Living in a modern industrial loft in downtown Toronto had its drawbacks to Rosa Costanzo and Chris Martin. “The capability to mold and reestablish the loft was restricted,” Costanzo says, and they wanted something they could really put their hearts and design in to. So they ditched the loft and headed outside the downtown area, snatching up a 1930s foursquare-style brick home steps from Lake Ontario.

Original details like gum wood trimming, leaded glass windows and clear doorknobs wooed the couple, but the space needed a bit of sprucing up, which was just fine with them. They finally got to express themselves by overhauling the kitchen and toilet and adding their eclectic decorating sensibility through lighting fixtures and antiques which highlight the house’s unique beauty. “With this particular house, the opportunities are endless,” says Costanzo.

at a Glance
Who lives here: Rosa Costanzo and Chris Martin
Location: Mimico neighborhood of Toronto
Size: 1,500 square feet; 4 bedrooms, 1 bath
Year built: 1930

Jenn Hannotte / Hannotte Interiors

First gum trimming and high baseboards are observed in the main living area. Costanzo thinks the original owners probably passed on with a fireplace installed if the home has been built, though she hopes to bring one into the room in the future. For now a large rustic mirror occupies the space.

Chairs: The Hudson Bay; mirror, carpet: HomeSense; rear: classic; wall paint: Cloud White, Benjamin Moore

Jenn Hannotte / Hannotte Interiors

The charm of the diamond details from the leaded glass windows and the scalloped metal plates on the doors were a major draw for the couple. With this kind of traditional detailing, Costanzo has been attentive to choose complementary accessories, like this particular industrial lamp.

Sofa: The Chesterfield Shop; side table: St. Vincent de Paul Antiques; lamp: Morba; curtains: Bed, Bath & Beyond

Before Photo

BEFORE: Outdated floors and appliances and worn cabinets sat in a embarrassing kitchen layout.

Jenn Hannotte / Hannotte Interiors

AFTER: The couple gave the kitchen a head-to-toe overhaul with new cabinets, countertops, appliances and floors. Costanzo designed the all-white kitchen to complement the window’s unique gum wood trim.

Cabinets: Martha Stewart Collection, Home Depot; Adaptable: Fountain knob, Anthropologie; brings: Lee Valley; tiles: Leonardo ceramic stoneware, 12 by 24 inches, Deco Tiles; pendant lighting: Living Lighting; overall contractor: Bill Connelly; electrician: Costa Rallis

Jenn Hannotte / Hannotte Interiors

A radiator sat beneath this window originally. The couple removed it, opening up room for a huge apron sink. . In addition they added in-floor heating.

Apron sink: Elkay, Home Depot; countertop: Bianca Calcutta quartzite, Toronto Granite; marble backsplash: Allset Interiors

Jenn Hannotte / Hannotte Interiors

The dining room plays scale and juxtaposes modern and traditional pieces. The large Sputnik lighting fixture illuminates a traditional pedestal-base dining table; Costanzo distressed the base and painted it white. The cane seats were reupholstered. The cast iron glowing heaters on the left are original to the home.

Lighting: Elte; dining table: Habitat for Humanity ReStore; horse print: HomeSense

Jenn Hannotte / Hannotte Interiors

Costanzo’s preferred spot is this study. She took a little room that sits off the kitchen and converted it into an elegant area she can escape to at the conclusion of the day. The 18th-century étagère reaches into the ceiling and pairs beautifully with a deep-blue tufted classic couch. “We knew [the étagère] was a distinctive piece and the beginning point for the total design of the room. I really like the way the room doesn’t feel stuffy or traditional,” she says. The space is softened by the cowhide that is impartial.

French étagère: James Dy’s Antiques and Collectibles; couch: Goodwill; cowhide: HomeSense

Jenn Hannotte / Hannotte Interiors

The house’s only toilet was gutted and expanded. Elegant marble in a modern hexagon pattern freshens the room, even though a classic sink and an elegant mirror using a weathered timber frame pair well with the industrial sconces.

“When we remodeled the toilet, we’re cognizant of the fact that we needed to keep the high baseboards in the toilet to give continuity throughout the home,” says Costanzo. She searched a range of shops and found a close match at a regional Home Hardware store.

Sconces: Edison Caged Sconce, Restoration Hardware; mirror: Whitby, Restoration Hardware; sink: St. Thomas Creations Nouveau Console Lavatory, Home Depot

Before Photo

BEFORE: The previous toilet had an obsolete sink vanity and tiles.

Jenn Hannotte / Hannotte Interiors

AFTER: The positioning of the toilet was a challenge during the renovation. “Once we began to tear the walls down and see exactly what our constraints were, we needed to reconfigure the room to make it function,” Costanzo says. “We didn’t want to have the toilet to be in the main sight line once you walk in the bathroom, but moving ventilation would cost a fortune, so we needed to update our design plan.”

More: Where to Place the toilet

Toilet: Toto, Taps and Baths; paint, Sterling, Behr (upper half), Silver Sky, Behr (lower half)

Jenn Hannotte / Hannotte Interiors

In the main bedroom, Costanzo taken the soft cream and grey palette through and added a bit of drama with a oversized chandelier and tasteful dark curtains.

Rug: Pier 1 Imports; chandelier: Urban Barn

Jenn Hannotte / Hannotte Interiors

A guest bedroom is outfitted with an antique dresser and includes a tranquil white colour palette.

“My proudest real time moment was when we came back from a last-minute holiday, and the very first night of arriving home after staying in different hotels and B and Bs, I was drawn into a relaxing and warm atmosphere, which I am proud to say is my home,” says Costanzo.

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