Tracey & Rob’s Beach Oasis

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.

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.

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)

• 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

• 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

• 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
• 3^rd 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

• 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

• 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

• 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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