An Elegant Edwardian Home Is Treated to a Thoughtful Revamp
Tucked away in Toronto’s Annex neighborhood, the Madrigal House has been beautifully reimagined for a family of five by Paul Raff Studio. A deliberate homage to the 19th century, the architects have renovated the home with a "sensitive and revisionist" approach to retain the property's gracious Edwardian proportions, while seamlessly integrating modern touches throughout. "Our objective was to go beyond the conventional approach of juxtaposing modern architecture with a historic structure," the team explains.
Newly commissioned stained glass adorns the music room and staircase, while thick, curved banisters, crown moldings, and 10-inch beveled baseboards are modern touches of what would have been native to the home. The existing Jatoba floor underwent chemical treatment to help bring out more period-appropriate hues.
Here, more traditional details give way to contemporary design. Unadorned Anigre veneer millwork frames boldly articulated elements, such as the black lacquer espresso station and linear stainless-steel bar. The large island provides increased workspace, and the cabinets add extra storage without destroying the clean, contemporary lines. The flooring is Loire Limestone.
The dormers are clad in a modern zinc siding and jut out from a traditional pitched roof. Here, the Cenia Azul limestone façade feels restrained, yet still fits into the context of the more traditional neighborhood that surrounds it. The stone has been bush-hammered for a lighter finish and an almost suede-like texture, which complements the sleek dormers and custom mahogany windows and doors.
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Project Credits:
Architect of Record: Paul Raff Studio Architects / @paulraffstudio
Project Team: Paul Raff, Samantha Scroggie, Lynne Eichenberg Sean Solowski, Nathan Dykstra, Dina Sarhane
Interior Design: Paul Raff Studio Architects
Structural Engineers: Neumann Associates Limited
General Contractor: Arcademia Group Inc.
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