“It had five different types of carpet, a kitchen in one of the upstairs bedrooms, the dining room had been drywalled into a bedroom, creaky floors, a clanky furnace, a kitchen from the 1950s, and both yards were full of weeds. I knew it was the one for me when I stepped inside!”
That doesn’t sound like most people’s cup of tea, but artist and instructor Holly Wheatcroft was ecstatic when she found this 1920s-era home to share with her two daughters. Although it wasn’t much to look at, the right bones made this 1,500-square-foot charmer perfect for her family. “We are two blocks away from a fabulous school with an attached community center, ice rink and soccer fields. The neighborhood is very special,” Holly says of their community in Toronto, Ontario.
The renovation process proved to be quite time-consuming with walls and fireplaces coming down, new floors being installed and painting galore, happening all over the 3-bedroom home. Holly’s uncle even moved in to help with the project. The garage was flipped into an art studio for Holly while the kitchen was totally gutted in order to open it up to the living and dining area. “I wanted to have a space on the first floor where everyone could be doing their own thing, but still be close by… that sense of being connected without having to be in the same room,” Holly explains. One night while cooking dinner she realized she had achieved just that. While stirring away at the kitchen stove she laid eyes on her two daughters, both in different rooms lost in tasks, but still so near. The revelation brought her to tears.
That’s what I love most about Holly’s home. It’s built on love and the desire to be close to the ones she cares for most. Living 1,000 miles away from my family, I am not too proud to admit that I am a bit envious of Holly’s setup. To have those you adore so accessible and close enough to hug on a whim is something to be cherished. With a pretty plant wall, color in excess and a one-of-a-kind rug, this home is not only a fantastic testament to family, but so joyful as well. Enjoy! —Garrett
Photography by Valerie Wilcox
via Design*Sponge http://ift.tt/1Lo3cLV From Garrett Fleming
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