After going through a “period of fantastic difficulty for our family,” she states, Annie McDonald-Johnston along with her husband, Michael Johnston, weren’t expecting a lot of the Toronto rental house that they moved into seven years ago. “I was only thankful for its safe landing,” says Annie.
But as time went by, and the family grew to include girl Lila and son Winston, Annie added layer after layer of texture, moody colors, classic lamps, salvaged furniture and thrift store scores that turned the otherwise dull rental into something such as a well-written tune, with all the tools coming together to make a unique and lasting harmony. Which is fitting, seeing as the couple owns a neighborhood music studio and school.
“My son had his birthday and my daughter started college, and we made a transition into an elongated period of happiness that’s still continuing,” Annie says.
in a Glance
Who lives here: Annie McDonald-Johnston, Michael Johnston, daughter Lila (6) and son Winston (3)
Location: Roncesvalles neighborhood of Toronto
Size: 2,000 square feet; 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, plus a playroom
Jenn Hannotte / Hannotte Interiors
Rich jewel tones and soft, luxurious layers play off an elegant French mirror and natural details from the living room. “It is the place I retreat to with friends, or my spouse, or both when the children are in bed and most traces of them tidied away,” Annie says.
She turns down a terrific lamp or light fixture, and she’s replaced the majority of the light in the house to reflect her personal aesthetic. Large vintage lamps create announcements and on floors, and several have been left handed and brought back to life by Ben Younger in Younger Electric.
Rug, sofa, brass lamps, French mirror: Mrs. Huizenga; cushions, fabrics: West Elm, Ikea, Mrs. Huizenga, classic and handmade; “Wake Up” and “I Love You” prints: Annie Morrison; Paint: Chelsea Gray, Benjamin Moore
Jenn Hannotte / Hannotte Interiors
Annie describes the house as a “rather nondescript century house with good bones.” However, the interior is a lot livelier.
Citing Abigail Ahern among her layout influences, Annie has attempted to adapt Ahern’s doctrine of going dark, producing deep layers and playing with scale and humor.
Jenn Hannotte / Hannotte Interiors
Modern bits, including a white and black Ikea carpet and Saarinen-style tulip seats, combine with much more formal, antique-recalling wood furniture pieces for an elegant, eclectic look.
Small green plates: Anthropologie; espresso cups, saucers: The Arthur; sugar cane: Mrs. Huizenga; golden flatware, wineglasses: West Elm; blue drip glaze pottery lamps: Junction Flea; myrtle tree: Coriander Girl; blue jay under glass dividers: Chief Salvage; paint: Dark Pewter, Benjamin Moore; Shade: Stockholm, Ikea
Jenn Hannotte / Hannotte Interiors
Since the couple owns a music studio, tools are always coming in and out of the house. The dining room used to have 2 pianos, “twice as many as I am comfortable with,” Annie says, “but this one was a lucky find on Craigslist — a classic Heintzman built from the historical Junction neighborhood of Toronto.”
Jenn Hannotte / Hannotte Interiors
A bland kitchen has been amped up using Tanner’s Brown paint by Farrow & Ball; a classic kilim covers tired linoleum; and rather than a breakfast table, Annie opted for this thrifted overstuffed sofa for tea and relaxing which attracts the eye from the out-of-date cabinets.
She also gave an inherited Hoosier cabinet a fresh update with Benamin Moore’s Bird’s Egg paint and ceramic knobs from Lee Valley.
Cushions: classic, Ikea, West Elm; rug, palm tree print, crate: Mrs. Huizenga
Jenn Hannotte / Hannotte Interiors
The furniture in 3-year-old Winston’s room was salvaged from the curb, cleaned up and painted in Day’s End.
Bedding: Stenklöver, Ikea; carpet, lamp: Mrs. Huizenga; pirate print: Rachel Riordan; cellular: Scooter Girl
Jenn Hannotte / Hannotte Interiors
Shape and form rule in Winston’s room; triangles, polka dots, warm and natural textures, and classic elements combine into a complex space for a growing boy.
Mushroom side table: Scooter Girl; bunting: The Paper Set
Jenn Hannotte / Hannotte Interiors
Jenn Hannotte / Hannotte Interiors
In 6-year-old Lila’s room, classic Laura Ashley background is embraced by quite pink paper pom-poms, her favourite dresses plus a tepee she adorned with pussy willows, taking a cue from Mom’s design influence.
Needlepoints: Mrs. Huizenga; tepee: Stylish Baby; bed frame, bedding: Ikea; pirate and mermaid prints: Rachel Riordan
Jenn Hannotte / Hannotte Interiors
Jenn Hannotte / Hannotte Interiors
The playroom on the second floor is big and bright despite the dark, moody walls. Colorful bunting and pastel blues enliven the distance, that’s the busiest place in the house for Winston and Lila.
Paper star lanterns: Ikea; kitchen: Scooter Girl; blossom basket lighting: Mrs. Huizenga; paint: Studio Green No. 93, Farrow & Ball
Jenn Hannotte / Hannotte Interiors
Jenn Hannotte / Hannotte Interiors
A nonworking fireplace is fitted using a chalkboard for the kids to customize, and the mantel is trimmed with handmade garland. Classic artwork adds whimsy with no overtly childish.
Daybed: Ikea
Jenn Hannotte / Hannotte Interiors
Annie is constantly adding to that which she calls the household’s “wall of fame” from the entryway.
Jenn Hannotte / Hannotte Interiors
The entire family gathers on the sofa. As renters, Annie and Michael are cognizant that they might not have the ability to remain in the house forever, but Annie says she is “clinging to the expectation we will.”
“The fantastic benefit of our situation,” she states, “is I can maintain my lofty aligning ideas intact without ever having to come to Earth long enough to contemplate structural or philosophical concerns. I paint and alter light fixtures and generally squeeze in each beloved and comparatively portable item I can.”
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