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.
- 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:
Richard says
Amazing! Designed for entertaining. I love it!!
Elizabeth Mary says
Oh my, that is amazing and so beautiful. How wonderful it is in such pristine shape. Hopefully, whoever buys it will appreciate it and leave it alone.
Did anyone else notice that the built-in china cupboard in the dining room is also a pass-through for the kitchen? How cool!!
Elizabeth Nyland
Randerson says
What an incredibly tasteful and well preserved representative of MCM residential architecture! The only thing better would be if the original appliances were still in place – wonder what they were?
Rob c says
Anyone know what make / model the coffee table is in picture 26? I love it!
tammyCA says
Stunning design…and, beautifully connected with Mother Nature.
Laurie Louise says
I find myself breathing deeper just looking at the pictures. Stunning house.
Karin Jeffrey says
Yay! Shout out from Tronna, aka the T. Dot, aka Hogtown. Thanks, Pam and Kate. Finally, I get to see an exquisite midcentury from my home town. I knew it was out there, and it was worth the wait. There’s a lot to love here. My husband glanced at the pictures before he saw the price and said, “Well, that’s going for a least a million”. Actually, the listing is probably just the starting price. There’s often a fierce bidding war, and the final price may well be 3 million. The market here in Toronto is crazy red hot. A modest 1000 sq. ft. 1950s 3 bedroom bungalow, such as the one my late mother owned, is listing at $580, 000 CDN. I often look at those huge Texas midcentury homes listing at bargain prices and just shake my head and sigh. If I ever win the lottery, this is what I’d buy.
paul mezhir says
My partner and I own a home in Leaside, Toronto….during the past seven years we’ve seen neighborhood values go from $600 to $800 to a million to more than a million and a quarter. Most of the homes (including 700 and 800 square foot bungaloes) in our neighborhood sell for more than a million and they are often torn down for new builds. This house is a steal for Toronto, although I have to say that it is rather unfortunate that it is located in Etobicoke (not my favorite area) and will probably be a tear-town, considering that the lot it is on is absolutely spectacular.
pam kueber says
ugh
Michael says
Now THIS is smart design. Devoid of weird angles and elements which jut out for the sake of style so common in mid century modern architecture, this home’s spaces are well imagined and accomplished. Timeless, this. Simply beautiful.
heidi says
I am speechless!
Heidi Swank says
DIED AND WENT TO HEAVEN. WOW!