27 Albert Avenue, Toronto

There's a house by the lake, nestled under a thick crust of snow next to a towering pine. I might have been enchanted by the setting alone, but that curved wooden door and the charming boxed front window pulled me in closer. I took a peek inside and had to catch my breath. The perfect front hall, with its vestibule and wooden floors leading the way deeper inside. The living room had me craving a book-I could already feel myself curled up by the fireplace, sipping tea and losing myself in the pages. The dining room was generous and echoed with the spirit of a thousand late nights: old vinyl spinning, wine rings on the table, the sound of dishes clattering and friends singing off-key. Mark my words, I was genuinely impressed with the kitchen-fresh and modern but with soul. For a moment, I swear I could smell fresh sourdough baking. I snuck upstairs and paused at the door of the primary bedroom. Vaulted ceilings here?! Deceptively large and quietly beautiful in its simplicity. The secondary bedrooms drew me in just the same-familiar creaks in the floor, space for my people, little voices whispering between rooms over 100 sleepovers. Is that glow-in-the-dark stars on the ceiling? Call me old-fashioned, but I love a clawfoot tub-deep, solid, holds the heat-and this bathroom has a special feel. I definitely feel at home here. A quick visit to the lower level and I'm actually impressed. As clean and orderly as they come at this stage, and you can see the current owners love this place-it shows in the way they care for it. The separate entrance comforts me too. Maybe Mom could have her own apartment down here one day. Gosh, maybe I'm getting ahead of myself. Look at the yard-lovely and fully fenced for Henry (my wiener dog). The garage gives me Lake Huron vibes for some reason. Something brought me here. This feels like home. Walk to the lake, TTC, Mimico GO.