Lawrence Park Luxury Family Home for sale: 3 + 1 (Listed 2009-01-08)

Lawrence Park Address

279 Blythwood Road, Toronto, ON, M4N 1A7, Canada

Description

This century old English Country Estate Home is a marvelous combination of thoughtful renovation and meticulous restoration that offers the knowledgeable buyer a rare opportunity to reside in a truly unique home. Artfully placed just off the beaten path, this property masterfully blends original quarter-sawn Oak flooring, professionally restored wall paneling, beamed ceilings, solid Oak front door and period leaded glass windows, with imaginative and tasteful renovations that truly present the best of both worlds. From the warmth and sophistication of the octagonal dining room to the funky utility of the walk-in vault converted to a wine cellar, this home is a truly special and engaging property.

Features

The foyer is large and bright with quarter-sawn Oak floors, wall paneling, three windows, a beamed ceiling, nine foot ceilings and a walk-in coat closet with built-ins and a stained glass window. On the East side is a most remarkable dining room and living room. With an approximate 240 degree sweeping view from 10 windows, professionally restored Oak wall paneling, beamed ceilings and original quarter sawn Oak flooring, the dining area is as impressive as it is enjoyable. The living room is wrapped in the original floor to ceiling Oak wall paneling, shares the same beautiful quarter sawn Oak floor, has a beamed ceiling and a wood burning fireplace surrounded by the fully restored original Oak mantle and full height wall paneling. The special nature of this space is further enhanced by discreetly placed and movable artwork lighting and an exceptional stained glass window insert.

The thoroughly modern kitchen has been restored/renovated to blend in perfectly with the period look and feel of the rest of the home. It features custom Oak cabinetry, Quarter-sawn Oak floor, halogen lighting, double enamel sink with garburater, a large custom built pots and pans storage cupboard, marble countertops, marble backsplash and three south facing windows. The kitchen has a full suite of top-end appliances including a paneled Sub-Zero fridge with two freezer compartments, Garland six burner gas range with professional grade exhaust hood, paneled Bosch dishwasher and a Sharp microwave/convection oven.

The family room has quarter-sawn Oak flooring, a coved ceiling with decorative medallion, leaded glass windows on the west and north sides, decorative plate rail and a wood burning fireplace with marble hearth and surround and an upgraded flue for great draw and perfect fires. There is direct access to the south yard through leaded glass French doors with matched leaded glass sidelight windows. The main floor powder room also offers original quarter-sawn Oak flooring as well as a vintage sink and south facing window.

The stately staircase and upper hall area features wall paneling, leaded glass accent window, rich wool stair runner, Oak stairs with banister, a linen closet and a three-panel leaded glass “eyebrow” window that flows into a vaulted ceiling.

The master bedroom is another very special space that is a vertical continuation of the marvelous dining room layout. The glass filled octagonal space offers a fantastic combination of natural light and privacy with beautiful quarter sawn Oak floor and a room sized, wrap around radiator for true comfort. There is a very generous sitting/reading area that shares the same run of period Oak flooring, offers another wood burning fireplace and leads directly to a modern five-piece ensuite as well as a walk-in closet with built-ins that could easily be expanded in size. The ensuite has quarter-sawn Oak flooring, a clawfoot soaker tub, a full size linen closet, walk-in marble and glass shower enclosure with Rain shower head, a pedestal sink, and two south facing windows.

The Library is once again a marvelous space that was originally two bedrooms and could easily be returned to its original configuration. It has French door access from the hall, a lofty cathedral ceiling with Oak beams, quarter-sawn Oak flooring, three south facing windows and a wood burning fireplace with antique marble mantle and hearth, a granite surround and a re-lined chimney. This great room also has built-in bookcases flanking the fireplace, two west windows and an alcove window overlooking Blythwood Avenue.

There is an additional bedroom with quarter-sawn Oak floor, coved ceiling, windows on two sides, a wall alcove perfect for a dresser and a good sized closet. A modern four-piece bathroom with quarter-sawn Oak floor, soaker tub, pedestal sink, sconce lighting and a south facing window completes this upper level.

The lower level has been extensively renovated and mechanically updated to reflect the style and value of the rest of the home. The floor was excavated an additional two feet and radiant in-floor heating and a highly durable engineered wood floor was installed throughout the area. These major upgrades have made the entire space both comfortable and attractive and allows for a ceiling height that is commensurate with the upper floors.

Flowing directly off the lower landing is a large walk-in vault dating back to the very early 1900’s that has been converted into the perfect wine cellar complete with its own environmental controls. Great for your best vintages and yet another wonderful bit of extra panache this home has to offer.

The large recreation room would be perfect for either the kids play area or a full home theatre installation. Along with the heated engineered wood floor, it offers a wood burning fireplace, halogen lighting, wainscoting and a separate entrance from outside. On the west side of this lower level is a good sized bedroom with a large double closet and two windows. There is also a walk-in Cedar closet with built-ins and well positioned lighting that actually allows you to easily see what you have in storage.

Just a few feet away is the combination laundry room and top quality three-piece bathroom. A very efficient use of space, this room has a heavy duty front loading washer and dryer combo, generous folding counter, a storage closet and two south windows. The bathroom portion is comprised of a glass and marble walk-in shower enclosure, pedestal sink, Toto toilet and sconce lighting. With a large bedroom, quality bathroom and private entrance this lower level has all the makings of the ideal nanny suite or teenagers living area.

There are marvelous perennial gardens throughout this large, approximately three quarter acre lot. The extensive evergreen plantings provide a fantastic degree of privacy in all seasons and when viewed with all the flowers and shrubs in full bloom, you can almost forget you’re in the heart of a large metropolitan area. It’s beautiful and it’s private and highly supportive of a sense of peace and quiet that belies its location and is good for the soul.

Amenities

Parking:
New double door, two car garage with remotes (2006)
Additional parking for three plus cars


Electrical:
200 amp service
All knob and tube removed
Pre-wired for audio in principal rooms
Over $10,000 invested in antique light fixtures (2004/5)


Comfort Sysyems:
Gas hot water boiler
New (2007) “Space Pak” ducted central air conditioning system installed on second floor…works perfectly to cool first floor as well
Radiant floor heating throughout lower level
One inch copper waterline in from street, ¾ inch throughout house
Gas hot water tank (rental)


Security System:
Sophisticated system with cell phone backup (monitoring extra)


Exterior:
New eaves troughs (2004)
Twelve zone sprinkler system (2004)
Extensive garden accent lighting (2006))
Stone walkway and stairs to Blythwood re-done and lighting added (2006)
Upgraded drainage system (2006)