Skip to Content Subscribe Our Offers My Account Manage My Subscriptions FAQ Newsletters Canada Canadian True Crime Canadian Politics Health World Israel & Middle East Financial Post NP Comment Longreads Puzzmo Diversions Comics NP News Quiz New York Times Crossword Horoscopes Life Eating & Drinking Style Sponsored Play for Ontario Travel Travel Canada Travel USA Travel International Cruises Travel Essentials Culture Books Celebrity Movies Music Theatre Television Business Essentials Advice Lives Told Tails Told Shopping Buy Canadian Home Living Outdoor Living Kitchen & Dining Tech Style & Beauty Personal Care Entertainment & Hobbies Gift Guide Travel Guide Amazon Prime Day Deals Savings National Post Store More Sports Hockey Baseball Basketball Football Soccer Golf Tennis Driving Vehicle Research Reviews News Gear Guide Obituaries Place an Obituary Place an In Memoriam Classifieds Place an Ad Celebrations Working Business Ads Archives Healthing Epaper Manage Print Subscription Profile Settings My Subscriptions Saved Articles My Offers Newsletters Customer Service FAQ Newsletters Canada World Financial Post NP Comment Longreads Puzzmo Diversions Life Shopping Epaper Manage Print Subscription HomeHomesInterior design: Turning over a new leafA botanical motif runs through this updated Edwardian in RiverdaleLast updated Jun 16, 2026 You can save this article by registering for free here. Or sign-in if you have an account.The showstopping, hand-dyed mural in the kitchen was designed by Cara Marie Piazza for Wallpaper Projects. Photo by Nanne Springer We independently select everything we recommend. Buying through us may earn us a commission, which supports our work.At one point, a jacuzzi the size of a beached whale occupied the large bathroom upstairs. Instead of walls, glass blocks divided the loo from the adjacent bedroom and study, allowing light to seep through — far from ideal when you’re trying to sleep in. Enjoy the latest local, national and international news.Exclusive articles by Conrad Black, Barbara Kay and others. Plus, special edition NP Platformed and First Reading newsletters and virtual events.Unlimited online access to National Post.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.Support local journalism.Enjoy the latest local, national and international news.Exclusive articles by Conrad Black, Barbara Kay and others. Plus, special edition NP Platformed and First Reading newsletters and virtual events.Unlimited online access to National Post.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.Support local journalism.Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one account.Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite authors.Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one accountShare your thoughts and join the conversation in the commentsEnjoy additional articles per monthGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an Accountor“Plain strange” is how Toronto architect Heather Asquith of Asquith Architecture describes it. There were other decorating gaffes in the Riverdale home: a faux-steel industrial beam (nixed by Asquith) on the main floor; a dated L-shaped kitchen sporting strange angles; and a series of glass doors to the ravine-like backyard and pool that cut up the view. “We made a slightly larger opening and added a large, two-panel sliding door instead of four individual swing doors for fewer visual divisions,” says Asquith. She worked on the project with her colleague, architect Ashley Adams, gutting and refinishing the 2,500-square-foot Edwardian over the course of 10 months with Webb & Lashbrook in charge of contracting. Blue Ash Studio did the millwork in the home, including the custom-built oak kitchen, topped in quartz. Photo by Nanne Springer The reason for the lengthy timeframe, says Asquith, is that there was an unfinished basement to contend with. “We lowered it, waterproofed it and put in a laundry room and a bathroom,” she says. “The rest of the space is an open family room and music studio.” Having an extra hangout zone suits the couple’s teenage son. “And Dad was also adamant about this part of the project and liked it for a separate TV-watching, guitar-playing space,” says Asquith. She also notes the household’s charismatic cockapoo, “an integral member of the family,” who appreciated being able to scamper throughout the main floor unencumbered by the angled kitchen. The new one, custom-crafted by Blue Ash Studio — galley-style with panelled appliances — is calm and collected. “The palette is a rift-cut white oak with a natural finish to match the new white-oak flooring,” says Asquith. “The cabinet faces are flat panelled to [create] a calm backdrop in the open-concept space,” she says. Skinny matte-green tiles and wood elements hit a natural note in the generously sized bathroom. Photo by Nanne Springer “Visually you can see them from all parts of the ground floor, so they needed to blend seamlessly.” Leaning heavily on white oak establishes a modern, Scandinavian feel underscoring the natural vibe the homeowners were after. The quartz countertop and backsplash are white with barely there grey veining, “so it looks natural without being overpowering,” says Asquith. But the star is the kitchen’s hand-dyed mural that hangs above the cabinetry in the kitchen’s rear, designed by Cara Marie Piazza for Wallpaper Projects; its spinach-green swooshes mingle with purples and browns for a soft, painterly effect. The original staircase was painted in High Park by Benjamin Moore, and offers a pleasing old/new contrast against the sleek oak sideboard. Asquith Architecture also opened up the cavity leading to the new, underpinned basement. Photo by Nanne SpringerIt won’t suffer from tomato-sauce splatters, says Asquith because “it’s purposefully in an area that doesn’t have plumbing, so it won’t get wet.” Sage green pops up again on the original staircase. Leaving it intact, along with its old-school spindles, saved on the budget and maintains the home’s character. It’s painted in High Park by Benjamin Moore, an herby green. At the top of the stairs, large pocket doors open to a reimagined bathroom. “When we got rid of that jacuzzi, the space really opened up, so it feels generous,” says Asquith, noting the sizeable window that lets in tons of light. The four-piece loo is now calm and restorative. Vertical matte-green tiles are a nod to nature and play warmly against the millwork on the vanity and shelves, which were also made by Blue Ash Studio. The simple, freestanding tub is worlds away from its hulking predecessor. “The homeowners,” says Asquith, “are very happy.” Join the Conversation This website uses cookies to personalize your content (including ads), and allows us to analyze our traffic. Read more about cookies here. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.