Home of the Week, 204 Balmoral Ave., Toronto.
THE LISTING
204 BALMORAL AVE., TORONTO
ASKING PRICE: $4.998-million
TAXES: $30,000 (2011)
AGENTS: Elise Kalles and Kathie Wood (Harvey Kalles Real Estate Ltd.)
THE BACK STORY
The Georgian-style house at 204 Balmoral Ave. was full of antiquated wiring, creaky floors and dark wood when the current homeowners (who asked that their names not be used) took over a few years ago. The house had been in the same family for decades and little had changed.
"Families tend to stay here a long time," says the owner, referring to the South Hill neighbourhood, which lies just south of St. Clair Avenue and west of Avenue Road.
But when she walked into the five-bedroom house – reminiscent of an English country seat – on a bright winter's day, she knew that she wanted to live there.
She and her husband undertook an extensive refurbishment. They renovated the kitchen, breakfast and family room area and created a walk-out to the garden. Partway through the renovation, they brought in designer Anne Hepfer to plan the furniture lay-out and decorate the interior.
THE HOUSE TODAY
"It was a typical old house," says the homeowner. "It had no closets."
The few that it did have were small and impractical. So one large facet of the renovation was to boost the storage space throughout the house.
The house now has a traditionally-styled white kitchen with a centre island and marble countertops. A curving banquette was built in to create a breakfast area. The adjoining family room has a gas fireplace, a built-in desk and bookshelves.
The panelled wood in the light-filled dining room was painted white, as was the unpainted wood trim through the rest of the house.
"We've had some great, great dinners in here," says the owner of the dining room.
The large living room with leaded glass windows provides an alcove for the grand piano.
Upstairs, the owners created a luxurious master suite with a large walk-in closet. The ensuite bathroom has a heated marble tile floor, a soaker tub, glass-enclosed steam shower with bench and floor-to-ceiling built-in shelves.
On the third floor, the owners have created a secluded home office with a comfortable den next to it. But when guests arrive, they often can take over the entire floor, which also has a bathroom and two bedrooms.
THE BEST FEATURE
A spacious porch just off the living room brings to mind languid summer days sitting with a pitcher of lemonade.
"The verandah is a big bonus of the house," the owner says. "That's where we usually congregate if we have friends over."
It overlooks the garden and a diminutive playhouse where the owner's young daughter plays.
The surrounding lawns and gardens are part of the double lot, which measures 109.9 by 134.9 feet.
Carolyn Ireland