Creating a “serene, calm and peaceful space” was the inspiration for this stunning home. Originally from Toronto, Kayla studied, worked and traveled all over the world before moving back 3 years ago. Kayla spent over a year looking for the perfect house before finding this East end gem. The natural light in the house and green surroundings outside it made her fall in love with the space.
The former owner was an interior designer so lucky Kayla benefited from high-end materials and built-ins that came with the home. Kayla followed and improved on the former owner’s furniture layout and design ideas. At just over 2,000 square feet, the house has more than enough room to stay clean and feel zen while showcasing Kayla’s favorite collectibles.
Kayla chose a monochromatic color scheme to create a serene space. She kept the walls white and the decor neutral with grey upholstery and natural wood furniture. The design serves to highlight Kayla’s eclectic souvenirs and artwork. Her travel treasures were brought back from countries including Japan, Sri Lanka, India, France, and Bhutan.
What Kayla loves most about her Toronto home is “how peaceful it is in the middle of the city.” Since moving back to Toronto, Kayla has spent time getting reacquainted with the city and its surrounding area. She’s enjoying discovering new accessories and artwork from shops around the city. Kayla is happy to be living near family and childhood friends. Her carefully curated home is the result of a world traveler falling back in love with her home town.
It’s an honor for some of my artwork to hang in this beautiful home. I hope you enjoy this tour of an art collector’s tasteful home.
— All Photographs by Rachael Grad
Kayla wanted a cozy, neutral living room. The couches, ottoman and coffee table were custom made to fit the long narrow room. Kayla found the pink and grey throw during a trip to Prince Edward County, Ontario. She’s working on the perfect art for this room
An avid tea drinker, Kayla keeps a trivet for teapots on each table in her house. The glass lanterns and wolfard oil lamps are from Candle Emporium.
Kayla brought the end table with mosaic from Agra, India. It was made by the people whose ancestors made the Taj Mahal and who now restore it.
The house came with the sliding wood ladder and floor to ceiling built-in cabinets. The walnut Hiroshima armchairs and Malta dining table both are designed by Naoto Fukasawa from local store Mjolk. The light fixture is from Sescolite.
The open shelves serve as the perfect display for Kayla’s glasses and ceramic bowls.
Kayla included a seating area in the master bedroom. Two art prints rest on the non-working fireplace. One was picked up at the Rodin Museum in Paris (it shows a sculpture in the artist’s studio). The other is a Cristian Marclay print. The crystal candlesticks were gifts.
The guest room is mostly used by Kayla’s young nephew and nieces so Kayla added some colorful accents. The bright quilt and playful chandelier make the space fun for its frequent visitors. The shelves, baskets and toys are from IKEA and the bed is from EQ3. The two framed artworks were a gift from Kayla’s mother.
Kayla found the two masks while working in Sri Lanka. The blue one is a peacock. In Sri Lanka, people put them over their front door for protection. The other one is a medicine mask, shown crushing disease.
Three of my colourful oil paintings hang in the hallway near the masks.
The attic is Kayla’s favorite spot to knit, relax and play her guitar. On a hiking trip in Bhutan she bought the Yak’s bell (hanging from the ceiling over the stairs) and pointed hat (on the top shelf) from a Yak herder.
Two art prints bought in Japan frame the attic window seat. The artwork on the left is made from different types of woods and is a traditional art form around Mt Fuji.