Tracey & Rob’s Beach Oasis

Justice Darragh
Justice Darragh
Justice is a Tour Contributor and photographer based in Toronto.
updated Sep 20, 2019
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Hallway with glass partitions, wooden floor, and staircase, featuring a wall of framed photos.
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Name: Actor & voice over instructor Tracey Hoyt, and medical instrument supplier Rob Marshall
Location: The Beach, Toronto, Canada
Size: 1,300 square feet.
Years lived in: 9 & 6, owned.

Perched above a bustling Toronto beach community, Tracey & Rob’s lakeside home is not your average condo. Nine years ago, inspired by the work of Hugh Jacobsen and Howard Backen, Rob transformed a typical condominium box into an airy coastal oasis. His main objective in the design of the space was to bring his favorite elements of the tranquil shore indoors, providing a perfect retreat from their hectic schedules as well as creating a welcoming sanctuary for his three children.

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Natural light floods each room in their multi-level nest, giving the mix of industrial pieces, clean lines and rich woods a weightless radiance. Climbing from one level to the next, it’s difficult to choose a favorite floor. While each of them offer a different intriguing layout, all three invite guests to stay a little longer. Visiting Tracey & Rob’s world for an afternoon is like catching a glimpse of the California coast, from an unlikely northern vantage point.

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Apartment Therapy Survey:

My Style: Urban Beach House.

Inspiration: Hugh Jacobsen, Samuel Botero, Howard Backen, Shelton & Mindel.

Favorite Element: The stacked layout of the 3 floors.

Biggest Challenge: Working from a series of drywall cubes and trying to decide where to start.

What Friends Say: “Is Rob an interior designer?” “Is he available to come look at our place?”

Biggest Embarrassment: The “house of cards” closet in the kitchen, which holds the heating/air conditioning unit, coat spillover, cleaning supplies, wrapping paper, appliances, etc.

Proudest DIY: Rob’s design of the stair railings.

Biggest Indulgence: Adding the extra bedroom above the open kitchen.

Best Advice: Don’t rush. Do one room at a time so you don’t make design mistakes. It’s an evolution.

Dream Sources: Elte. Hardware. Gingers. (Toronto)

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Resources of Note:

PAINT & COLORS

  • 3rd floor: Wall & Book Shelf – Benjamin Moore, Color 0C118 Snowfall White

  • Wood stain on doors, stair railings, boy’s bedroom dressers, desks, architect table, etc. – Minwax Oil, Color A 50/50 blend of Gunstock & Ipswich

ENTRY

  • Pine farmhouse storm window/mirror – Snoopers Antiques in Campbellville, ON
  • Tiger maple antique wardrobe – Antique Shop in Elora, ON
  • Maple architect table – Office Supply & Shop Furniture, Toronto
  • 2 painted industrial chairs – eBay.com

DINING ROOM/KITCHEN

  • Hidden board & batten doors – custom by Mitchell Lofts
  • Open pine floating shelves – custom by Mitchell Lofts
  • Blackboard – blackboard paint on plywood, pine frame custom by Mitchell Lofts
  • 3rd bath converted to pantry – custom by Mitchell Lofts
  • Pine table – custom made by John Poole Antiques, Horseshoe Valley, ON.
  • 6 Emco navy chairs – Restoration Hardware
  • 2 industrial lights with Holophane lights – Hardware Interiors
  • 2 oak chairs, from Rob’s late grandfather’s Toronto law office, circa 1920’s

BOY’S ROOM

  • 2 maple drafting tables – kijiji.com, stained by Rob
  • Floating shelves – custom by Mitchell Lofts
  • Skateboards and surfboards as useable art.
  • Dressers – originally Ikea, but covered in stained maple plywood to match the rest of the condo

BOY’S BATHROOM

  • Wall & ceiling subway tiles, 3” x 6” – Home Depot
  • Pine blanket box – Antique Shop in Bolton, ON
  • Old storm window – custom made into a medicine cabinet
  • Industrial electrical warehouse lights – Queensway Electric Supply Co.

GIRL’S ROOM

  • Bed doubles as a day bed – Ikea

  • Linens – Beddington’s

MASTER BEDROOM/SITTING ROOM

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  • Teak & glass table filled with river pebbles – Antique Market, Port Carling, ON
  • Painting – “Mercyscape” by Rachelle Kearns, Toronto artist (commissioned)
  • Pipe canopy bed – made by Rob, paint Tremclad, Fire Red
  • Louis Vuitton Cup poster – Razzia Posters NYC, framed at The Frame Maker,Toronto.
  • Integrated bookshelves – custom by Mitchell Lofts
  • Bedding – Au Lit Fine Linens, Pottery Barn, Beddington’s
  • Decorative pillows – Pottery Barn, Hardware Interiors
  • Throw blankets – The Bay
  • Couches – custom by Urban Manor, slip covers by Potato Skins

MASTER BATHROOM

  • Antique pine chest of drawers converted into a sink – chest purchased in Bracebridge, ON, bowl sink Toto from Taps Bath

  • Pebble floor and shower floor – Ciot

  • Industrial electrical warehouse lights – Queensway Electric Supply Co., Toronto

STAIRS

  • Railings – designed by Rob, made by Vangro Welding

Thanks, Tracey & Rob!

(Images: Justice Darragh)

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