RIVERDALE

Contractor: CGGC Contracting

Structural: Kieffer Structural Engineering

Photos: Nanne Springer

When a growing family of American ex-pats outgrew their east-end semi, they seized the rare opportunity to buy the house next door. Though tired and in need of care, it offered good bones—and the space they were craving. Working closely with the homeowners, we reimagined the layout, adding new square footage only on the third floor, where a light-filled principal suite with a dressing room and ensuite now sits above the treetops. The second floor was reworked to create two kids' bedrooms, a den, and a shared bath. On the ground floor, a new rear mudroom and powder room offer practical access for a family that parks at the back, with entry from both sides of the house. Below, the basement was lowered to make space for a guest suite, full bath, and a cozy kids’ zone. With light as a design priority (fitting for these devoted plant parents) the home is bright, open, and full of personality.

A modern, dark gray, three-story house with a front porch, large windows, and interior lights on, situated between two similar houses with trees and a small garden in the front.
Bright modern kitchen with a dining area, wooden staircase with metal railing, light hardwood floors, white cabinetry, and a black kitchen island.
Modern entryway with a wooden door, a full-length mirror, and a built-in wooden bench with shoes. Light-colored walls and ceiling, gray tile flooring, and a window with a gray sofa and blanket in the background.
Bright sunlit mudroom with a black cat sitting near a wooden door, plants in pots, a striped rug, and a bench, with a view of a small outdoor space.
The image shows a modern kitchen with white cabinets, a white countertop, a stove, a stainless steel range hood, a bowl of apples, a marble backsplash, and a blue vase with pink and white flowers in the foreground.
Modern kitchen with white cabinets, a dark gray kitchen island with seating, pendant lights, and a sliding glass door leading outside.
A person with dark hair, dressed in a dark top and light blue jeans, is walking barefoot in a modern living room, holding a bouquet of flowers. The room features a staircase with wooden steps and black railing, a tall wooden bookshelf filled with books, a light wood-paneled wall, and a gray sofa with colorful pillows.
Modern living room with a colorful framed painting on the white wall, a black electric fireplace, a potted plant, and a light-colored plush carpet.
Interior view of a staircase with white walls, a skylight, and a window showing greenery outside.
Interior image of a staircase with wooden steps and black metal railings, adjacent to a part of a wooden dining table with green plant in the foreground, white walls, and a window providing natural light.
Modern bathroom with a wooden vanity, white countertop, glass shower enclosure, skylight, potted plants, and minimalist decor.
Back view of a two-story house with a small wooden deck, stairs, and white siding, surrounded by trees and neighboring houses.
A modern, dark blue three-story house with large upper-floor windows and a wooden deck with stairs leading down to a stone pathway. The house has outdoor lighting, trees on both sides, and a cozy interior visible through sliding glass doors.