The Sopranos

The name “Elderslie”, a reminder of the original owner’s Scottish roots, literally means a field of elder trees in Gaelic.

The usual 6ixbuzz cliché would say, Scarborough is rough. Being new to the city, viewing it without the established social media stigma, perhaps there are always flowers for those who want to see them.

On a Sunday afternoon, after dropping off my mother for her performance rehearsal, I finally had a chance to check out this Scarborough gem.

Once belonged to a farming family, so prominent, the street outside has been named after them.

Such successful farmers the family was, instead of the usual brick or stucco façade, expensive granite fieldstones in meticulously organized pattern were used.

The rawness, grey and brown colors of these stones, together with olive green window shutters and white pillars on the verandah, create a color palette that is very comfortable on the eyes.

The tone of the house blends in with its surroundings naturally and effortlessly. Perhaps Elderslie is not named after the trees around it, but rather the concept of the house inhabiting the landscape around it in visual harmony.

This three bay Georgian evokes quintessentially Ontario farmhouse vibe with depth not found in other farmhouses.

This house was built in the 1860’s, also know as William Crawford Family house. It suffered two fires during the 1970’s. It was later restored by the city and opened in 1988 as a community center, situated within Neilson Park.

1575 Neilson Road, Scarborough