Fulton House

Fulton House, Toronto

Having found a home in an ideal location near Leslieville in Toronto, Picnic Design’s clients were rapidly approaching the point where they would need a full renovation to accommodate the needs of, and create space for, their young but growing family.

The two-and-a-half-storey brick home needed simple changes, such as opening up the cramped rooms on the main and second floors, but was also in need of practical upgrades, including bringing the basement up to code to create a generous income-generating open concept 1 bedroom apartment.

Dramatic improvements are immediately noticeable upon walking through the ground floor, where open-plan living, dining and kitchen areas are visually defined by variously sized, built-in storage elements along the east wall. With the dividing walls removed, the space is open and bright, with subtle touches that add warmth, comfort, and create an interplay of soft light and shadow. Parting like curtains, a narrow set of teak slat wall panels signal the entrance from vestibule to living room without interrupting the flow of the space, creating playful shadow patterns on the white-washed walls and ceiling of the entryway.

A compact but inviting hearth, set into the exposed brick wall facing the entry, is flanked by two built-in floor-to-ceiling shelving and storage cabinets in light grey extending toward the dining area, and nestled into the front corner of the home. A main feature of the living room is an exceptionally long window seat that vanquishes the need for a large sofa and lounge chairs – one of several functional touches that optimize the interior.

The front vestibule houses a large closet opposite the front door, with open space above to allow natural light to filter through to the stairs on the opposite side. A raised landing directly behind the vestibule closet marks the turn at the bottom of the stairs to face the living area. The stairs are hugged on their outer edge by glass panels that make the area feel lighter and more luxurious.

The homeowners desired a kitchen as conceptually loose and inviting as possible, while maintaining a high level of practical functionality. A panel-ready fridge is set into dark matte grey laminate cabinetry installed on either side of the cooking area. These cabinets are dramatically contrasted by the organic look of smooth teak cabinet doors that form an angular arch over a concealed exhaust hood with electric cooktop and built-in oven beneath. A white marbled porcelain backsplash extends to the countertop in this area to create a dramatic focal point.

“We felt it was really important to offer deep contrasts in colour and materials to balance out the crisp lines and angles in a kitchen that would eventually become the focal point of the home.” – Eric Martin, Partner, Picnic Design

Breathing life into the kitchen is a socially inviting anchor in the form of an 8 x 3-foot island. Topped with matching white marbled porcelain, this feature acts as a focal point and gathering hub that seats up to four for breakfast or casual dining, while also providing functional counter space with a sink on the inside edge. Tucked discreetly into the island’s base is a dishwasher and additional storage.

A white-panelled wood-textured wall runs the full length of the kitchen along the west side, forming an ideal backdrop to the kitchen island for displaying framed artwork. These white panels conceal both a large pantry with pull-outs, and a powder room, accessed from the top of the stair landing through a concealed door.

The second floor is now configured for 3 bedrooms for the homeowners’ children, and makes room for a new laundry closet, and a full bathroom at the landing of the stairs.

A new extension of the third floor spans the full depth of the house, creating space for an open concept master bedroom and ensuite at the back of the house, and space for an office at the front. Extending off the back of this floor is an all-cedar balcony, finished at either end for privacy. A large overhang with a rectangular cutout maximises the amount of north-facing light entering the balcony sliding doors and adjacent window while offering modest shelter. A double-track sliding door provides the option to close off part of the bedroom from view of the stairwell and balcony doors opposite.

“We wanted to create spaces and apply finishes that are suitable for a family with young children, but that are elegant enough to remain relevant as those kids grow up.” – Eric Martin, Partner, Picnic Design

Tying the home’s interior together is the designers’ concept of open, light-filled, practical spaces infused with warm, neutral tones – white oak floors, soft white and sandy beige bathroom floor tiles and walls, matte grey for the vestibule floor and the full-length kitchen cabinets, rich tones in teakwood for the upper kitchen cabinets. These tonal shifts, coupled with key structural elements, serve to delineate space using the subtlest of borderlines, transforming a formerly unimaginative, overcrowded layout into a vibrantly dynamic family abode.

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