Redesign of Leaside home a balancing act of old and new

Designing a house to raise kids can be tricky. Good sight lines are essential for keeping an eye on little ones. Having enough space – and separation – is just as crucial for everyone’s sanity.

About five years ago, Dane Jensen and his partner, Hilary Goss, realized they were outgrowing their home. They were raising three kids in a 1,300-square-foot house in Toronto’s Riverdale neighbourhood, and Jensen, an author and motivational speaker, was also working from home in less-than-ideal conditions. “I worked in the basement for nine years,” he recalls.