"Masculine Mischief"?? ewww

LOVE LOVE LOVE. the humor, the clean lines and rad accent pieces. a hot man lives here for sure....

I have to say that I did not click through to the end because I got so bored by all the close-up vignettes. A few are fine but this had way too many.

This article almost seemed like a plug for the author's caviar20.com or whatever company. Inappropriate- yay/nay?

Inappropriate. Made all the more so for me because I really just don't like this place.

Any more info on Robert Lee? I love that painting and can't seem to find anything on the net about him. Thanks!

ilovetheartinthediningroom

This tour would have been more enjoyable without the bad pictures of the ho-hum objects. But it is certainly an interesting-looking pad. I like how Mike keeps his furniture to the bare essentials, which, together with the artwork, makes the bare walls look good.

Troy-You misspelled the word "proprietor" in your lead, but did you mean to say predator instead? Hee hee hee.

Mike-I can appreciate your place. It definitely shows your individual taste. But I was thinking maybe your biggest embarrassment should be your silly dust ruffle on your "trains" bed and not your dining room chairs. And, by the way, score on the Leaf light.

Love the bedside butter box ! I have a stack of them, they make for great storage.

unfortunately, his site crashed my computer

I LOVE THIS PLACE!! It's so much fun!!

"my hot friend?"

shudder.

edmarch, rude!

i think the pics are cool and so is this place. i especially like the picture of the coffeetable and the blue-socked feet.

Yeah something about this article irked me... not sure if it was the self promotion, the "hot friend" comment (without a picture to back it up) or the so-so decorating. Love the duvet cover though, and the view of Toronto rules.

great space, like the sense of humor. how many times does one need to plug caviar20.com? (which is also misspelled in one of the links) anyhow, i like the space...it's better to be the hot friend than the ugly one. HA!

Is this the same Mike Murphy that used to play for the Kings, then coached the Leafs?

Nice place! Very comfortable and masculine. I love the art. Also the balance of the poppy primary colors in the art and accessories with the spare furnishings, grey walls and dark floors is really pretty.

The space has a ton of potential. Unfortunately what's been done with it is only a baby step up from a college dorm room. Worse, this lack of any real design is labeled "masculine".

Ouch! I hope Mike's not too sensitive reading some of these comments...

Thanks for caring FSBFG. I'm tough and can take it. As I said It's my first place and don't hold it up to be anything iconic. It's just an honest reflection of what I like.

The history of comments by the negative people indicate that it is really their MO. Would be nice to hear some constructive ideas though as it's still a blank canvas.

proofread, please.

Awesome place. It's the "urban cool" art collection (mostly by the owner, if I read that correctly) that prevents it from being too "dorm room". I also like the combination of dark grey, light grey and green in the living room, and the solid ribbed rugs that anchor the furniture. There's also a pleasing contrast between high-end designer items like the bedside lamp, and bits of junk from the barn.

But the plastic tree? Whole galaxies of wrong.

1) BEST house tour ever posted on AT.
love love love
2) T.o Represent!

Gee, I go through about one of those Speedwell pistol targets a week. I didn't realize they'd be edgy 'art' if I hung them on my wall. :)

im crazy about this place.
perfect use of color without feeling juvenile. and perfectly masculine. love it.

I'm from Toronto and embarrassed that this place is somehow representative of this city or masculinity. I think that the bed and photograph is especially creepy...hot or not. I would run. And fast.

Wow, tough crowd. And that's alot coming from me since. I'm truly confused why there is so much hating going on concerning this tour. It's as if few people even bothered to read the interview:

"Don’t feel compelled to complete your house from day one. Living in a work-in-progress will leave you with something that reflects you better than rushing to buy everything at once. There’s nothing worse than something that looks like it’s been Xeroxed from a catalogue page or friends who refuse to have people over because their place isn’t “ready” or “done” yet. It never should be done."

For a work in progress I think it is fantastic. Obviously the walls are a show-stealer, but with walls like that they should be and I appreciate the restraint.
It seems that each everything you have collected is meaningful and loved. I love seeing personal artwork and there is nothing wrong with showing that off.

Love the elephants! They're my birth country's national animal and soccer team, and just all around a-mazing.

Also still confused at the strong reactions on AT regarding self-promotion. I'd LIKE to think of most of us here as artists or at least art aficionados and this constant "rubblerubblerubble" mob mentality against self promotion of any kind is just plain weird and pollutant on a site like this.

If your sensibilities are offended by the author plugging his site (when really, he plugged it once--the other mentions were source references), then you have the sensibilities of a crotchety old man and should probably reset that.

Your title's allusion to Mike's Masculine Vintage House Tour is waayyy off!

I like the mid-century chairs you have collected but that bedspread and painting are egregious.

Nothing says masculine like a unicorn bookmark! This apartment has beautiful architecture but I do think Mike needs another year or two to be ready for an AT post. He has some great elements but they just aren't pulled together yet. I would love to see this place in the future. (After you find some dining chairs and something to put your tv on maybe...)

Nothing says masculine like a unicorn bookmark! This apartment has beautiful architecture but I do think Mike needs another year or two to be ready for an AT post. He has some great elements but they just aren't pulled together yet. I would love to see this place in the future. (After you find some dining chairs and something to put your tv on maybe...)

I like this place, it's funny, personal and interesting - but PLEASE take down that gross picture on the wall behind the bed! o.O
And it sure doesn't look as contrived as do other houses/apartments.

Love this and can fully understand the masculine tag - there is "boy" stamped all over this space. I can never understand the bitchiness that lurks in the comment section at AT. My favourite house tours are always the ones where you get a real idea of the person that lives there. Nice job Mike.

Awesome space! I love that it feels authentically masculine rather than what art directors and editors try to sell us as masculine.

I love the industrial feel of it and his use of color is spot on. This place is fun, not too serious, stylish. Also, uber clean! Last, dude is 30, I think it's a pretty fab apt for a 30 yr old.

I think the owner made a great decision in buying this condo-- the modern industrial style has such great potential! And having such an expansive terrace in the city is an awesome privilege. If Mike is interested in making this place as purported "hot" as himself, the potential is certainly there in this property.

I LOVE the broken tooth print. Where did you get it ? It's really sexy. Great apartment, careful and dignified. Really cool !! Totally jealous. Great views from your patio too.

Sometimes less 'stuff' makes what you have really seem special. It's the old gallery trick; remove everything but what you want people to focus on.

I think it works here. I'll bet when people are over, they fill in the blanks perfectly.

Not my style, but appreciate the effect.

I'd love to be able to show the love for a fellow Torontonian but I just can't. Someone mentioned it was "a step above a college dorm" and that is spot-on. Just a bunch of stuff that looks like it came from a garage sale. And that "art " above the bed? who wants to look at that? Sorry, I just don't get this place.

Magnificent. A perfect antidote to the drapes and flounces which sometimes overtake this site. Mike has great taste in art too.

What a lot of negativity here. Mike you need a fuzzy kitten or a little dog perched ever so cutely on your sofa, people would love ya.
Your place is great!

I'm crazy about the broken tooth painting and placement over the bed. From the pics I thought it was a photograph.

Also, the patio is gorgeous. Want.

Aside from your choice in Bed Linens.

BY FAR, my favorite house ever on AT.

Love your eye on the world.

Wonderful concrete walls!

Ah cool, an apartment without the balanced glam and overexpensive "design" stuff. Moahr!

I think the place is great -- would kill for the space and that terrace and view! I like the quirky style -- not a copy of someone else's -- and it's fun! You might want to be nice to your dinner guests and upgrade your dining chairs (?) but I'm sure you can find something that suits your style and doesn't make your guests squirm! I like the philosophy that a place is never "done" -- and keeps evolving.

Some of the commenters are clearly miserable human beings. I think negative comments can be constructive, but leaving comments like you're embarrassed that this apartment represents Toronto and masculinity is so over the top it's ridiculous. It's a representation of a complete stranger's personal taste in furniture and art...that's all.

I think its awesome that he took risks that are receiving such divergent feedback. Even if its not to my taste, its great that he has such a unique style that works for him. As my architecture professors always said, its better to have your critics love/hate your design rather than just say "It's nice/okay".

A. I love that this is TO! Finally some Can.con. :)
B. It's a great space! I would just add in some funky throw pillows (See Maxwell's Daily Find today) and some nice, real plants and it will feel a lot more homey :)

I do like his taste in art, but felt pretty meh about the furnishings. It looks like a neat space, although it's hard to tell what the layout's like from the photography. Hm, no bathroom shot, and very mysterious kitchen views. Not quite there, I guess?

For those saying they are embarassed that this home may be representing them in some way,or that hoping that they are not being associated with this home tour, I am embarassed for you for somehow managing to have both such a low self-esteem and high level of self-importance that would you would tie your self-identity up in someone else's PERSONAL creation. Really? I really hope we just have a bunch of drama queens on AT and there aren't really people out there with these type of delusions.

I really love both the best advice part and the whole apartment- it looks curated to me[I mean that in a good way], and like it will grow more and more beautiful with time. I like how it doesn't look like it's cut from a catalog, it is clearly reflective of someone's awesome taste.

Also, that gun target framed is awesome! Would never occur to me to do that, but it looks really neat.

Looks to me like a work in progress...The apartment is great, the pieces are great, just needs a little more of the colour and style he obviously has...
I do hate the bathroom garbage can though... :(
I LOVE the duvet...It's youthful, fun and bright.
Keep adding...

I liked it a lot. Viewed it twice will go one more time. Had never heard of caviar20 so I don't mind the plug. I like the site. Lovely hanging lamps fixtures. Where's the bathroom pop art looking towel come from? I echo positive comments on terrace and view.

love it mike!!!!! i just recently moved into the condo's on queen west and the interior is pretty similar. i have no idea what to do with my concrete walls but i will follow your lead and just art the hell out of them. so jealous of your terrace!!!

Sure wish they made those teak wall systems - Mobilia in the US used to be a great source for them, but they seem to be gone, gone, gone. Best wishes on the evolution of your new home.

Very cool and unique!

Real men make their beds!

I kid, though I think the duvet cover is pushing "playful" a bit far, and seems a bit on the wrong side of silly.

I like it overall, despite it being too sparse for my taste. Living area wants for more color. Oh, and don't talk about your "hot friends" and not at least post photos.

The interior architecture is nice, but there is nothing special about the way this place is decorated. Quirky? Slightly. Unique and/or inspirational? No.

Mike from Toronto, you have fabulous taste.

Train bedsheets, Animal wall decals, heart picture frame, and red elephants are masculine?

My "Alpha Male" older brother claims to have to "drink a beer", or "punch someone" when he leaves my place so he can feel like a man again. I can only imagine what he'd say about this spot.

Love the bones though. Those cement walls are dope.

mike do you need a cook? cause i'd totally move to that flat just for the honor of living, cooking and cleaning for you. ;-)

I loved this house tour -- it screams "boyish" and "fun" and it looks like every single item photographed from that condo (even the unicorn bookmark) has some story or significance behind it for Mike. And where on earth did you get that duvet cover? I want one!!!

The only thing I would suggest: more plants to obscure that amazing view of downtown T.O and the CN tower. :P There's too much of bleak cement walls and not enough of nature.

i love it! who did the blue stripe monster painting in the living room?

Hi Mike, I love your place. Especially the bedroom. Do those doors slide shut? Genius. Although, I must say the art over the bed gives me the creeps. I already have nightmares about my teeth falling out so could not sleep under that.

I love the art in the dining room and would like to see more graphic art. This is your first place? You've done a great job.

I have one comment regarding photographing of vignettes. Did you watch Design Star. Genevieve Gorder gave some great advice when it came to hosting: She said to establish the larger space and then hone in an the accessories. Seeing them out of context is rather boring, as the reader is forced to wonder how they fit. But, if you see the larger room, you may want a close up of something in the room that is intriguing.

Gee, I think you've done a fabulous job so far.

I really don't get many of the comments on AT; i.e. gushing over cluttered, cliche riddled spaces, then overly criticizing a space that is unique or (horror of horrors), upscale. I love the fact that you've designed a cohesive space reflective of your personality (and without a cliche in the place, as far as I can tell. :-)

Well said centrd!

I completely agree, a very inviting place. I for one appreciate your art and your bed linen!

A good friend used to live in the building next to your's (judging by your view) and I love that area too!

Masculine mischief sums up your place nicely- stay true to your style!

Love it! Original and unpretentious, what AT seriously needs.

Did the photographer use a camera phone to shoot the photos?!