Chantel Brink

Chantel Brink

July 18, 2024

Elderly Woman Sells Her Perfectly Maintained 1950s Time Capsule Home

It was as if I Love Lucy could have had been filmed in any room. A Toronto woman sold the home she had lived in for 72 years, which had been lovingly and impeccably preserved in everything in the 1950s. Moreover, this time capsule home was found in the Bloor West Village area, not far from the city’s downtown area.

But as the city around it grew, this petite domicile managed to stay largely as it was. The previous owners had moved in around 1942, a time that was defined by war and then its aftermath. The modest two-story, three-bedroom abode was built of brick and stone. Among themselves, local real estate businessmen dubbed it “a pearl that’s been hiding in a shell.”

The time capsule home encompassed the 50’s

The facade was utterly unremarkable and looked like any other in the neighborhood.
Image Credit: Royal LePage

Open fireplaces are featured throughout, once essential for the area’s harsh winters. The owner, who moved to a retirement community, was a former seamstress who fancied herself as something of an interior decorator, although she never dabbled professionally.

‘I’ve always tried to be individual and follow my own style,’ she had said, according to HGTV Canada. ‘I liked soft colors and liked things to match and flow well together. I preferred tone-on-tone to bright colors.’ Metallic wallpaper, baroque prints, gold furnishings, and floral patterns abounded in the house.

A walk right through time when entering this time capsule home

As soon as you entered the hallway, it became clear that an unassuming exterior hid something really special.
Image Credit: Royal LePage

The facade was utterly unremarkable and looked like any other in the neighborhood. Simple, understated, and unassuming, nobody would have guessed what lay behind that front door.

As soon as you entered the hallway, it became clear that an unassuming exterior hid something really special. You’re transported back in time as if stepping into a different era.

The living room

“I’ve always tried to be individual, and follow my style. My favorite colors are pink, purple, and seafoam,” said the owner.
Image Credit: Royal LePage

“I’ve always tried to be individual, and follow my style. My favorite colors are pink, purple, and seafoam,” said the owner. Despite being elderly, she persisted in independently maintaining the home in the recent years.

The dining room

From a beautiful chandelier to stunning ball and claw furniture, one can imagine dining with perfectly polished silverware after a day of work.
Image Credit: Royal LePage

If you have been eyeing the dining room set for the last few minutes, remember that the homeowner’s daughter had already claimed dibs on it! From a beautiful chandelier to stunning ball and claw furniture, one can imagine dining with perfectly polished silverware after a day of work.

Read: Boy Declines Grandpa’s Invite Every Christmas, He Arrives Years Later and Finds a Ruined House – a Short Story

The kitchen

The kitchen was equipped with an original 1950s Moffat stove, which was still in perfect working order.
Image Credit: Royal LePage

The kitchen was equipped with an original 1950s Moffat stove, which was still in perfect working order.

The breakfast nook

This breakfast nook, along with the entire house, had the potential to serve as an ideal setting for a retro movie.
Image Credit: Royal LePage

This breakfast nook, along with the entire house, had the potential to serve as an ideal setting for a retro movie.

The second-floor landing

Indeed, those are wrought-iron chairs and tables — embodying the timeless design of the twentieth century, a style seldom encountered in today's furnishings.
Image Credit: Royal LePage

Indeed, those are wrought-iron chairs and tables — embodying the timeless design of the twentieth century, a style seldom encountered in today’s furnishings. The color scheme, perfectly intact makes one think of a child’s dollhouse.

The primary bedroom

Due to the harmonious tone-on-tone style, the bedroom maintained a regal appearance throughout the years.
Image Credit: Royal LePage

Due to the harmonious tone-on-tone style, the bedroom maintained a regal appearance throughout the years.

The second bedroom

As evident, she certainly had a creative spree with the guest room!
Image Credit: Royal LePage

One aspect the daughter recalls about her mother’s taste is her father’s request, “You can decorate other rooms however you want, just please no pink in the master bedroom.” As evident, she certainly had a creative spree with the guest room!

The third bedroom

The third bedroom has been decorated to embody a sewing studio.
Image Credit: Royal LePage

The third bedroom has been decorated to embody a sewing studio. With vibrant purples and oranges throughout, period piece furniture has been kept as is. Soft curtains ensure proper lighting throughout all three bedrooms throughout the day.

The family bathroom

The passion for pink is evident in this space, harmoniously combined with matte gold to provide subtle accents.
Image Credit: Royal LePage

The passion for pink is evident in this space, harmoniously combined with matte gold to provide subtle accents. It exudes the pure style and sophistication of this time capsule home.

The downstairs bathroom

The interplay of lilac and peach in the downstairs bathroom creates a flawless composition, with not a single element out of place.
Image Credit: Royal LePage

The interplay of lilac and peach in the downstairs bathroom creates a flawless composition, with not a single element out of place.

Even the basement exudes the image kept in this time capsule home

The basement was transformed into a relaxation room where one could sit at the bar, play some poker, or warm up by the fireplace.
Image Credit: Royal LePage

The basement was transformed into a relaxation room where one could sit at the bar, play some poker, or warm up by the fireplace. If guests had an especially good time, they were welcome to spend the night on a cozy couch.

The home was originally put on the market in 2014 with a listing price of $699,000, so who knows whether it was ever sold, what happened inside those walls, and whether it even stands today. All we know is, time capsule home was a perfect example of how much love and patience went into preserving a little slice of history and we’re grateful for it.

Keep Reading: Susan Boyle Still Lives in Her Childhood Home. Take a Look Inside

Sources

  1. The impeccably maintained ‘time capsule’ home straight out of the 1950s that has been seamstress’s home for last 72 YEARS.” Daily Mail UK. April 12, 2014
  2. This Incredible ’Time Capsule’ Home Hasn’t Changed At All For Over 72 Years.” Design You Trust