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• 15 Laurier Ave.
• What: A designated heritage home in Cabbagetown professionally renovated to create modern interiors.
• Living space: 1,880 square feet
• Lot size: 15 by 74 feet
• Asking price: $849,000
• Taxes: $4,191 (2008)
• Agents: Donna and Nick Thompson, Harvey Kalles Real Estate Ltd.
• Amenities: This three-storey townhouse contains three bedrooms, three bathrooms and three walkouts to outdoor spaces, plus a finished lower level.

The main floor is open-concept, with living and dining areas opening out to the kitchen, which contains built-in, stainless-steel appliances, a breakfast table and custom cabinetry, in addition to custom glass French doors that open to a landscaped terrace bound by fencing.

On the second floor, there are two bedrooms — including one with a front balcony — and the main bathroom.

The third floor master retreat features a vaulted ceiling, built-in closets and an ensuite bathroom. Sliding doors open to a secluded wood deck with glass railings.

The basement recreation room is an open space with built-in desks, a media unit and powder room.

Street permit parking is available.

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Connie Braemer of Connie Braemer Design has transformed many private residences during more than 25 years in the business, including a few places in Cabbagetown, which has one of the largest collections of Victorian homes in North America.

But the interiors of this three-storey Victorian — situated within a row of designated heritage homes on a quiet cul-de-sac near Wellesley Avenue and Parliament Street — were so dark the designer doubted that anything could be done.

"When I first walked in, I honestly didn't think I could help this house," Ms. Braemer says. "It was really depressing and dreary with no life to it."

But she decided that the main-floor kitchen and principal rooms could be opened up, and the ceilings raised. She introduced a predominantly light colour palette and added halogen pot lights above the oak hardwood floors. Custom-built, nine-foot glass doors at the rear of the kitchen lead to a terrace, and let in plenty of natural light.

"It's unexpected to walk into a heritage home built in 1874 and find such a spacious, light-filled, timeless, classic contemporary design," says Nick Thompson, who is the listing agent along with his wife, Donna.

"Many renovations today seem to lack vision and imagination," Ms. Thompson adds. "[But] this is what buyers are looking for; there really is nothing left to do except move in."

The owners, who prefer to remain anonymous, were so pleased by the improvements to the main floor that they decided to fix the rest of the house.

"I knew my style was much more contemporary and modern ... and I was always very concerned how we would be able to achieve that in our very old home," says one owner. "As soon as [Ms. Braemer] came in, she had a vision and I trusted her the whole way through."

For instance, they easily agreed on a Carrera marble backsplash, countertops and breakfast table/bar in the kitchen, as well as high-gloss, floor-to-ceiling cabinets. The latter were designed by Ms. Braemer and constructed by Altima Kitchens.

But the real conversation piece in the kitchen is the custom glass and stainless-steel cabinetry in the kitchen. It's the only thing the owners and Ms. Braemer initially disagreed on.

The owners wanted them to have a white or walnut finish. "I said, 'No, do the stainless steel — it will add sparkle and add uniqueness to the space," the designer recalls.

"It's the only thing people seem to notice when they walk into the kitchen," the owner says. "It's a showstopper."

Also designed by Ms. Braemer and constructed by Altima Kitchens are a floor-to-ceiling closet as well as an additional storage cabinet, both near the front entrance and constructed of walnut.

"[The walnut closet and cabinet are] perfectly functional, but at the same time, lovely to look at," the owner says. "And they tie into some of the walnut work we have at the bar area, the living room and in the basement."

The central dining area is defined with Ms. Braemer's signature wall panels. "I like that panel design because of the shape," she says. "It's recessed and very square, so it's panelling that's a little more contemporary."

After the main floor was finished, the owners asked Ms. Braemer to create an entertaining space for adults in the basement.

She continued the square panelling used in the principal room on the lower level, and installed square LED accent lights to illuminate the staircase, which has open handrails and pickets.

The open recreation room features pot lights; a custom, built-in entertainment unit; and hardwood flooring, which is uncommon in most basements, Donna Thompson says.

A sliding barn-type door made of walnut attractively hides the furnace room, the agent adds.

"After we did such a big change in the basement and main floor, all of a sudden the second and third floors were totally inconsistent and didn't flow at all with the rest of the house," the owner explains.

So a friend was recruited to remodel the upper floors following the look and feel of the rooms below.

New oak banisters and spindles were added, and the main bathroom was finished with wainscotting, black and white tiled floors, a glass enclosed shower stall and a classic claw-foot tub.

On the top level, an open loft is used as a master suite with a vaulted ceiling, built-in closets and a bathroom complete with a shower stall with tile finishes and Carerra marble accents. The loft has a private deck with glass railings.

"The glass element is great as it allows for a nice view of a beautiful old tree that grows up from our next door neighbour's backyard," the owner says.

"The tree … also provides some shade to our deck, which makes it a very pleasant place to hang out. Like many properties in Cabbagetown, you feel like you're in the country instead of practically right downtown."

Though the owners have had only four months to enjoy the results of nearly two years of work, they will take some of their favourite elements to a new, larger residence just beyond the downtown area.

"We have already talked to Connie and we want the same kitchen," the owner says.

Special to The Globe and Mail