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‘We wanted a project,” says David McCormick of the Islington Village home he shares with his partner, Wayne Phillips, “and when we came across this place, it really spoke to us.” It spoke so loudly that after the deal closed in early 2005 the pair negotiated extra site visits so tape-measure-wielding, award-winning architect Terence Van Elslander (of Van Elslander Carter Architects Inc.) could get inside to plan.Richard K.C. Ling

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The home sits on a gently curving corner lot – facing the middle of the curve rather than over to one side – and has the novelty of four yards instead of three.Richard K.C. Ling

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Because the two neighbouring homes lock rigidly to the street grid, privacy was plentiful: “When you drive into the driveway,” says Mr. Phillips, “you’re sort of cocooned and enclosed.”Richard K.C. Ling

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Outside is all new for 2012, with extensive landscaping, a black limestone driveway and serpentine paths. Four distinct areas with different light levels – including one with a towering old walnut tree – means thousands were spent on hostas, monkey grass, lilies, bamboo, magnolias, Japanese maples, tulip trees, and nine redbud trees that will burst into a “pink cloud” come spring. “I pushed the boundaries on plants,” says the green-thumbed Mr. Phillips.Richard K.C. Ling

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Mr. Van Elslander was given free rein to design the interior says Mr. Phillips, since “we didn’t want to influence his design. “We just wanted him to develop it, and we wanted to get a surprise and say, ‘My God, that looks fantastic,’ and that’s exactly what happened.”Richard K.C. Ling

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Save for some walls, the foundation and a few basement spaces, the original 2,000-square-foot home is brand new beyond the studs. Mr. Van Elslander, a Modernist who studied at Michigan’s famous Cranbrook Academy of Art, also grafted a 1,300-square-foot family room addition onto the south wall (with new master bedroom above) and invited backyard greenery inside via floor-to-ceiling windows.Richard K.C. Ling

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The kitchen is outfitted with Bosch appliances – some clad in zebrawood like the cabinets – and a unique flush-mount Faber ventilation system.Richard K.C. Ling

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From the foyer, the eye travels through the long dining room – there’s even a ‘window’ cut into the large shelving unit holding the couple’s Incan pottery collection – past the kitchen and to the end of the quirky lot. “I’m really interested in seeing through the building … trying to get diagonal views is important,” said Mr. Van Elslander.Richard K.C. Ling

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New Loewen windows framed in Douglas fir are beautifully detailedRichard K.C. Ling

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There are architectural flourishes, such as crisp and creamy floating ceilings and areas that have been reinforced to support heavy artwork.Richard K.C. Ling

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Underfoot is unstained ipe (a.k.a. ironwood), chosen because the couple prefers material “in its natural state.” Found throughout most of the home, the ipe travels outside: The massive, custom-made front door and a small section of exterior wall allow Mr. Van Elslander to present the “palette of the house” upon arrival.Richard K.C. Ling/The Globe and Mail

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Richard K.C. Ling

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Richard K.C. Ling

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Up the stairs and through massive pivot doors, the master bedroom is dominated by a black headboard wall that screens the en suite with its programmable shower (Mr. McCormick jokes it’s “the reason you get up in the morning”) and the walk-through closet.Richard K.C. Ling

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