Interior designer Cynthia Ferguson calls Rosedale her favorite neighborhood in all of Toronto, and it’s easy to see why. “I firmly believe in retaining the original homes planned when Toronto was built, and Rosedale has done a fabulous job of maintaining the neighborhood by creating a historical society in 2003,” she tells us. “The green tree-lined streets are romantic, and the homes are stately and intentional.  I love the Georgian revival architecture and red brick homes on the windy streets.”

For this project, Cynthia remained deeply attuned to the home’s architectural roots while tailoring it to suit a young family’s modern lifestyle. “My clients are a hard-working couple in their 40s who are raising their two daughters in their ‘new to them’ home,” Cynthia says. “They decided to move closer to the girls’ school and buy their ‘forever’ home but wanted a project so when they purchased the home, it had not been touched for countless decades.”

At their first meeting, the conversation immediately went to preservation. “The idea was not to erase the details and architecture of the interiors, it was to restore what had been lost, save what was still existing and bring her back to her former glory,” the designer notes. “The home had to feel as if it had always been the way we designed it. They were very clear: it was not to feel renovated inside once we were done. We were to create a 3rd floor suite for the girls—a dream for any pair of sisters—and ensure the 2nd floor layout had flexibility for both of my clients to work from home if they so choose. We were also to keep the house in the original footprint on the lot—no additions!”

What followed was a comprehensive renovation, from basement to attic. Mechanical systems were modernized, including heating, cooling, and electrical. “The clients understood that doing it right meant addressing the ‘working’ parts of the house, just as much as selecting the wallpaper,” Cynthia recalls. “We also addressed the exterior and removed all the paint on the brick to bring the house back to her intended glory, rebuilt a portico that was long lost, and re-shingled the 3rd floor.”

The interior style is what Cynthia calls Victorian-meets-mid-century. “In reusing the vast majority of my client’s furniture, it was more about focusing on the architectural details of the home, which are more Victorian and creating an envelope to decorate with a little more modernity,” she shares. “My clients are very well travelled and obsessed with art and design.  They were a joy to collaborate with as we gutted the house and put her back together as a result!”

Looking at the images of the home is deeply memorable for Cynthia. “I remember the discussions, the wins, the various versions and points where we got stuck,” she recalls. “Every inch of the house was contemplated, discussed, and then discussed some more.  Never once due to indecision, always in terms of, have we done enough or could we add one more element? Honestly, it was a love affair with a home, brick by brick, decision by decision. I adored working with my clients. It was an honor to help them create their forever home.”

Cynthia walks us through the space, sharing favorite details, in the slideshow.