House 16 | Izen Architecture Inc.

The striking modern design of House 16 envelops the home in natural light and creates a strong visual connection to the beautifully landscaped backyard and golf course beyond, while intricate detailing throughout makes the spaces feel luxurious. A large, welcoming front door opens up to reveal a beautifully meandering white oak staircase. The new focal point slowly draws the eye up to the second floor, creating more vertical space and allowing a new skylight to fill the home with sunlight. A small reveal between the stairs and the wall hides a light source, giving the stairs a warm, subtle glow.  
 
 
Direct sightlines to the rear of the home and green space beyond were established by reconfiguring the original layout of the main floor, allowing the space to open up. Sweeping new windows throughout the ground floor boost natural light throughout. Large, warm white porcelain tiles softly reflect light around the space, while in-floor heating keeps it comfortable year-round. 
 
 
Izen Architecture reinforced an airy, spacious sensibility by swapping out traditional doors and frames for sleek black interior doors with flush black panels above, visually extending the doors up to the ceiling and creating the illusion of more height. Receded black baseboards through the home further enhance this effect.
 
 
Strong, clean lines and a neutral palette of black, white and pale wood tones are continued into the updated eat-in kitchen, more than double the size of the original. Sleek porcelain panels in white and pale grey on the walls add subtle sophistication, as does the built-in wall of custom flush cabinetry - created sustainably with a reconstituted elm veneer. Copper facing on the kitchen island brings additional brightness and warms the space, with small bursts of coppery warmth popping up on pulls and handles. A large wall of sliding doors at the rear of the kitchen lead to a spacious stone patio, extending the dining and entertaining space in the warmer months, and creating expansive backyard views year-round.
 
 
Warm copper tones extend to the exterior design, where a large Corten steel panel wrapped around the main door creates a striking, textural focal point that will slowly change shades with time. Floor-to-ceiling windows installed on either side of the home create a stunning front facade while soaking the home in natural light. 
 

Status: Completed 2021

Location: Toronto, ON

Size: 4,500 sf

Type: Single-Family Home, Renovation

Team: Inna Shalusky, Brenda Izen

Photography: Scott Norsworthy https://scottnorsworthy.com/