Toronto Townhouse Transformation: Luxury Living Through Thoughtful Design
For many homeowners, a builder-basic townhouse represents a temporary stepping stone, a place to reside until something larger, more distinctive, or more personalized becomes available. However, the owner of an uptown Toronto townhouse chose a different path entirely. Rather than seeking greener pastures elsewhere, she decided to stay put and reimagine her existing space for the long term.
Embracing Location and Lifestyle
"She loves the location and the benefits of maintenance-free condo living," explains designer Evelyn Eshun, who was entrusted with the transformation of the 1,300-square-foot, two-storey home located at Bayview and Sheppard. After eight years in the builder-finished residence, the single homeowner, who works from home and possesses a substantial wardrobe but very little original closet space, desired something more refined, functional, and deeply personal.
The design brief was clear and ambitious: create the feeling of a luxurious hotel suite, maximize storage capacity, maintain a timeless aesthetic, and utilize materials that would be easy to live with day in and day out. The existing space, while functional, lacked definite style or pizzazz, presenting a blank canvas for Eshun's vision.
A Philosophy of Quiet Luxury
Given the modest square footage, Eshun's approach was intentionally restrained and thoughtful. "I believe in quiet expression when it comes to interiors," she states. "I like to whisper luxury and comfort through materials, shapes, and textures. That's what makes a space feel timeless and soothing to move within."
This philosophy is immediately apparent upon entering the home. The eye is drawn directly through to the kitchen, positioned as a central sightline, with the sitting area unfolding gracefully to the left. Millwork and cabinetry are finished in tones that closely echo the light wood herringbone flooring, establishing a seamless visual flow from one zone to the next.
Strategic Design for Spatial Expansion
The effect is subtle yet palpable: the boundaries between spaces blur, making the main floor, approximately 600 square feet, feel significantly more expansive than its actual dimensions. Walls, trim, and ceilings are uniformly painted in Benjamin Moore's Soft Chamois (OC-19), creating a warm, continuous backdrop that enhances the custom millwork and textural finishes throughout the home.
Eshun leaned heavily on proportion and continuity rather than overt decorative gestures. Doorways are panelled all the way to the ceiling, accentuating the nine-foot height. Stippled ceilings were removed in favor of smooth finishes that align with the minimalist design language. Much of the cabinetry is handle-free, eliminating visual clutter; where hardware does appear, it is bold and deliberately chosen.
The Kitchen as Anchor and Showpiece
The kitchen serves as both a functional anchor and a design showpiece. Here, the designer navigated the familiar constraints of condo living: concrete floors, walls, and ceilings that limit the relocation of plumbing and electrical systems. Rather than fighting these restrictions, Eshun worked creatively within them, disguising necessary elements and layering in storage wherever possible.
A generously sized island stretches the length of the space, with its rounded end clad in ribbed white oak—a deliberate detail that adds softness and sculptural interest while improving circulation in the narrow footprint. The range hood conceals hidden cabinetry above, while the unavoidable vent stack is clad to disappear seamlessly into the surrounding millwork.
"Small shifts in proportion and detail can completely change how a space feels," Eshun notes. "It's about harmony, not decoration." This meticulous attention to detail, combined with a commitment to timeless materials and strategic spatial planning, has transformed a basic townhouse into a personalized sanctuary that proves luxury is not about size, but about thoughtful, intentional design.
