Fred Lum/The Globe and Mail
Some people have skeletons in their closets; Melissa Evans-Lee has one in her bathroom. But you'll never find it. The small, plastic toy is entombed behind drywall, a practical joke played by her husband, John, during a renovation of their 105-year-old semi in Toronto's Trinity-Bellwoods neighbourhood six years ago. To expand the bathroom, they annexed the adjoining butler's quarters and replaced all the fixtures, save for the original claw-foot tub. The result is a luxurious space that doubles as a boudoir. "I use it for putting on my makeup and for reading a book in the bath," says Evans-Lee, marketing director of the city's Bayview Village shopping centre. "The doors open up to a Juliet balcony shaded by trees, making the room feel very relaxed and private."
The bath
"This was original to the house. We had it re-glazed as part of the reno. It's one of my favourite places to hang out in."
The wall colour
"The bathroom was going to be all white, but we found we couldn't live with that, so we painted the walls blue. The shade is Hale Navy from Benjamin Moore."
The sink
"It's from Ginger's in Toronto. It was a chance find, and it fits so well with the rest of the things in the room. I think it's very romantic-looking."
The mirrors
"We found the matching pair at Châtelet on Queen Street West. They really suit the personality of the room."
The chandelier
"It's from Home Depot. It cost $100, but it makes a big impact. We're big believers in mixing high and low elements in a single room. We usually have different taste when it comes to lighting, but this one worked for both of us."
The candelabrum
"This was another lucky find. We spotted it at Visitor Parking, a store in Toronto that no longer exists. It's one of those pieces that you get by being in the right place at the right time."
The perfumes
"I don't really like fragrance. I'm practical about what I wear. Sugar and vanilla is usually a good combo to wear when you need to win. Everyone loves cupcakes."
The vanity
"This is also from Châtelet. It looks like a dressing table, which is why I bought it. It's got a marble top but the base is wood."