What: A 1921 addition to the Riverdale Presbyterian Church
Where: Pape and Danforth
Most Sunday mornings, Morley and Franklin are awakened by the muffled sounds of a church choir. Though their five-level unit is in an addition (converted to condos in 2004), their space is connected to the functioning church next door—more than they ever imagined it would be. Along with the singing, their unit includes the building’s old side porch, which means wandering churchgoers often end up poking through the shrubs on their patio, looking for a way in. Inside, the couple displays their large collection of un-Presbyterian keepsakes, including an almost full complement of Hindu gods: “We have them all,” says Morley, “except Shiva, I think.”
Morley and Franklin commissioned the stainless steel island from two young designers who now own JA Architecture Studio. It came in four pieces and was assembled in the kitchen. “This place is so open, the island acts as freestanding, functional art,” says Franklin. “You can see it no matter where you are.”
The portraits are of Morley’s grandparents, Lilian and Charles, on their wedding day in Bournemouth, England, in 1910.
The old Bible, which belonged to Franklin’s family, is the only Christian symbol in the place.
The couple travels extensively for work and has amassed a large collection of exotic masks from Mexico, Tanzania, Indonesia and Venice, among other stops.
Morley’s daughter Sara, a Montreal-based artist, crafted the multimedia piece, titled Death, from a burned door she found in a derelict building in Montreal. It was inspired by the memory of her mother, who died when Sara was young. Morley bought it from a gallery exhibiting her work in 1989.
The large solid oak dining table—a replica of a 17th-century refectory table—is from Horsefeathers and was made by Martin Taylor Antiques of Staffordshire, England. “It’s the centre of the house,” says Morley. “Everything happens here: dinners, condo board meetings, discussions with students.”
You missed the Church off Roncesvalles – on Sunnyside. A favourite.
November 2, 2011 at 2:30 pm | by Jessicasorry! I stand corrected. Number 4!
November 2, 2011 at 2:31 pm | by Jessica#5
Victoria Lofts, formerly a Presbyterian Church on Annette in The Junction. Completed and people are moving in now.
November 3, 2011 at 6:21 am | by HeyRedLove, love, love #1.
November 3, 2011 at 6:31 pm | by Davediggeri love the abbey lofts on Sunnyside…I was so excited to see one of the million dollar penthouses a year ago when it hit the market.
November 13, 2011 at 11:11 am | by amy