Renovation: A Narrow Victorian Home Gets A Trendy Makeover

As Featured in the January/February 2021 Issue of House & Home magazine.
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Designer Joel Bray is back again with another Victorian home makeover! This time: a sleek and modern home in Toronto's Leslieville neighborhood. See how the H&H alum updated the interiors while maintaining the original character for a traditional yet on-trend aesthetic. You'll love the graphic chef's kitchen with black stainless steel appliances and marble-look quartz countertops and the living room's industrial-style sliding doors which lead out to the lush backyard. The second and third floors boast a lofty lounge area, a handsome principal bedroom with a vaulted ceiling, an enviable ensuite bathroom and more. Plus, Joel proves how small details can have a big impact - just look to the statement tile, mod pendants and jewel-like knobs.
SOURCES: Design, Joel Bray, Joel Bray Design, joelbraydesign.com; wall color, brick color, Oxford White (CC-30), Benjamin Moore, 1-800-361-5898 or benjaminmoore.ca. Living room: Patio door, Fieldstone Windows & Doors, [phone] or fieldstonewindows.com; rug, Zara Home, zarahome.com; green throw pillows, Tonic Living, [phone] or tonicliving.com. Dining room: Chandelier, Lamp Cage, lampcage.com; brick veneer, Century Architexture, [phone] or centuryarchitexture.com; art by Georgia Amar, Guff, [phone] or gufffurniture.com. Entryway: Front door, Fieldstone Windows & Doors, [phone] or fieldstonewindows.com; floor tile, Home Hardware/Home Building Centres, homehardware.ca; moulding, Central Fairbank Lumber, centralfairbank.com. Kitchen: Pendants, Modern Furniture Knockoff, [phone] or mfkto.com; cabinets, AyA Kitchens and Baths, [phone] or ayakitchens.com. Kitchen counters: Range, KitchenAid, kitchenaid.ca; hardware, RH, rh.com; cabinet color, Space Black (2119-10), Benjamin Moore, 1-800-361-5898 or benjaminmoore.ca; custom vent hood, shelving, B.Finlay Millwork, [phone] or bfinlaymillwork.com. Guest bedroom: Drapery fabric, DwellStudio, dwellstudio.com; table lamp, HomeSense, 1-800-646-9466 or homesense.ca; ochre accent pillow fabric, Kravet Canada (to the trade), 1-800-535-3258 or kravetcanada.com. Office: Wallpaper, York Wallcoverings, yorkwallcoverings.com; ceiling fixture, VdeV Maison, [phone], [phone] or vdevmaison.com; daybed, CB2, cb2.ca; desk, West Elm, westelm.ca. Kitchen overall: Refrigerator, KitchenAid, kitchenaid.ca; counters, New Age Granite & Marble, [phone] or newagemarble.com; newel post, The Door Store, [phone] or thedoorstore.ca. Principal bedroom: Vintage antlers, Elle & Eve, [phone] or elleandeve.ca; table lamp, West Elm, westelm.ca; pillows, Tonic Living, (416) 699- 9879 or tonicliving.com. Wardrobe: Custom wardrobe, Joel Bray Design, joelbraydesign.com; art lights, VdeV Maison, [phone], [phone] or vdevmaison.com; knobs, Legacy Vintage, [phone] or legacyvintage.ca. Lounge: Picture rail, Ikea, 1-866-866-IKEA or ikea.ca; throw pillows, Tonic Living, [phone] or tonicliving.com. Principal bathroom: Sinks, faucets, Roman Bath Centre, [phone] or romanbathcentre.com; counters, Caesarstone, caesarstone.ca; custom vanity, Joel Bray Design, joelbraydesign.com.
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[@ritaderuysscher9624]

I don’t know why designers love to put open shelves next to a stove/range/cooker. It must be a nightmare to clean; they’re just magnets for grease and dust. Although the design looks nice, and makes for lovely magazine photos, some of the elements are not practical.

[@wallihaley5194]

Rita De Ruysscher, my guess is that many times the people who design homes don’t cook, and they’re completely unaware of how cooking film gets all over things.

[@TrishDigginsDesign]

I cook daily. I like them. But then I’m a bit of a clean freak...

[@angua65]

It's pretty but not practical, like whole open plan. I don't want to smell cooking all over the house. I presume this is for people who lives on salads and smoothies.

[@mtm00]

There's nothing wrong with getting down to a good cleaning session -- it's good for the soul!

[@angua65]

​@@ludastout2852 Right 👍🏼 If one cook spicy food, sauteed onions, lots of spices etc I guess range hood is a big helper, but after awhile scent of food get into walls, carpets, furniture... I won't deny big airy space look better, but as I said, not very practical if one is particular about his/hers house "scent"...

[@AnnMarieKing]

OK. Relieved it's not just me with the shorts. Also great design on the house!

[@rockshot100]

Lots of white and very sleek and that's just da shorts!

[@oddtrash]

Bahahahahaha

[@creativelife9871]

🤣🤣

[@l.a.3479]

Tacky and unprofessional

[@TVEunice]

This home is S-T-U-N-N-I-N-G. Joel, you continue to be one of my favorite H&H designers!

[@pearlhappyhour]

The comments about the tight shorts are killing me 😂😂

[@Icebluegel11]

I didn’t even notice the shorts until I saw the comments. I was Too busy admiring the house

[@TP-xy2ms]

He’s getting muscular as well.

[@l.a.3479]

​@@Icebluegel11Really? They're somewhat of a tacky and unprofessional distraction.

[@NS-jr8nk]

I love the industrial vibe of this victorian house. It's elegant but still feels cozy and warm. Lots of black & white but doesn't look boring or neutral at all.

[@Mel-nk1gn]

In summary: Joel can design a great house and we're all pervs.

[@cherylfinch3687]

YES indeed

[@Zluka-Kluka]

😩

[@l.a.3479]

"Pervs?!"

[@jenns.5791]

this home is beautiful. Joel is next level.

[@freddiegravet5744]

Then shorts though😏

[@ny3683syr]

This is at least the third time I've watched this same video. This design is not only beautiful, but I can 'borrow' many of these ideas for my own home which is similarly shaped. I love this project. The home is cozy, but uncluttered and very, very beautiful.

[@oyannamuta]

Those shorts are about to rip...damn. Anyway, nice house!

[@long5217]

Ummm, love everything Joel does but could not take my eyes off the shorts.

[@KiickrOcksz]

Lmao. Same.

[@tara_nguyen]

Same. So nice to see him so casual.

[@claudiamolina5107]

are they shorts?

[@peekstar]

@@claudiamolina5107 HAHA

[@oddtrash]

Agreed! I couldn't stop looking at how skin tight those shorts are. He looks yummy but I think the outfit is a bit too casual for this video.

[@deneshae4494]

Something about a house...and a renovation...but those shorts are also rather interesting 👀 🤓

[@citychictha9391]

Lol 🤣

[@ramyy8]

😜😂

[@l.a.3479]

Which is the problem

[@lilithgrrrl]

There was some beautiful millwork around the doors and stained glass ... sad that they basically wiped out any hint of a heritage home and did the whole boho scandi thing that everyone’s doing these days ... might as well have a loft apartment 🤷🏻‍♀️

[@rmonson5002]

My thoughts exactly.

[@lilithgrrrl]

@@rmonson5002 RIGHT?! I would love to live in an intact Victorian house with all the trimmings and enjoy the separation, the quiet, the closed off spaces that give you breathing room. "open concept" means someone's watching 90 day fiance in the living room while someone's making a smelly stir fry in the kitchen flinging oil everywhere and someone else is trying to read and yelling at someone else to turn it down ... hahaha

[@rmonson5002]

@@lilithgrrrl I totally agree. I think blowing everything open like that ruins the charm and integrity of a Victorian home. The quirks and little hidden nooks and crannies and doors and wonky little closets and all are what give Victorians charm IMHO. Old houses left in tact are like an archeological dig into a past era. Yes, electrical and plumbing needs to be updated, but I think those things can be done while remaining sensitive to the original style of a Victorian. Don't get me wrong, I loves me some big open loft apartments like you said, but an old Victorian townhouse and open loft are not interchangeable. And ripping out beautiful original millwork and stained glass just hurts my heart. It survived for 100+ years just to be destroyed for some fleeting trend? Boo. And it also lacks imagination. Okay, I'll stop ranting...for now 😉

[@joannawalsh6997]

This is one of the most stunning, creative renos I've seen for narrow homes. Soo well done ! 👏❤

[@cherylfinch3687]

I was so distracted that I had to watch this 3x! ;-)

[@KENTURNERSINGS]

@Cheryl Finch - I was also dickstracted 😉

[@loveyou5507]

@@KENTURNERSINGS nah chill 😂

[@chrloebach]

Joel is such a fantastic designer. This house is beautiful, yet masculine.

[@parnellbeth]

Those shorts are the male version of daisy dukes.

[@l.a.3479]

Which is the problem

[@loisblake5854]

Beautiful home, but what is with those shorts???

[@ellisrose8017]

I was thinking the same 😬😂

[@StyledbyTess]

I thought I'm the only with same thought

[@kintsugipoetry1626]

Same. It's poppin'

[@whenlifegivesyoulemon309]

Lol true hahaha

[@knunez4862]

Very distracting

[@vmpapillon8984]

Really well done to use this restrained colour palette but warm it up in different ways

[@jandoroteo7022]

Joel Bray's work always hits the spot for me. Loved his previous house reno!

[@taijones8728]

GREAT Job!!!!!

[@galcverseau]

Beautiful

[@ZM00716]

Very stylish...on point

[@memi4586]

I love Joel Bray's work

[@karenfeaster4655]

Gorgeous

[@arin7981]

This is exactly how i want my apartment to look like.....Very Masculine and Modern with few fun elements like the powder room tiles and soo on...love it❤️

[@ildikodemcakova1628]

beautiful

[@danieladeutsch1708]

I love the color scheme! Very cozy, very inviting.

[@marquamfurniture]

Take a shot every time Joel says "really."

[@norafl2821]

I am no designer but for a Victorian home the design update took that charm away.

[@angelbaby1811]

Agreed

[@colortura]

Joel you did a fantastic job. Would love to see more videos of Joel's work. I also appreciate House & Home gave us a complete tour of the house. Great video.

[@Andrea-yp9dp]

All the houses he designed are really my dream homes. Love all his designs!!!

[@annslattery9999]

Gorgeous.

[@nae4830]

Beautiful !

[@eallen1996]

Well done.

[@rosaliaabaya7872]

Wow. Beautiful. Love everything

[@user-xj6ef1kt1l]

Wow so much beautiful 😍❤️💗💕

[@mrscchow-hi7uh]

Joel is my favorite, this is how you do plants rather than plopping pothos on a random shelf everywhere.

[@sashkad9246]

snake plant in the shower? I hope it's fake!

[@Zluka-Kluka]

Tight house, just like someone’s shorts 🩳

[@eallen1996]

lol

[@johnconstable8512]

lol

[@pearlhappyhour]

🤣🤣

[@jacquelinelun4049]

Thats what I noticed too

[@PuffyTacos]

Joel wears them great 😊

[@sisisari8433]

I’m always wandering where they put these fancy outdoor furniture in winter time

[@l.a.3479]

You would have to rent a storage place. There's no room to store it in the house.

[@belindabruceaustin7127]

Okay Joel your work is always awesome....but so are those shorts!, Lol

[@l.a.3479]

Tacky and unprofessional

[@nlm6054]

Wowww gorgeous

[@leeannasingh8955]

Stunning!

[@shilpaverma4198]

I really like this transformation after long time.

[@yuluo2361]

love everything Joel did

[@melissasmith4372]

I was hoping it was a 'Joel design' as soon as I saw the link showing hits of green! More Joel please!

[@tiffanivu2366]

Thanks, love everything

[@YananoBere]

One of the best renovations I've seen on this channel. So elegant. What a talent!

[@whosthatgirl718]

Very nice

[@paulawalsh4146]

Stunning love everything 😍😍

[@lorrainejarron4445]

Time for big boy pants Joel!

[@ricardodasilva5612]

Beautiful result... Everything matches, combining the contemporary and the classic in a perfect way

[@cosmicchristful]

Outrageous! Stunning! 😇❤️

[@Megaloid]

Beautiful reno! Such a great kitchen, love the bathrooms, and that backyard is giving me so many ideas.

[@missysanz9078]

love it !!!

[@bronyaclimateshield1416]

Beautiful home

[@zalehaburude7752]

Truly wonderful....

[@30arminda]

I love hearing that you vaulted the ceilings! We’ve been dreaming about doing that and it is great to see examples of it! You’ve done an amazing job here

[@jamisparling7054]

Great design Joel!! I love the cohesive feel throughout. Beautiful!!

[@merrywalsh2809]

Now THAT is how you do a Reno and home tour! Joel setting the bar 🙌🏽🔥

[@marijanel9639]

Joel!!! This house....va va voom!!!!!

[@timcarrington5977]

Looks great! House is nice too

[@justlikekris]

Love love your design style....wish you were in Denver!

[@tommoncrieff1154]

Thank you so much for this shorts tour, so much was packed in.

[@madhavimotamarry7434]

You nailed it

[@relaxingmomentsasmr149]

Let me guess. The homeowners Ryan and Adam stipulated that Joel must wear very tight shorts to be allowed into their home. What the?

[@EHQUNDEH]

@N N Edwards everyone is distracted by the shorts .. was a bit too much...we love Joel though !

[@pearlhappyhour]

🤣🤣

[@l.a.3479]

Tacky

[@monicacappetta7017]

Joel, you did an absolutely terrific job on this house. I would love to own it.

[@shoshanachavab]

You forgot your trousers

[@GardeningSpirit]

GORE-JUS!!!

[@k.s5889]

I can't stop watching at his shorts 😂

[@l.a.3479]

Which is the problem

[@kstepk5003]

I love this style, masculine yet soft,.

[@l.a.3479]

Just a tad too masculine for me

[@effie5238]

Joel NEVER disappoints! What a gorgeous home! Hope the owners enjoy it for many years to come! 😊

[@JonathanCurtis]

Joel hits another one out of the park! This is so chic and modern, but still cozy!

[@tracy11115]

Hi Joel! Is that wallpaper on the third floor with the desk? If so where is it from? Thanks.

[@jameshero5755]

The short shorts is all i look at the whole time. pretty sure i've seen this guy at white party or some atlantis cruise...

[@alanbeausang8284]

hahahahahahahahaha!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@readyok5942]

The owners are circuit boys so that makes a lot sense

[@KiickrOcksz]

LMAO. Why you airing him out like that?

[@rockshot100]

@@KiickrOcksz The LAST thing he is getting is air.

[@l.a.3479]

Which is the problem

[@UnseenSpirit]

One thing I noticed was the guest bedroom. The size of the room was quite apparent with someone in it (angle too/camera lens) compared to a side shot

[@TheSingingGardener]

I've had to rewind this video 5 times already and I still can't focus on the house... LOL

[@l.a.3479]

Which is the problem

[@mareeversace88]

So great to see you back Joel, I think I’d be right to say we’ve all missed you. This home is just lovely, it did remind me a lot of yours. All very tasteful and very well thought out. Thanks Joel💙

[@byronjackson8452]

Beautiful renovation would have like to seen the exterior as well.

[@mchantemerlelegros1603]

Great renovation but one question: don't any kitchen sinks in Canada have draining boards? When you are washing pots and pans (the ones that can't go in the dishwasher) where do you put them to drain before putting them away?

[@wallihaley5194]

Mchantemerle Legros, since drain boards are usually not very attractive, most designers wouldn’t put them on display. And it’s very possible that this couple doesn’t use a drain board at all if they use the dishwasher.

[@barbarahope1934]

I find a lot of kitchen designs don’t have draining boards. Like you I don’t understand why. I live in Australia and it is the same over here

[@peachygvgv]

The house is so pretty! 😍

[@rl4899]

Fantasti!!!!

[@SheenaSRS]

Bravo! Perfect execution of maintaining Victorian character with clean modern functionality! Well spoken and articulate descriptions on what was done and your approach to design decisions. Thank you for sharing this project with us. Very talented design. Well done!

[@TheNicoliyah]

Love everything from top to to bottom, I live in a not dissimilar Victorian house all the way in London and this has given me a few ideas to be cracking on with

[@jeanporter5734]

Joel you have done a brilliant job... looking forward to finding more of your work!!

[@laylaylomseda]

Joel ,you've done it again . what a beautiful home :)

[@bymilliebphotography8249]

First off, I'm sure next time he's featured he won't be wearing such a distracting casual ensemble. But the good news is that those tight white shorts could not compete with this man's talent for great design. FINALLY H&H, you featured an interior designer worthy of watching! I adore the minimalist design, the great use of space, the craftsmanship, the finishes, etc. the interior of the home is pure bliss. The outdoor space felt a bit disconnected to me, like I was at someone else's outdoor space. But, kudos for the amazing interior!

[@socialjusticejewelry]

Where did the principal bathroom vanity lights come from? Don't see it listed in Sources.

[@FernandaBOFalcao]

Absolutely gorgeous! I'd move in right away 👏🏼

[@rajaune]

Beautifully done!

[@m.s.4356]

One of the best and most beautiful renos I have seen in the past months!

[@alien151]

What brand is the hood?

[@karaf5419]

Everybody talkin’ bout my tight shorts, I got my tight shorts on 🎶 🎵

[@nataliem9315]

Looks great! I really like it, good balance in shape color and materials!

[@stargazer5073]

Great job! Love the transformation!

[@wendypoo9914]

Hi shorts...like your Joel 😉 House is dope tho!

[@samwoods836]

Where did you get the simulated terrazzo? Thank you.

[@lrivera31]

Joel! Your designs help me navigate my row home. Love it

[@21prufrock]

I absolutely love this transformation! I love that he mixed all metals in the kitchen . I love the black without overwhelming or making the home too dark