Inside the Wolf House, designed by Barton Myers
Home of the Week, 51 Roxborough Dr., Toronto. Home of Lawrence and Mary Wolf. Now for sale with an asking price of $6.5-million.Colin Faulkner
Lawrence and Mary Wolf knew they were challenging convention when they commissioned a house of glass and steel. They didn’t know they would be living in an architectural landmark. The Wolf House, built on stilts facing a Rosedale ravine in 1974, has won many awards and international acclaim for architect Barton Myers.Colin Faulkner
Mr. Myers’s creation remains substantially the same, but the Wolfs have made some changes to the interior over the years. Because the house was built on stilts, the Wolfs were able to slide a glass box underneath to create a garden-level living room in 1983. A home office on the same level can be enclosed behind panels or opened up to views of the garden.Colin Faulkner
On the upper level, the kids’ area at the front of the house has been reconfigured to create a guest bedroom and a home office.Colin Faulkner
In 2008, New York-based Heather Faulding of Faulding Architecture was brought in to reconfigure the kitchen and redesign the glass living room. The original galley kitchen was inspired by Mr. Myers’s time in the navy, Ms. Wolf says. That vision translated into a very industrial look. Outside, the landscaping surrounding the inground swimming pool was designed by Walter Kehm to take advantage of the ravine and rolling terrain.Colin Faulkner
At the rear, the master bedroom was transformed by interior design firm Yabu Pushelberg. Warm wood furniture built-ins define the space. A new ensuite bathroom features dramatic gold leaf tiles and an oval freestanding tub with views of the ravine through floor-to-ceiling windows.Colin Faulkner
‘This is the most glorious dining room in all of Toronto,’ says Mr. Wolf.Colin Faulkner
The Wolfs feel very fortunate to live on the edge of a ravine. With his design, they say, Mr. Myers was almost able to incorporate the exterior into the interior. ‘We had this incredible lot. We wanted to take advantage of it.’Colin Faulkner