Buckle up and get ready to take a ride through this 1960 Ontario time capsule home, built by Toronto architect Gardiner Cowan. The home is brimming with natural materials — like douglas fir, mahogany, stone, grasscloth and tile — and an open and airy floor plan with lofty cathedral ceilings. The use of earthy materials and spaciousness of this home create a soothing effect similar to being out in nature itself.
From the property listing:
- Price: $1,999,999
- Year built: 1960
- Square footage: 5,914
- Bedrooms: 5
- Bathrooms: 3
Mid Century masterpiece completely preserved.
Circa 1960 by Toronto architect Gardiner Cowan complete with post and beam (douglas fir) architecture, cathedral ceilings, multiple split level, nanny/in-law suite with separate entrance, solid mahogany cabinetry and custom millwork throughout.
Architect had profound respect for special dynamics of the exceptional land on which it was built. The house draws in the lush outside, engaging all the senses via its windows, multiple levels, multiple fireplaces and its undeniable flower and the ‘ease of life’ you imagine your life to be, were it your own. Long sigh.
Unbelievably grand and yet undeniably inviting, comforting and welcoming. This house was made to entrain. The flow is among the most intelligently well planned, well thought out and functioning space.
You may never want to leave.
Can we talk about the awesome idea of continuing the grass cloth wallpaper onto the doors of the closets in this house? And how about all of that built in shelving?
There’s even hidden storage areas throughout the house — like this hidden china cabinet in the main wall of the dining room.
Midcentury realtor — and fan of Retro Renovation — Alex Brott also wrote poetically about the property on her blog:
Into Mid Century Design? You are about to have a religious experience.
Real Estate Porn watchers (you know who you are), I know it’s been slow this year. But what I have for you today, is no joke. I can’t even describe the effect this house has on some people. They walk through…silent…speechless…In a daze…Confused…And then on the drive home, they call me to ask if they dreamt it.
Oh no, Mi Amors. You are not dreaming.
This is a completely preserved, and remarkably maintained, Mid-Century extravaganza. Circa 1960, by Canadian architect Gardiner Cowan, all nearly 6,000 square feet of 31 Edenbrook Hill, would melt butter. Douglas Fir Post + Beam architecture, cathedral ceilings, multiple split level, nanny/in-law suite with separate entrance, solid mahogany cabinetry and custom millwork throughout. F-I-V-E bedrooms. Parking for a whole fleet of little deuce coupes (about 6 cars). The house was built with respect to natural land dynamics, and designed to catch the light in the morning, afternoon and evening. Remember light??
Then there is this bedroom — first of all, I love how the wallpaper doesn’t just cover the walls, but also the entire ceiling.
Next, the built-in desk and shelving is a fantastic use of space. And ohhhh do you see what I see?
A midcentury doll house! LOVE. The dollhouse looks like it might be home made. I’m going to put attempting to recreate this adorable house on my list of things to do — I must have one!
There are so many great natural textures going on in this house. They greet you as soon as you step into the entryway — natural stacked stone wall, grasscloth wallpaper, warm wood paneling, clay tile — and they all work together so nicely to create harmony throughout the home.
While most of the home’s decor is neutral — a surprising pop of lime green can be found in the lower level. The vivid green carpeting and matching seating area work to continue bringing the outdoors in — acting as an extension of the leafy green world outside.
And over in the game room — look at that wall of pinch pleats!
Being able to see floor plans of the time capsules we feature is an added bonus that really helps us get a feel for the way the house flows without stepping foot inside.
Mega thanks to reader Ryan for pointing us in the direction of this timelessly beautiful home.
Link love:
- Property listing website for 31 Edenbrook Hill
- Retro realtor Alex Brott
- Photos courtesy of Robert Holowka – Birdhousemedia.ca
Tips to view slide show: Click on first image… it will enlarge and you can also read my captions… click anywhere to move forward and look for previous and next buttons within photo to move back or forth… you can start or stop at any image:
SebastianFTL says
Ugh…as we search for our next condo/apartment to occupy for two years, before we buy something, I get so upset thinking about all the great mid-century homes torn down in Fort Lauderdale to build bland, blank pieces of nothing.
Jenny says
I get upset about it, too! All of Pam’s devoted followers should form some kind of consortium. The Consortium to Save Tomorrow’s Fabulous Historic Houses Today. Future generations will thank us!
Jay says
“religious experience” sums it up. Seeing the in-floor planter, loads of windows and all that wood has sent me soaring into the stratosphere. Nice way to end the week!
Robin, NV says
What an amazingly elegant yet inviting home. I’m imagining the lady of the house was the same – perfectly coifed hair, tailored clothing but she made the best cookies and threw great parties.
6,000 sq. ft. in 1960 is humungous! Heck, that’d be a huge house today.
Steve H says
I just noticed in the game room that the actual windows are fairly small, but the covered the whole wall with drapes – what a brilliant idea!
KDA says
Love, love, love it! I had never heard of a servery before this.
Chris says
The beam structure is similar to my house which was built in 1958. Unfortunately I am only at 1500 sq ft. It’s always neat seeing houses like this. Gives me idea’s for my own ongoing restoration/update.
pam kueber says
That’s the goal of showing these time capsules: To archive and show us all “how it was done”!
Chris says
It’s good to see that Bamboo wallpaper was used back then. I’ve been wanting to use this but was worried about having “too much new” contemporary in the house. Trying to get a balance between old and new.
pam kueber says
I have grasscloth wallpaper in my living room and love it! Grass cloth wallpaper TOTALLY and ABSOLUTELY historically authentic and appropriate. Grasscloth is undergoing a resurgence in popularity today — it’s a retro revival for sure!
I love it because it gives texture and depth without screaming. Not that I mind screaming — I have plenty of decorative wallpaper in my house as well.
Chris says
Now these pictures have me thinking about re staining the beams in my house. (It’s a sickness I tell you) Has anyone ever done this? I believe that the old stain has dried enough over the years to just easily sand off with little effort. I was able to scratch some off with a finger nail once when I was painting the kitchen cabinets. Is there any danger is sanding off old stain? I don’t believe it is like lead paint. Or should I just re stain over them and avoid the sanding.
pam kueber says
Precautionary Pam replies: Consult with a properly licensed professional to assess what you have so that you can make informed decisions.
Susan G. says
Pam, you mention on the “main” page of this e-mail that this time capsule reminds you that you have to write about grass cloth wallpaper. Uh…..will that be coming anytime soon? By the time I’m finished my early 60s-ish kitchen retro re-do (6 months or so), I’ll be heading into the den / dining room, where I’ve already decided I’ll go with grass cloth. Any tips, warnings, things to consider, etc. etc. would be greatly appreciated. Gee, I don’t mean to sound so needy or bossy, it’s just that I don’t know if you realize how much this site has become the absolute, first-to-check, go-to resource for so many of us mid-century “re-doers” out here. We really depend upon you and Kate!
pam kueber says
Hi Susan
I don’t know how fast I’ll get to this. I am not that organized (ask Kate). Meanwhile, here is what I have written so far: https://retrorenovation.com/2011/11/09/preventing-grasscloth-wallpaper-and-hardwood-floor-tan-lines/
As I mention in that story, I bought Seabrook grasscloth — I recall that the price was not *too bad*. I had a professional hang it. I still like it, more than several years later. It has yellowed. But that is okay with me.
Steve H says
My goodness, so much to love here! I especially like the kitchen cabinets, which are just beautiful, and the sun porch. Those look like Marimekko curtains on the lower level. This house looks like it was made for entertaining. I can just imagine the fabulous 60’s dinner parties that took place here. The dollhouse is wonderful. I agree it looks handmade, although the style reminds me a lot of Lundby houses.
Carrie says
Wow. I am in love! All of the windows, and neutral colors. The outdoors in feeling is fantastic!
lynda says
This is a lovely home. I too love the dollhouse. I know you could make that, Kate. Finding mid century dollhouse furniture might be challenging! If you find the furniture, I bet it would not be cheap.
You might have to add making miniature furniture to your resume!
Kate says
I already have some mini midcentury dollhouse furniture! It is sitting on the ranch house shelves that I made: http://retroranchrevamp.com/2011/09/10/mini-ranch-house-shelves/ I bet I could make the rest of the furniture I need though. 🙂 I love doing stuff like that.
pam kueber says
haha, i am sure i can find some in my
collectionhoard to help!lynda says
Cute shelves and adorable furniture! Where did you find the furniture?
Laurie Louise says
Kate, you just amaze me!
tammyCA says
Yes Kate, please build a sweet Mid-Century dollhouse. I have a Lundby dollhouse with that same shape with the ’70s colors/decor (very Brady Bunch). Also, check out the scrapbook papers at Michael’s…they have woven paper that can pass for grasscloth wallpaper. 🙂
tammyCA says
Oh, and Michael’s sells a huge pack of cork paper in the scrapbook section…easy dollhouse flooring!
Jodie Davis says
YOWSER! Absolutely love what the real estate agent wrote.
I sure hope whoever buys it leaves it as-is. Since buying my butterfly roof house 4 years ago I have met quite a few people who had looked to buy it before I snagged it. Each and every one wanted to do things to dramatically alter it. Like tear out the translucent screens between rooms. (I haven’t seen any like the ones I have on Retro Renovation.) The original owners are extremely thankful I renovated only. I keep telling them they built the house for me 😉
TammyCA have you seen the Lundby site? The stop motion videos of the dollhouses are a riot!
Jodie
pam kueber says
So great this house made its way to you! Congrats, and thanks for appreciating its original features!
mike and Lindsey says
WOW
Love the layers of everything.
Could not be more spectacular. Grand but with a homey feel at the same time