Curb Appeal Toronto West - ISSUE 01 • 2025

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$1,499,000

$2,199,000

44 Symington Avenue

Professionally Renovated 2 Storey Victorian Century Home w/2 Wonderful Bi-Level Suites. Coveted Junction Triangle Location. Upper 3 Bdrm Bi-Level Suite Plus Lower Bi-Level 2 Bdrm Suite. Spacious Open Concept Living/Dining/Kitchen Areas. Locally Recognized Chef Designed Kitchens, Approx 10’ Ceilings on the Main. Full 2023 Reno/Re-Build w/Addition, 2,000sq.ft+ Finished, Uber Quiet Private Backyard w/Garage, Tremendous Owner/User Or Investor Application. Steps to Local Shopping & Entertainment, TTC & UP Express.

junction triangle

307 Pacific avenue

Grand 2.5 Storey Victorian Multiplex On Historic Pacific Avenue, Circa 1888 Detached w/Period Brick Facade, Spacious Front Porch, 6 Well Designed Suites, Interior & Mechanical Renovation In 2006, Over 3,500Sq.Ft Finished On 4 Levels, 6 Hydro Meters, 5 Gas Meters, Coin Op Laundry, Multiple Decks & Outdoor Space For Tenants, Property Fully Tenanted: $113K Net Income. Low Maintenance 25’ X 78’ Lot; Tenants Manage Refuse & Snow, Short Stroll To The Junction And Bloor West Village Shopping And Entertainment, High Park, TTC.

JUNCTION

MID-CENTURY MULTI-LEVEL

Prestigious Thorncrest Village. The exclusive enclave of only 208 residences is home to some of the city’s most prominent families, filled with grand, custom-built estates lining the meandering streets. 44 Pheasant Lane, situated on arguably the best street in Thorncrest Village, was thoughtfully designed to be a unique and spacious 5500+ sq ft family residence. Enter to 18’ vaulted ceilings in the living room with lush garden views; the home has been built in a mid-century contemporary style, featuring cedar, brick, two sunken living rooms, five fireplaces, and flagstone accents. Upstairs, you’ll find two separate levels - one for children and guests, the other for the primary suite. The primary suite, spanning 675 sq ft, features three walk-out balconies, a floor-to-ceiling brick fireplace with a flagstone ledge, an updated (2024) ensuite bath and walk-in closets. This home is built for entertaining, with excellent flow on the main and lower levels -full-size windows, fantastic ceiling height, and a sizeable wet bar on the lower level, giving you two full floors of functional entertaining space for the extended family. The backyard is framed by mature trees, with only other yards abutting the property line on three sides, offering unparalleled privacy. Families will enjoy the quiet cul-de-sac lifestyle, with no through traffic, and the kids can play outside with peace of mind. Thorncrest Village residents enjoy access to the optional Thorncrest Village Club, featuring an outdoor pool, tennis courts, summer camp, and much more.

CLASSIC CHARM

The clients came to Two Birds Design with a disjointed kitchen and oddly placed, over-sized powder room, looking for guidance on enlarging the kitchen and creating better flow from room to room. Like many of their clients, they weren’t sure how long they would be staying in this home so a consideration for resale and appealing to the masses was key. However, they still wanted to have some fun and infuse colour and whimsy into the space.

Two Birds Design opted to keep the flooring, cabinets and counter-tops (all the big ticket items) in classic neutral tones and had fun with items that are easier changed out later like lighting, furniture and accessories. Their assortment of worldly treasures and collections of quirky dishware and tea-pots, paired with the custom-made brass light fixtures and tapestry-like tiled backsplash, gives the kitchen and dining area a sense of playfulness amidst the otherwise conventional white and navy cabinetry. ▹

Two Birds Design continued the fun in the principle bathroom where they stuck with a classic black and white scheme but opted for a bold geometric mirror and brass fixtures. Making use of every inch, they created recessed shelving in the custom shower and vanity area that provides more opportunity to display collectibles as well as storage for everyday bathroom items.

Two Birds Design is comprised of principle designers, Andi Wheelband and Renée Frostick, joined by associate designer Maggie Burley With over 10 years experience working in awardwinning design firms across Ontario, a partnership was formed to create a boutique interior design business in 2013. Since then, they have had the pleasure of designing incredible homes for wonderful clients across the GTA.

Two Birds Design specialize in creating unique and liveable spaces while providing dedicated and personalized service, unrivalled by larger design firms. With a focus on exceptional quality, creative thinking and attention to detail, they ensure each project is handled with integrity and precision, from the initial planning stages through to construction and implementation. Rather than working in a “signature style” they develop each design based on the distinctive personality and lifestyle of their client. ◆

THE END RESULT WAS AN ECLECTIC HOME THAT REFLECTS THE UNIQUE CHARM OF THE CURRENT HOMEOWNERS WHILE MAINTAINING A CLASSIC AESTHETIC THAT WILL STAND THE TEST OF TIME.

PUB RECIPES TO RECREATE AT HOME Tasty

DIRECTIONS

STEP ONE: In a frying pan over medium-high heat, sweat onions and garlic until transparent. Add in mushrooms and cook for 2 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.

STEP TWO: Place a large stewing pot on the stove over mediumhigh heat. Toss the beef in 2 tablespoons flour and season with salt and pepper. Once the stew pot is hot, add oil to coat the bottom surface. Add in beef, but only enough so there is room for each piece to properly sear. Shake the pot occasionally and the cubes will come undone as they finish searing. Don’t force it as it will tear the meat. Continue to sear remaining pieces of beef. Once completed, remove meat from pot and reduce heat.

STEP THREE: In a heat-safe container, pour in liquid bouillon and remaining 2 tablespoons flour. Stir. Mix in boiling water and stir until incorporated and dissolved.

STEP FOUR: In the same pot where you seared the beef, add liquid bouillon mixture and Worcestershire sauce. Skim the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon to deglaze and get up all that goodness left over from searing the meat.

STEAK + ALE MUSHROOM PIE

Prep Time: 30 mins | Cook Time: 2.5 hrs | Serves: 4

INGREDIENTS

• 1.5 pounds bottom round beef, trimmed and cut into small chunks

• 4 tbsp all-purpose flour, divided

• 1 tsp vegetable oil

• 2 carrots, peeled and roughly cut

• 1 large onion, chopped coarsely

• 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped

• 1 package button or cremini mushrooms

• 12 ounces brown or red ale beer

• 2 tsp liquid beef bouillon or 2 beef bouillon cubes

• 1/2 cup boiling water

• 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce

• 3-4 whole sprigs of fresh thyme

• Several pieces of whole fresh parsley, stems included

• 1 large bay leaf

• Salt and pepper, to taste

• 1 box ready-made frozen puff pastry, thawed

RECIPE TIP: While you can make and eat the stew filling the same day, the flavours will be more concentrated and delicious if you refrigerate overnight. It’s worth the wait for best results!

STEP FIVE: Toss meat back into stewing pot along with sweated vegetables. Pour in ale. Give a good stir and add in fresh herbs, submerging them. Remove from heat, cover pot with a lid and place in oven at 325°F (162°C) for 90 minutes.

STEP SIX: Remove from oven, allow to rest and completely cool. Remove thyme sprigs, parsley and bay leaf and discard. Refrigerate overnight for best results.

STEP SEVEN: Once ready to bake, transfer stew mixture into a casserole dish or individual ramekins for single serve. Carefully place thawed puff pastry over top, leaving an inch hanging over. Press and seal pastry to the side of the dish. Apply egg wash for shine if you desire.

STEP EIGHT: Bake at 375° F (190°C) for 40 to 45 minutes or until puff pastry is golden brown and filling is warmed through.

STEP NINE: Remove from oven and allow to rest before cutting.

Find more delicious mushroom recipes at mushrooms.ca

HAPPY HOME

NAMED FOR THE CLIENTS, THE HAPPY HOME IS A CHARMING NEW BUILD IN GEORGETOWN, ONTARIO. IT IS A BEAUTIFUL MIX OF TRANSITIONAL AND CLASSIC ELEMENTS.

From the outside, the house exudes warmth and welcome with its Hope Bay exterior stone, grey wood siding with white trim, shutters and accents.

Parkyn Design painted the front foyer white and purposely gave it clean lines so that the client’s artwork would ‘POP’. They played with the light and reflection at the midpoint of the staircase by installing an enormous custom antique framed mirror. This also helps to brighten the space.

THE KITCHEN’S WHITE CABINETS, QUARTZ COUNTERTOP AND BACKSPLASH KEEP THE SPACE FEELING LIGHT AND AIRY WHILE THE CUSTOM STAINED WHITE OAK FLOORING PROVIDES THE PERFECT CONTRAST

From the kitchen you can look across the dining table and into the family room. The focal point of this room is the marble fireplace with custom built-ins and floating glass shelves in front of the two side windows. Custom remotecontrolled blinds allow for privacy. A coffered ceiling with custom plaster mouldings layers in ceiling detail and an orderly arranged family photo wall customized by the client looks spectacular. ▹

In the office, Parkyn Design used a stunning combination of two contrasting finishes for the custom built-ins and furniture piece. They installed a cubist modern light fixture positioned above the desk and a textured rug to bring warmth and comfort.

With so many personalized touches, The Happy Home is now settled with happy clients.

PARKYN DESIGN is a full scope interior design and decorating studio. Located in Oakville, they have worked internationally and locally on many beautiful and memorable homes. We are inspired by clients and driven by passion. ◆

The spacious and functional laundry room, which adjoins the mudroom, is fresh and bright. It includes custom cabinetry, a quartz countertop and decorative backsplash tile.

THE EMBROIDERED FABRIC ROMAN BLIND ADDS A LOVELY DECORATIVE DETAIL TO

THE SPACE.

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