In Toronto’s residential Leslieville neighborhood, House Caroline has subtly shifted the uniform appearance of a row of 1850s Victorian houses with a new contemporary update. The historic home has been reimagined by Reign Architects, who took a once-partitioned, dim interior layout and opened it up into a light-filled sanctuary.
Inspired by a majestic backyard maple tree, the architects implemented a design that would elevate the home’s connection to nature, while celebrating its Victorian charm. On the ground floor the custom millwork is a highlight, seamlessly integrating a dining room banquette into the ornate bay window to accommodate the whole family. Elsewhere, a double-winder stair is an impressive feature, integrated into the floor plan to maximize the available space given the limited width and depth of the home. The open staircase enhances the spatial flow of the interior, while sweeping floor-to-ceiling windows on the ground level merge interior and exterior, offering a continuous connection to the inspiring maple tree that sits in the rear yard.
A south-facing skylight is aligned with the A-frame roof, ensuring abundant natural light streams into the home. A blend of historic elegance, modern design, and natural warmth, House Caroline is an innovative update on a classic.
Photography © Riley Snelling