How To Turn A Long, Narrow Home Into An Entertaining Haven

Designer Nicholas Ancerl is known for creating sleek two-storey spaces, so when he was tasked with designing a home in downtown Toronto that couldn’t accommodate a double-height ceiling, he got creative. Underpinning the basement allowed him to create a sunken living space off the foyer to gain more height in the kitchen and main living areas. Wood beams, oversized pendants and tall Arabascato marble slabs emphasize the 12-foot high ceilings. An open-flame black marble fireplace is backed by dramatic floor-to-ceiling industrial-style windows in the back of the house. See how natural materials, hidden rooms and exquisite details make this narrow Toronto home feel spacious and airy.
Designed by: Nicholas Ancerl, Robert Miguel
Styled by: Suzanne Tran, Kimberly Czornodolskyj, Maitha Alkhulaqi
Thumbnail Photography: Maitha Alkhulaqi
SOURCES
FURNITURE:
CB2, WAYFAIR, LDSHOPPE, CRATE AND BARREL, SUNDAYS COMPANY, ELTE MKT
ART:
LDSHOPPE, MIDNIGHT STATION, BLADY VANMIL ART, ELTE MKT
HARDWARE:
RESTORATION HARDWARE, ETSY
WALL PANELLING:
DECO TEC INC.
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[@Angie_P]

This is absolutely stunning. Modern but at the same time classic. His comment about taking pride in his work; it really shows.

[@lisatague305]

The flow of this home is spectacular . Love all the finishes and the black windows are gorgeous .

[@AnnMarieKing]

The perfect intersect of modern and artisanal ... with sensible material choices and design tricks that wow while being livable and affordable.

[@estherjohn6899]

What a stunning space! The palette is gorgeous and serene ❤

[@bymilliebphotography8249]

This design was a masterclass. I had to watch the video three times because everything was just so perfect and gorgeous!

[@neens2cute]

Gorgeous. All aspects of this home felt warm and inviting. Great job!

[@rulu3345]

It is beautiful, with so many interesting textures and shapes, while staying cohesive and harmonious...

[@martinhare6085]

I'm not a designer or decorator but it provides a very balance look in terms of color and texture. It's very livable.

[@LondonPrettyNYCGirl]

Nicholas Ancerl is the real deal!!!!!!

[@deniselowry8582]

So beautiful.Airy bright and organic

[@markaralvin7919]

Hello Denise

[@Isham246]

What a beautiful design. I’ve really enjoyed watching it.

[@JaBlanche]

Well done! Loving the brick

[@elisabethh9656]

This is so beautiful! I really love the house and all the amazing details! Especially the bathroom ist stunning with the tiles and the high ceiling.

[@plw7930]

This is stunning.Great work!!

[@DeniseRoussel-ke5wy]

this home is so well thought out & beautiful

[@deborahunger4974]

It's been quite a while since I enjoyed these videos. But I love this one. Nicholas Ancerl had me at not changing the footprint. I have always maintained that not every reno requires a gut job, but it does require more skill and sensibilities. Well done, Nicholas!

[@fransirahome]

Cozy living room, love the white brick wall. The kitchen marble so beautiful. Lovely marble color combine with the cabinet.

[@pamelakilgore7836]

Very beautiful and warm

[@souziematsou2291]

Respect to this designer!! I am impressed!

[@michelfortier9563]

Very well done!

[@esguerr818]

One of my favorite designers!

[@avayu2289]

Excellent use of spaces. ❤

[@66circle78]

Absolutely gorgeous. Great use of the mix of materials. What a stunning space! ❤

[@ВалерияГуралюк-в6з]

So so beautiful!!!!

[@fionay2014]

Just beautiful

[@airamaysantiago]

Stunning 😍

[@tiC12668]

Stunning design! Love it！

[@jessica5846]

What an exquisite thing you’ve done. 🎉❤

[@JasonMatthewsPlusOne]

I’d like to see these guys do the next Princess Lottery Home. Excellent execution

[@jeanlaubenthal698]

Fabulous!

[@AfricancoolChic]

Beautiful 😍

[@ebonylyn6104]

Very nice!

[@iahorvath]

Beautiful design, I love the surprise of the bedroom’s bathroom door that mimics the window treatment - very clever. I’m so glad you pronounce the French word “foyer” correctly!

[@larkmurry7808]

Brilliant...

[@dishappywithlife2556]

The kitchen is very warm, I wish the living room paint has some warm tones to it as the paint registers on the cold side. The fireplace & windows are amazing 8 out of 10.

[@l.a.3479]

The fireplace isn't amazing because it's in front of the window.

[@simongamez]

The really did an incredible job!

[@jcs3330]

Has beautiful and well designed this home is, there is obviously an extreme difference of what a 'long narrow' home is in the US opposed to that in the UK. It would be great to see how these designs would actually translate themselves in a 'real' narrow home. But then from a 'long narrow' description, the same could be used for the enormous space of a 'long and narrow' aircraft hanger!.

[@ΚορίναΠ-π3ψ]

Hellooooo. Just beautiful.

[@linfordjohnson3312]

The best I have seen for a long time!

[@AshleyNoSwiper]

The video link isn’t in the description like stated 😢

[@jojot9342]

Great! I would only put up another big painting, but that is the only "issue" I had...just absolutely amazing esp. the fireplace/window part.

[@l.a.3479]

I dislike having the fireplace against the window. Better to do without it, IMO.

[@xoxokiabyaj1140]

Omg! Love all the details! ❤

[@pleasethink4789]

Nice, but the fireplace blocks the view.

[@l.a.3479]

I dislike the placement of that fireplace.

[@changetocome100]

Anyone know the width and depth of the house, "narrow" nowadays is subjective.

[@21elmoQT]

Omg when can I move in?

[@vikki4now]

There is nothing homie about this colds building. That's a no for me.

[@dusyaak8915]

😍😍😍😍😍😍

[@like-the-cut-of-your-jib]

Gonna forward this to all of my T.O. narrow homeowner friends! (The only thing that I did not like was the fireplace design - why have 2 cubbyholes for real wood, when it's obviously not a wood fireplace? Without those, it would still be striking and useful imho)

[@l.a.3479]

I don't like the placement of it in front of the window.

[@francineh.7825]

I really, really like the balance of the open concept and defined rooms! The table is so beautiful.

[@bglr2783]

Beautiful house... Well done. That's not a small home

[@debbiekrieger81]

Absolutely gorgeous. Great use of the mix of materials. I love the hidden doors off the kitchen

[@markaralvin7919]

Hello Debbie

[@mistertee5000]

The amount of thought and detail that went into this reno really shows. That dining table and how he used the marble detail to integrate the materials seamlessly with the rest of the kitchen is a stroke of genius.

[@kgalvin7503]

This home is unparalleled to anything else I’ve seen from HnH this year. Please feature more of his design work! This is awe-inspiring.

[@kgalvin7503]

It’s a figure of speech. Relax.

[@l.a.3479]

@@kgalvin7503 Thank you for deleting it. For some of us, the name is a lot more than "a figure of speech."

[@josephinebrevig8748]

As a maximalist the kitchen is what does it for me….wow!!! Nice to have a narrow home featured….extremely challenging…they did a great job.

[@DesignerLisa]

One of the most beautifully designed homes you have featured! It takes incredible talent and skill to execute design that is light, modern, edited and yet warm.

[@catherineduncan7707]

What an imaginative and wonderful designer! Such inspiration.

[@kellymartin5475]

Gorgeous! Well narrated too.

[@sionnah01]

Brilliant design, especially the architecture. Simply stunning 🥰

[@fluffer4049]

Love all your projects. Masterful but live able. I’d hire you!

[@christineboone2850]

This is one of my very favorites that I’ve seen on this site! Truly beautiful with excellent attention to how the space functions. The details and use of materials are exquisite!

[@craigmerkey8518]

Wow the "hidden" areas with the desk and bathroom is mad cool!

[@OrendaDesignStudio]

Amazing 🥰🥰🥰.

[@citychictha9391]

beautifully crafted. love everything about this house

[@gladitsnotme]

Where are these condos with these MASSIVE windows? Every place I've ever lived in my life has had no more than 3 windows, one big one in the living room, one in the kitchen, and one in the bedroom. Wtf

[@l.a.3479]

I thought it was custom, added during the renovation?

[@lisabryant5058]

Bravo!

[@darwinmcquerter7463]

Beautifully done ! I love the fireplace and the huge glass windows. Nice to see a TV!!! ( that’s real life!) JMO

[@l.a.3479]

Love the windows, not the fireplace in front of it.

[@yourconnection9303]

This really does have that WOW factor with great vibes! I love it! 💯👌👍 Could you please tell me where the black is desk from?

[@rebekahschroeder7949]

Very nicely done!

[@paulajf4205]

Wow, I can't say what I like best about this bc I literally love it all. I normally can't stand a powder room right off a kitchen (disgusting), but the way they created a small curved hallway to it, doesn't make it seem as if its in the kitchen.

[@ThatBrickChic]

I love this

[@rubychew6535]

Beautiful.

[@rhondav4204]

👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@snorlund1]

Great job! Interesting design details!

[@michaelbaez8417]

He did a fantastic job. Looks great.

[@cooperwesley1536]

For what it is, it's lovely. To be honest, I pay little to no attention to all of these colorless spaces anymore. At this point, they all look alike. In addition, they lack warmth, personality, and character. This place would be a fantastic AirBNB, but it would be difficult living there full time.

[@l.a.3479]

Impractical, too, all of the white furniture

[@cooperwesley1536]

@@l.a.3479 Yep. I had a creamy white sofa once. I bought it in 1988, and took it the dump in 1989... and I lived alone and without pets. What a disaster.

[@nicolebroussard872]

This is beautifully done! Thanks

[@shannoncook9915]

I could listen too this man talk all day long....

[@deemahdee]

stunning

[@valerieann2751]

Beautiful!

[@beatrizpena4565]

Stunning!!!!

[@leydidiaz4169]

Great job!!!!! Buen trabajo me gusto .

[@richardgraham5598]

wonderfully reimagined , comfortable flow. Aesthetically pleasing

[@lucas432]

Ron Weasley became a custom builder?

[@l.a.3479]

He's lacking the red hair, though. 🤣

[@trang8735]

Practical, beautiful, and clean. 🥰

[@BH-2]

Great designers ! They made an ordinary space extraordinary.

[@nancyjeanisnj]

Beautiful!

[@georgerollins3328]

Stunning

[@heidihill2361]

I love your work, the spaces you creative are unique.

[@hithere7282]

Beautiful.

[@Leader-fq1dq]

Well done, it's lovely

[@barb4161]

Simply gorgeous & zen-like colour palette. Such imaginative use of space & cabinetry. A very talented designer !

[@ladyvee7110]

Very nice space. Great job.

[@shastriseeraj7425]

Those window are amazing!

[@sarclifford]

Very talented well done

[@joeyli3031]

A combination of contemporary and classic elegance. I also love the way you comment on the design. GREAT DESIGN.

[@hudsontruong9518]

Does anyone know the arrow width of this home?

[@pscottlivingnow]

It's very inviting home with lots of charm ❤️

[@kameliat7704]

The guy is a genius...

[@sherinejones2983]

Simply beautiful! Takes your breath away...very well done!

[@Echojiaqi]

stunning😮