I first saw food stylist, Claire Stubbs home last year in House & Home Magazine. I was immediately intrigued by the massive renovation she had undertaken. From the outside, this house looks like any other turn of the century home in our neighbourhood but the moment you step inside an entirely contemporary home is revealed. Not one surface has been left untouched. From the solid walnut floors that run throughout all three floors of the house to the new windows which she consciously chose to extend to the floor in almost every room the house is a airy and bright modern retreat. And don’t even get me started on that bathroom!
Enjoy the tour!
Name
Claire Stubbs
Occupation
Food Stylist and Recipe Developer
How long have you lived in your home?
Just a little over a year.
When was your home built?
1912
Any kids or pets?
Sophie the cat. She’s 17.
Which room do you spend the most time in? Why?
I always end up in the kitchen. It has a big table near the sliding doors which are always open in good weather.
What were the major changes you made to this house?
Hmmmmm. What didn’t we do? The house was renovated in the eighties, so there was lots of glass block, blue granite tile, jacuzzi tubs and California shutters.
We ended up gutting the house and rebuilding it from square one. New HVAC, new electrical, we tore down walls and moved staircases, opened up ceilings, added skylights, enlarged windows and doorways. And then the fun part started where we chose finishes and fixtures.
How did you end up living in Parkdale?
I’ve lived in Parkdale for almost 20 years. I moved here initially because I was working in a west end restaurant called Mildred Pierce. This is my second house in the neighbourhood. I love the village-y feel of the area.
What is your favorite moment/object in your home?
I love the big, sunny windows and the great cross breezes when they are open in the summer.
What influences you? Where do you get your inspiration from?
I am very inspired by travelling and seeing the way other people live.
Where is your favorite place to visit?
Anywhere I haven’t been yet. I think this year it will be Chile and Peru.
What are you reading at the moment?
I just finished Keith Richard’s book Life. He has a cat named Toaster. I love that. And I have just started reading Jared Diamond’s book Collapse: How Societies Choose to Fail or Succeed.
Thanks Claire for letting us into your beautiful home!
All photographs by Kristin Sjaarda for The Marion House Book.
17 Comments
Sweet mother of pearl, that’s gorgeous. Astonishing to think this house is somewhere in my neighbourhood!
uh….wow. I mean, really. wow. I am always SO bowled over by folks with such stunning & edited taste. I am completely incapable of that but, admire it from afar so much. Every piece seems so perfectly curated and selected. So much visual, textural interest. So clear that everything was picked with careful consideration and love. Don’t get me started on that bathroom either….whew. Just gorgeous, thanks for sharing this hun!
xo
Melis
Oh! And the alphabet falls….LOVE that. truly.
xo
Melis
Loving the wood floors and that bathroom! Beautiful place
The floors are beautiful! I want them!!! I as well am stunned to think that this house is in our hood. Beautiful! Now I know what we’ll be doing once we get to our ‘dream’ house some day.
wow – this may be my most favourite house to date. It’s just beautiful! My dream home, for sure.
This house is stunning! I am in love with the walnut floors and the huge windows in every room…gorgeous! Thanks for sharing!
OMG bathroom!
Absolutely stunning! I love love love the look and feel of this home. So clean & crisp & comfortable. I love the little touches of whimsy she has used, the alphabet is wonderful!
Thank you so much for sharing!
Happy Wednesday!
Having seen the inside of the house prior to the renovations. I can say this is about 5 gazillion times nicer than the before.
I was just looking through past issues of H & H to show the kitchen of this place to friends of ours who are mid-reno as inspiration-and yes, kristen, the bathroom- love it!
Why is it that the same ideas seem to be recycled and yet they’re passed off as being “new”, “modern”, “contemporary”, “different”. All of this minimalist decor with a “hint of the natural i.e. wood and more wood is OVERDONE. Shows us something fresh and innovative or what’s the point???
Such a beautifull home! & I love all the unique details like the light fixtures, chairs, ottoman, & the letters on the wall.
Beautiful. Love all the Scott Griffin pieces!
I spy a smaller version of our sideboard
Another great tour Emma!
this is such a beautiful space. thanks for sharing these pics – gives us additional views than the house and home tour (which was also amazing). after our reno, we have the same galley kitchen layout. we are struggling to figure out how to fit in an eat-in space. I’m really loving the table and stools configuration Claire has used.
i really like your blog, thanks for all the great inspiration =)
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