The Natural Order
This impeccable North York estate property encompasses the best of Frank Lloyd Wright’s inspirations and a harmonious flow between indoors and out.
By Julie Gedeon | Photography by Tyler McKeag
A singularly stunning property along a North York ravine fully embraces the natural landscape of a rare 1.38-acre city lot with a home that honours the organic architecture of Frank Lloyd Wright in its seamless indoor-outdoor fusion.
“The homeowner spared no expense in creating this place of his dreams,” says Farima Riahi, a global luxury real estate advisor with Hammond Real Estate Properties, which currently has the property listed for $14.8 million. “What’s so amazing is how absolutely peaceful and relaxing all of this home is in the heart of a metropolitan city.”
Natural stone, brick and wood finishings accompany the home’s numerous expansive windows that admit abundant natural light and offer picture-perfect views of the mature trees encircling the property. The quaint and inviting front of the home conceals the true expanse of its 12,000 square feet of five-star sophistication, which includes six bedrooms and eight bathrooms.
Leading Toronto architect Richard Librach conceptualized the homeowner’s vision for the idyllic retreat at 7 Oxbow Road, appropriately named Everscape. The building was brought to life with superb craftmanship by Richard Little of Urban Innovations Custom Homes. “There is not one detail that wasn’t thoroughly considered,” says Jerry Hammond, the founder of Hammond Real Estate Properties.
All of the home’s wood-paneled windows are a homage to Wright’s approach of inviting nature’s light and lushness into each interior space. “A small circular pond visible from several windows is also a way that homeowners can admire the outdoors with a quick peek outside,” Riahi says. “Especially with the beautiful red koi in this miniature courtyard.”
Fish are featured again indoors within a dual-sided aquarium that adorns the curved wall of a stone rotunda leading to a staircase. Throughout the house, the blonde cabinetry, doors, beams and flooring warm the brown and grey brick and stone walls and walkways so everything feels light, spacious, even airy, while also grounding with all its reassuring earthiness.
Mid-century-inspired furnishings in neutral shades as well as the classic muted yellow, turquoise, purple and intense blue also recall Wright’s era. Pale grass cloth and other subtle wall colourings showcase the mahogany built-in cabinetry. Artistic ceiling inlays are fashioned from dark wood and, in one room, it resembles a beautiful soapstone sculpture. An array of modern pendant lighting adds sparkle and shine to some spaces while recessed ceiling, stairway and floor lighting eliminates shadowy corners. The attention to lighting is further evidenced by how the entire house becomes aglow in a golden hue come nightfall.
While most of the home offers the soothing softness of natural tones, it is not without colourful accents. These are primarily achieved through large, vibrant paintings, as well as patterned window treatments, which stay out of sight unless required. The movie theatre is defined by deep red leather seating and a ceramic wet bar that makes soda and popcorn refills effortless.
The meticulous attention to every detail in the design is further evidenced by the subtle repetition of patterns throughout the home. For example, small ceramic tiles featured in the backsplash of the cinema are echoed in several bathrooms and the laundry room, each in different colours.
Beyond the state-of-the-art cinema, a yoga studio, gym and steam room ensure there’s no need to ever leave Everscape. Entertaining is a breeze with the multiple walkouts to the magnificent backyard oasis with dual barbecues, sunny and sheltered lounging spaces equipped with a flat screen television and fireplace, as well as an exquisite outdoor dining area tucked under a mahogany beadboard ceiling.
Tennis, anyone? The court sits alongside the ravine that provides so much of the estate’s privacy. A basketball court is also nearby for those who prefer to shoot hoops. And most everyone would enjoy a cooling dip in the saltwater infinity pool, of course, followed by some time soaking in the adjacent hot tub. The numerous mature trees make the whole back of the house feel like it’s tucked away in the countryside, far from the bustle of the city.
The ground-level den, pool room and home gym alongside generously proportioned windows is yet another way the home brightens up each day with its interior-exterior synthesis. “You never feel like you’re walking down into a closed basement or dark man-cave, I can tell you,” Hammond’s agent Farid Riahi says.
Visitors are invited to stay in one of three guestrooms, each with its own bathroom, so they feel right at home. “It really is a magnificent property—a rare find because of how it combines utmost elegance with spacious coziness,” Riahi says.