Geoffrey House is a single-family home designed by Wanda Ely Architect, a Toronto-based architecture design practice, specializing in contemporary, inspired, and thoughtfully detailed residential projects. Built for a couple and their young son, this project seeks unpretentious yet imaginative solutions for family living. Modest, practical spaces are designed to function efficiently, but are thoughtfully enriched with bold colours and rustic materials reimagined in modern compositions, to avoid feeling sterile or generic. Photos by Scott Norsworthy
A new, large sliding glass door connects the living space with an outdoor seating area and BBQ on a raised deck outside. Opening up the back of the house provides a generous, well-lit space for a kitchen and family room, with views out to the back yard.
A breakfast nook with banquette seating is tucked into the bay window.
A storage wall of high gloss white cabinets incorporate pantry storage, drawer space, and a coat closet by the back door and frame inset portions of white oak shelves that float against a rustic, red brick wall.
The back of the island features a bold custom panel that combines various reclaimed woods into a graphic, chevron pattern.
The powder room is tucked neatly off the corridor and features a mosaic of traditional black and white tile from floor to ceiling.
Retro black and white mosaic tiles are paired with a unique hanging mirror and wall sconce; a shallow wall-mount sink maximizes space in the compact powder room.
A bold splash of colour on the original clawfoot tub, and small marble hex tiles instantly update the kids bathroom.
The ensuite features a custom vanity and mirror in solid walnut. Custom pulls are thoughtfully considered as part of the design, integrated into the drawer fronts.
The warm, rich texture of the walnut vanity is paired with an soft, elegant blue tile to create a serene space overlooking the home’s forested yard.
The ensuite looks out to a vestibule for the master suite that doubles as a changing room with a full height mirror and hooks for bags and accessories.
The master bedroom is a lofty space overlooking the rear yard, accessed through an existing brick opening.
Exposed beams painted white, and the refinished original brick create a distinctive palette that is thoroughly modern, while still richly textured and respecting the home’s historic bones.
A wall of closets is considered as part of a composition that relates to open shelves and a custom oak step at the entry threshold of the master bedroom.
An enlarged window transforms the room into something of a serene, modern treehouse.
A dog wash is easily accessible from the side door basement walkout; perfect for cleaning dirty paws tracking dirt through the rest of the house.
Utilitarian plywood storage shelving accommodates additional pantry storage at the foot of the basement stair.
