Sunday, June 09, 2013

Dazed and Amazed - Modern Home Tour Toronto

38 Hugo Ave.
This was one of those things I had no idea existed until a friend offered me tickets, but then loved from the first moment I heard about it. Modern Home Tours highlights modern architecture and design in dozens of cities across the U.S. and Canada. The Toronto tour featured six homes, with proceeds benefiting the Red Door Family Shelter. Information about the featured homes was available on the website, as well as a map with driving directions for this self-driving tour (these were also available at check-in at the three will-call locations that also doubled as stops on the tour). Even though you could read up a bit on the homes ahead of time and check out some of the pictures, nothing could prepare you for the actual experience. The homes were stunning and, in most cases, architects were on site to tell you more about the projects and answer questions. They were very generous when it came to sharing information about contractors, city bylaws, and design recommendations, so if you were in the business or were thinking about renovating (or just had a curious mind!), this was a highly recommended experience.

Model of 38 Hugo Ave.
While it is technically possible to do just about anything in the city using public transit, you kind of really needed a car for this one. You could technically do it without a car but it would take you twice as long and would be rather frustrating and tiring. So, for once, I would recommend driving (and to be ready to practice those parallel parking skills...a lot!). Free street parking was available at most stops on the tour (I only had to feed the parking meter once) but the tour was very popular and you ended up following the same group of people around, so sometimes it could be a bit of a challenge to snag a parking spot nearby, since everyone was moving at the same speed and was vying for the same parking spaces. But it wasn't too much of a hassle and I didn't witness any incidents of road rage among the tour crowd. You needed to go to one of the three will-call locations first to get your wristband, but these were strategically spaced out across the city and made it easy to start the tour from there. Signage for the homes was clear and visible and the driving directions excellent, so all the stops were easy to find. There were also slip-on booties available for people who didn't want to take their shoes off inside. Overall, very well planned and I don't have a single criticism to offer the organizers. 

510 King St. East
As for the homes themselves, these were the stars of the show. For those who think all modern homes look the same (i.e. sterile and uninspiring), this would definitely be a major eye-opener. Not only were all the homes on the tour very different from each other, they were also warm, welcoming, visually stunning, and utterly livable. Most of the homes were currently occupied, so you got a real feel of how design functions in real day-to-day life for the homeowners. And there were a few stunning surprises along the way, like the giant 2,500 sq. ft condo in the heart of downtown that I fell in love with (and would buy in a blink of an eye if I had $2,150,000 to spare...which, sadly, I don't, nor would they let me slip my number to prospective buyers *sigh*), or the two 100+ year-old houses on the tour that looked deceiving from the curb but featured stunning additions once you got inside and around the back. Definitely lots of room for inspiration and awe, and it was a pleasant afternoon well spent. While all the hosts were incredibly gracious and welcoming, Jonathan (stop #6) got my personal vote for best hospitality and it was a great note on which to end the tour. If you get a chance, I cannot recommend this whole experience highly enough.

510 King St. East
WHAT: Modern Home Tour Toronto

WHERE: Six locations across the city

WHEN: June 8, 11am-5pm

COST: $30 in advance, $40 at the door

INSIDER TIPS: First of all, get yourself on the mailing list to hear about the next tour. Then, budget lots of time for it. The tour ran from 11am-5pm and you really did need most of that time to go through all the stops and take your time exploring. I got to the first stop just after noon and I was at it until the bitter end. You could technically do the whole tour in less time (and not everyone went to all the stops, either), but if you try to rush through everything, you will miss out on some of the experiences. I was surprised by what I found more than once and it always came from the least likely source.

38 Hugo Ave.
38 Hugo Ave.
38 Hugo Ave.
38 Hugo Ave.
38 Hugo Ave.
38 Hugo Ave.
38 Hugo Ave.
199 Albany Ave. - That's actually a window. Both the glass and the screen disappear.
199 Albany Ave. - The garden here looks like a tamed jungle.
199 Albany Ave. - What the front looks like. Definitely defies expectations.
133 Walmer Rd. - The new addition in the back.
133 Walmer Rd. from the back patio.
133 Walmer Rd.
133 Walmer Rd. - The original part.
133 Walmer Rd. - The original part.
133 Walmer Rd. - Prior to the transformation.
133 Walmer Rd. - From the front.
133 Walmer Rd. - Inside.




















133 Walmer Rd.
133 Walmer Rd.
133 Walmer Rd.
133 Walmer Rd.
133 Walmer Rd.
133 Walmer Rd.
250 Manning Ave.
250 Manning Ave.
250 Manning Ave.
250 Manning Ave.
20 Niagara St. - a.k.a. The place that stole my heart.
20 Niagara St.
20 Niagara St.
20 Niagara St.
20 Niagara St.
20 Niagara St.
20 Niagara St.
20 Niagara St.
20 Niagara St.
20 Niagara St.
20 Niagara St.
20 Niagara St.













20 Niagara St.
20 Niagara St.
20 Niagara St.
20 Niagara St.
20 Niagara St.
20 Niagara St.
510 King St. East
510 King St. East
510 King St. East
510 King St. East
510 King St. East



















510 King St. East
510 King St. East
510 King St. East
510 King St. East
510 King St. East
510 King St. East

510 King St. East






510 King St. East

2 comments:

  1. WOW! Thank you so much for this incredible write-up! I am so glad you had a great time. We'd like to use your blog post (and/or excerpts) in promotions and have it linked on our site -- is that okay? Please email me and yes, sign up for the newsletter and hit us on FB and Tw... we WILL be back next spring! (ken @ modernhometours DOTCOM)

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    Replies
    1. Wonderful news. Will keep an eye out for this next year for sure. And of course, take whatever you need from the blog :)

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