opens up the rooftop space to the surrounding views and relaxes on the outdoor sectional, made by Toronto's Andrew Richard Designs. The inventive coffee table lends an industrial touch and intriguing texture to the space. John, who also holds an architecture degree, designed and built the low table as an anniversary present for Wanda. It's made up of multiple pieces of plywood clamped together with threaded rods and castors.
Sofa: Jane Loveseat, by Gus; custom windows: Bauhaus; tub: Kohler; table: designed by Wanda Ely, fabricated by Rodrigues Art and Steel
Floor lamp: Flos Rosy Angelis, Philippe Starck; chair: P40 lounge chair, Borsani
Millwork: Gibson Greenwood; sink and faucets: American Standard; photograph: Stephen Chung Photography
Though the couple will often bring
friends upstairs to relax on the private deck, the hub of the home is
the open-plan downstairs living space. The dining, kitchen and living
areas all flow into one another. The only partition is a central column
where painted portraits of the two children are displayed.
The expansive feeling of the ground floor is aided by large windows on two sides, mirrored rear walls and exposed ceiling joists. All have been painted white to add to the sense of height. Quirky vintage furniture, including reupholstered dining chairs from Craigslist and a teak dining table rescued from the trash, adds a playful touch. |
Though uncompromisingly modern in form, the addition is clad in rough-sawn cedar, and portions of it are painted black. Left untreated, the siding has weathered quickly, allowing the box to appear as if it may have always been there.