PERFECT BLEND

Olivia Botrie has brought modern comforts and family-friendly functionality to her early 20th-century home - all while respecting its original character

- KAREN WILSON

WHY DID YOU BUY THIS HOUSE? I lived on the same street in Toronto's Roncesvalles neighbourhood with my husband, two young children and our dog. We loved the area but needed more space as our family grew. The house was formerly three properties but had already been converted into a large family home. It had great bones with a layout that could be refreshed without a full reconfiguration.

WHAT BUILDING WORK DID YOU DO? Although much of the original layout was retained to optimise the budget, it was a full gut renovation with new plumbing, electrics and joinery. We also added a skylight in the mudroom, which has transformed it. I designed and managed the renovation in the evenings and on weekends, while also running my design practice, Dart Studio.