Lakeview in the Beaches
Overlooking Lake Ontario and Kew Gardens in Toronto’s The Beaches neighbourhood, this home takes full advantage of its surroundings from its tiny corner lot. Creating a serene oasis for its owners just a few blocks from busy Queen Street East, it feels both urban and cottagey. With large windows on the south, east and west, and generous balconies on the west side, indoor spaces flow seamlessly to outdoor spaces. Sunlight fills the 2,760 sq. ft. home throughout the day, while the extension of the balconies above each floor provide shade from the hottest afternoon sun.
“Everyone has a theory about this house, but it’s exactly the way we wanted to live.”
Modern Beachside Cottage Embraces Natural Beauty and Breathes New Life into the Area
– National Post
The second floor has a large family room and outdoor balcony where the owners spend much of their leisure time in the evenings, a comfortable distance from the street traffic. The master suite on the third floor also has an outdoor terrace overlooking Kew Gardens, providing privacy and tranquility for relaxing and recharging.
The rooftop is finished with an exercise pool, outdoor kitchen and barbecue area, and is serviced with a dumbwaiter that runs through the building like a chimney. There are stairs from the second-floor balcony so that the owners can entertain without traversing their private spaces; while a secondary access from the master suite provides for late-night swims and private moments to enjoy sunset views over the city.
When the trees are in full bloom during summer months, the rooftop feels more like a tree house situated in a lush forest than an urban home in Canada’s largest city. The interiors are clean and bright with polished concrete floors and a white and grey palette. There is a gas fireplace on each floor to ensure coziness in winter months, and multiple living spaces present options for entertaining and family time.
Plaster tile was used to create a textured feature that extends two storeys through the stairwell, with hidden lights to embellish the space in the evenings. Custom grey-stained oak cabinetry wraps the entry hall and kitchen, and conceals a powder room in the north-west corner. The same finish is used on the stairs and bathroom vanities, tying the spaces together. Large painted walls on the north side serve to display the owner’s art collection.
The home has a simplicity that feels warm and inviting, and lower ceilings foster a feeling of intimacy and coziness, creating the perfect oasis in the city for its owners.