City Homes
August 8, 2023
Olivia Botrie Reinvigorates A Century Home In Toronto For Her Family
Last year, Olivia Botrie and her husband, Tim Dawson, spontaneously purchased a house. The deal, as breezy as buying a latte, was sealed within 24 hours. “I’m a fast mover,” says Olivia, principal designer of Toronto’s Dart Studio. She and Tim, a video editor and producer, weren’t exactly shopping for new digs. “We knew we had to make a move because our little guy was sleeping in a glorified closet,” says Olivia, with a laugh.
The couple’s new, semidetached brick house is on the same street as their old one in a desirable west end pocket — Olivia just couldn’t resist the For Sale sign. When she first saw the house, she was immediately smitten. Buying it would mean that their daughter, Louisa, wouldn’t have to switch schools (bonus!), son Toby would have a larger bedroom and moving would be a cinch (almost). First, the family relocated to a rental while Olivia, with the help of Cornerbrook Construction, worked her magic to transform the house into a dreamy dwelling that was polished but retained its century-old charm. “I like it when houses are updated but look original and feel historical,” says Olivia of the six-month-long renovation. “The character was there, including all the original trim and moulding, and we liked the configuration — it had two fireplaces!”
At 2,100 square feet, it was larger than their old place. The rear addition, double-car garage, full-height basement, three bedrooms and a third floor meant the family could stretch out. Plus, the couple could save money since most of the pricey bits were already done. But the explosion of lacklustre finishes had to go. “The same family had lived here forever and the top two floors were apartments,” says Olivia. “My son’s room used to be a kitchen.” There was also a wall running the length of the main floor that was demolished, creating a hallway.
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Making the house beautiful — the best part of every redesign — was next. “As you do this job longer, you get more bold, risky and adventurous,” says Olivia, who’s been a successful designer for nearly 18 years. Olivia created a cheery foyer with patterned wallpaper and heated checkered floors.
Because her former home had a more neutral palette, she decided to shake things up in this one. “I have this thing about my kids growing up with memories of patterns and color,” says Olivia. “I want them to remember the wallpaper in the powder room.” To that end, blues, pinks and printed wallpaper energize rooms while deep wood tones, molding and panelling reinforce the home’s vintage.
The standout is the English-style kitchen, a tea-sipping, pie-making charmer, where Shaker-style doors and historical green cabinets were inspired by Britain’s deVOL Kitchens. “I fixated on that khaki green early on,” says Olivia, referring to Farrow & Ball’s Treron hue. “I love the look of it with the medium brown floors and the brass.” Her overall design goal was to create a kitchen that felt lived in and warm. “Like it had been here forever,” she says.
Perfection takes time, and Olivia notes that she created several versions of the layout for the kitchen. “I’m typically against an island with a sink, but this layout offered the most storage,” she says. “I had to get my husband to agree to never pile dishes on it — part of why I don’t usually like an island sink.”
Cooking utensils are charmingly at the ready on the range wall. “I love the rail; it’s very useful,” says Olivia, who likes the ease of grabbing implements while making meals.
Sentimental accessories liven up the ledge at the coffee and toast station; the silver bunny molds were Olivia’s grandfather’s. “He was a chocolatemaker who moved here from Lebanon and had a chocolate shop on Gerrard,” says Olivia. The playful sketch of the family is modelled after characters in Maurice Sendak’s children’s book, Where the Wild Things Are.
The existing pocket doors in the dining room were elevated with a warm taupe. “My long-term plan is to build a banquette in that window,” says Olivia.
All of the moldings in the dining room and living room are original.
Olivia converted the coal fireplace to gas and had the mantelpiece rebuilt out of poured limestone. “I love the curve,” she says. “I use the fireplace all the time — it’s on eight months of the year.”
Slanted walls wrapped in Schumacher wallpaper bring interest and elegance to the principal bedroom.
Blue reappears throughout the house, including the vibrant principal ensuite.
Louisa wanted a red room, to which Olivia joked: “This is not a brothel.” The mom-daughter duo settled on a happy-making combo of blue and red.
A recessed Ikea Pax wardrobe feels custom in Toby’s room: it’s finished with molding and sprayed to match the walls. “It looks like an old English wardrobe,” says Olivia.
A skylight brightens the mudroom, and heated herringbone floors ensure the area stays dry.
Like a little surprise, the mudroom cabinet opens to reveal a corkboard, drawers and drop-off zone for mail and keys.
Today, the house has proven to be the perfect switch-up: it’s cosy, colorful and big enough for the whole family. One thing’s for sure: it’s always smart to pop in to an open house — you never know what gem awaits. “Paint is the least expensive way to add color and is simple to change if you come to dislike it. Design your home for yourself, not potential future owners”, says Olivia pictured with her husband Tim Dawson.
Niamh Barry
Olivia Botrie