Curb Appeal Toronto West - ISSUE 08 • 2023

$2,199,000

Roncesvalles Grande Dame! 2.5 Storey Detached Century Building in High Demand Roncesvalles Village. Regal Curb Appeal with Inviting Front Porch, Four Character Filled Suites Offering a Blend of Original Charm & Modern Updates. Original Staircase & Bannister, Hardwood Floors, Period Baseboard & Trim, 2 Ornate Fireplaces, 2 Bedroom Lower Suite + Three 1 Bedroom Suites Above Grade, Rooftop Balconies, Updated Mechanics, Thermal Windows, Roofing Etc. Large 24’ x 123’ Lot w/3 Car Parking, High Demand Rental Pocket, 3 Blocks to High Park, Close Proximity to TTC, Roncesvalles, King & Queen West Shopping & Entertainment, Lakeshore Trails.

$2,299,000

307 Pacific avenue

Stately 2.5 Storey Victorian Multiplex On Coveted Pacific Avenue, Circa 1888 Detached With Period Brick Facade, Inviting Front Porch, 6 Well Designed Suites, Stained Glass, Interior & Mechanical Renovation In 2006, Over 3,500Sq.Ft Finished On 4 Levels. Roof, 3rd Floor Deck & Suite Updates 2021, 6 Hydro Meters, 5 Gas Meters, Convenient Coin Op Laundry, Multiple Decks & Outdoor Space For Tenants, Property Leased: $118.5K Gross Income, $13.5K Expenses, $105K Net Income. 4.57% Cap Rate At List. Low Maintenance 25’ X 78’ Landscaped Lot. Short Stroll To The Junction & Bloor West Village Shopping/Entertainment, High Park, TTC.

junction

Swansea Triplex Gem! Massive 2 Storey Detached Overlooking Grenadier Pond. Three Renovated Executive Level Suites Offering Generous Room Sizes & Loads of Natural Light. This Seven Bedroom Property Consists of Two Large 2 Bedroom Suites, and One 3 Bedroom Suite. Renovated Kitchens w/Shaker Cabinetry & Quartz Counters, Timeless 4pc. Bathrooms, Hardwood Floors, Oversize Balconies, Common Laundry Room, Generous 45’ x 80’ lot w/2 Car Garage & 4 Additional Driveway Spots, On-Demand Hot Water Boiler, Re-Wired w/ Separate Hydro Meters. Close Proximity to High Park, Lakeshore Trails, TTC, Gardiner, Airport, Bloor West Village & Roncesvalles.

SWANSEA

Warren Park

This charming semi-detached features 3 bedrooms, a stunning sunroom, and a spacious basement with a separate entrance. It is located in a mature neighborhood on a quiet street. Close to Bloor West Village, great schools, shops, restaurants & public transit. Steps to Humber River, parks and trails. A perfect place to call home!

Visit my website for more information about this listing.

TESTIMONIAL

We are so thankful to have had Nutan’s support throughout the home buying process. She was lovely to work with and very patient, both qualities that were much appreciated in this extremely fast moving market. Nutan was always very respectful of our budget and kept confidence that we could find something just right. With Nutan’s support, we were lucky enough to find our perfect home and are excited for this next chapter!

Alia & Brendan

James BAKER james@thnmedia.com

DIRECTOR Jason STACEY jason@thnmedia.com ADVERTISING SALES Marianne KENNEDY marianne@thnmedia.com

PRODUCTION Dereck ADDIE dereck@thnmedia.com WEB DESIGN Bryce LYNAS bryce@thnmedia.com

MAKING A SLEEK BIG LEAGUE PATTERN IN YOUR LAWN IS AS EASY AS MOWING WITH THIS STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE

How to

STRIPE YOUR LAWN FOR A BIG LEAGUE LOOK

Article by Scotts.com

YOU CAN DO IT YOURSELF

Admit it. You want them. Those beautiful stripes on your lawn that’ll make your grass look like ballpark grass. Clean and professional. Like the fields you see in college and professional sports stadiums. You’re in luck, because it’s really not too hard to make stripes in your lawn if you have cool-season grass. Here’s how.

THE WAY STRIPING WORKS

The effect of stripes you see on a lawn or playing field is simply light reflecting off the grass blades. Blades bent towards you look dark, while those bent the opposite way look lighter. You can see some of the

same effect with normal mowing, and creating patterns just takes it a step further. To get the blades to bend, you’ll need a striping kit for your mower or a roller. You can buy a striping kit online or find instructions on how to build one yourself.

PICK A PATTERN

Before you start mowing, decide on the pattern you want to create. It may help - especially when doing this the first time - to make a sketch of how the pattern will fit the layout of your lawn. The possibilities are practically endless, but stripes, checkerboards, and diamonds are the most common patterns.

WATCH WHERE YOU’RE MOWING

Unless you’re purposely creating a wavy pattern, take care to mow in a straight line. Start by mowing parallel to a straight sidewalk or driveway. To keep mowing straight, look at least 10 feet in front of you while you mow, rather than at the ground right in front of the mower. When you come to the end of a row, lift the mower deck as you turn, then mow in the opposite direction next to your previous pass. To create a checkerboard, mow the lawn a second time at 90 degrees to your first mowing. Finish by mowing a strip around the edges of the lawn.

INTENSIFY YOUR STRIPES

Your mowing will create the basic pattern, but the next step is what the professionals do to make their patterns more pronounced. The secret is to bend the grass blades further, and you can do that with a lawn roller. If you don’t own a roller, you can rent one. Go back over your mowing stripes, rolling the grass in the same direction you mowed. You’ll see a dramatic difference.

ADDITIONAL STRIPING TIPS

To create a vivid pattern, mow high. Mowing at the highest setting creates softer grass that bends over easily. A shorter grass blade will not bend over as far, and the pattern will not be as noticeable. Raising the mowing height even a half-inch can make a difference. Don’t forget to feed your lawn every 6-8 weeks with Scotts® Turf Builder® Lawn Food. A lawn fed 2-4 times per year, will grow thick and lush helping make the stripes even more dramatic. Finally, always mow with a sharp blade for a nice, healthy cut. ◆

A unique living experience in the premier Riverhouse At The Old Mill.  This spectacular corner unit boasts 2381 square feet of interior living space and 1400 sq ft of terrace. The fabulous wraparound terrace has amazing views of the Humber River, the lush Humber Valley and city skyline. The views are breathtaking and the large floor to ceiling windows throughout the property allow an abundance of light.

Custom Interior Design finishes make this a move-in ready luxurious home.  Recently interior designed, this unit has stunning coffered ceilings throughout and a sumptuous gold painted ceiling in the generous front foyer.  The well designed custom kitchen incorporates a double wide island perfect for entertaining friends. The double sliding doors out to the terrace is easy access to a BBQ and herb garden. Every detail of this condominium is designed to take advan-

tage of the space and views. The living room/dining room has rich hardwood floors and features a gas fireplace. It is a superb entertainment space with stunning views of the large terrace.  Homeowners could host a party for 50 on the terrace and have plenty of space for more.

The Primary Suite is complete with walkout to a covered terrace which is large enough for a dining table.  Soothing wallpaper and soft wool carpets extend the feeling of comfort and luxury. A walk-in closet and marble bathroom completes the classic and beautifully appointed ensuite.

For family and cozy nights in, the versatile large family room is flooded with light and again has a walk out to the terrace.  The family room can easily be converted to a bedroom with a semi-ensuite. Custom built-ins store family treasure and a desk alcove has custom file folder built-ins.

HAVE YOU EVER TRIED GRILLING STRAWBERRIES?

THIS HEARTY, HEALTHY SALAD FEATURES THE RICH FLAVOURS OF GRILLED STRAWBERRIES AND ASPARAGUS. A BASE OF FREEKEH GRAINS (A TYPE OF WHEAT HARVESTED WHILE THE GRAIN IS STILL YOUNG AND GREEN) ADDS NUTTY TASTE AND TEXTURE, THOUGH YOU CAN USE QUINOA, FARRO OR BULGUR WHEAT INSTEAD.

GRILLED STRAWBERRY AND ASPARAGUS FREEKEH SALAD

Prep Time: 10 mins | Cook Time: 15 mins | Serves: 3

INGREDIENTS

• 1 cup (200 g) California strawberries

• 6-8 stalks of asparagus

• ¾ cup (255 g) cooked freekeh (½ cup or 100 g dry)

• 1 tbsp (20 g) shaved/grated Parmesan cheese or 6-8 shaved pieces

• 1 tbsp (20 g) walnuts, toasted (optional) and chopped

• ½ tbsp (7½ ml) olive oil plus ½ tbsp (7½ ml) for drizzle

• Salt and pepper

• 1 tbsp (15 ml) balsamic vinegar

• 2 skewers, soaked in cold water if wooden

DIRECTIONS

STEP 1 Turn on the grill and set it to medium heat.

STEP 2 While the grill is preheating, cook freekeh according to package directions.

STEP 3 Clean, wash and dry asparagus stems. Place asparagus, olive oil, salt and pepper in a bowl and mix thoroughly. Place asparagus on grill and cook for 15 minutes or until desired tenderness is achieved.

STEP 4 While asparagus is cooking, clean and dry whole strawberries (leaving stems intact) and thread onto skewers. Place on grill for 2-3 minutes or until the strawberries are just soft. Remove from skewers; remove the stems and cut into halves or quarters.

STEP 5 When asparagus is cooked, remove from grill and allow to cool. Chop into 1-inch pieces.

STEP 6 In a large bowl, gently toss cooked freekeh, plus the strawberries, asparagus and walnuts. Season with salt and pepper and drizzle with olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Top with freshly grated or shaved Parmesan. ◆ newscanada.com

EPITOME OF LUXURY & CHIC ELEGANCE

A QUINTESSENTIAL CONDO LIFESTYLE OPPORTUNITY... TURNKEY...

First offering for resale since construction. This extraordinary penthouse suite truly offers the ultimate in refined condominium living. The original owner spared no expense in upgrading all the finishes throughout to create a most luxurious ambiance. Slab marble, Marana cabinetry. Panoramic golf course views from every room as well as the downtown skyline. Grand 1,200 square foot professionally landscaped terrace with gourmet outdoor BBQ centre. Stunning open concept living room and dining rooms with a fireplace and walls of windows. Cosy main floor family room. Chef’s Kitchen with a separate entrance to the corridor.

Sumptuous primary bedroom features: fireplace, private terrace, dual walk-in closets, abundant built-in cabinets & palatial ensuite bathroom. A second bedroom offers its own three piece ensuite bath and balcony. Glamorous foyer and convenient powder room. Rarely available parking for three cars right next to elevators. Supersized 227 sq ft locker. This fully furnished suite has it all. Quiet boutique building near all amenities and just 5 minutes to the international airport. Building amenities include; 24 hour concierge, pool/spa, party room, gym & guest suites. By appointment only for qualified buyers.

FLOW HOUSE

By Dubbeldam Architecture | Photography by Riley Snelling

D

ubbeldam Architecture + Design unveils

Flow House, a semi-detached Victorian house in midtown Toronto that has been reconfigured for a creative couple and their children. The transformation of the 130-year-old home included adding additional living space on the back and top of the home, improving connections to the outdoors, and updating the interior and rear yard for contemporary living. The traditional front façade remains, while the interior is now a meaningful reflection of the family’s unique personalities, vocations, and shared experiences.

PROJECT DETAILS

TEAM:

LOCATION: Toronto, ON

SIZE: 2,500 sq ft

CONTRACTOR: DDF Contracting Ltd.

CONSULTANTS: Blackwell Structural Engineers

Though less than five meters wide, with an added area of only 230-square-meters, the home now seems much larger through a strategy of compression and expansion. Narrowed interstitial spaces enclose, creating a feeling of compression, then open to larger spaces with lofty ceilings. And throughout there are moments of surprise and delight – the merging of interior and exterior spaces, the introduction of natural light in unexpected places, and the playful sculpting of elements that establish an organic quality to the home. ▹

Heather Dubbeldam, Andrew Snow, Krystal Kramer, Scott Sampson, Gigi Presentey, Omkar Kulkarni

Referencing one homeowner’s profession as a ceramicist, the notion of tactility and craft permeates the home through materials, forms, patterns, and textures. Suggesting a complementary hybrid of Scandinavian and Mediterranean influences, the wood cabinetry, screens, and flooring in warm white oak are accented by concrete and Carrara marble sinks, antiqued brass fixtures, and hand-molded clay pendants. A clean backdrop of white walls and shelving provides a blank canvas to showcase the family’s collection of art, tapestries, and sculpture from local artists, along with artifacts gathered during travels abroad and the owner’s own ceramics. Colour animates the interstitial spaces of the home –terra cotta tiles are laid in a herringbone pattern in the entry foyer, and a wall of geometric cerulean blue tiles defines the bar between the kitchen and dining room.

Underpinned by an aesthetic of fluid contours – a deliberate contrast to the rectilinear floorplan – the house’s interior elements appear sculpted rather than built. The helical staircase connecting all four floors is a focal point that expresses the home’s sense of flow. Awash in natural light from the skylight above, the winding balustrade and natural oak treads cast shifting shadows throughout the day.

“Curvilinear forms are employed throughout,” says firm principal, Heather Dubbeldam. “Arched openings between rooms incite anticipation as they frame views of what lies beyond, resonating with curved walls, display nooks, the kitchen island and banquette, further enhancing the house’s sculptural sensibility.”

In addition to utilizing the latest sustainable systems and materials to promote well-being, large windows and skylights provide abundant light, natural ventilation, and connections to the outdoors. Mahogany-framed, floor-toceiling sliding glass doors on the third floor provide access to a roof deck, while a similarly lofty door in the kitchen opens to the furnished back patio.

Similar spatial strategies continue in the design of the rear yard. The volumes of charcoal-coloured panels that comprise the new rear façade are stepped back on multiple planes to create a roof deck and recessed entrance. In the back garden, compression and expansion is further explored through narrowed planting beds that open to wider spaces designed for play, dining, and relaxation. The wooden pergola, brick pavers, and ochre outdoor furniture are a nod to the various temperate climates the family has experienced together, while the landscaping of lush plantings provide interest year-round. For more information - dubbeldam.ca ◆