This traditional dining room with soaring ceilings and panelled walls is ideal for hosting large family gatherings. OPPOSITE: Layering patterns adds to the elegant, soothing palette in the living room. PLANNING MAKES PERFECT STORY MELISSA CAMPEAU PHOTOGRAPHY SANDY MACKAY We always joke, whenever we drive into the city, we can feel our blood pressure going up, says the homeowner with a laugh. And when we head north again, as soon as we hit Bloomington it starts to go down. Continued on page 32 30 ourhomes SUMMER 2017 ourhomes SUMMER 2017 31
The Stouffville setting for this newlybuilt family home by Estate Homes Developments Inc. was never in question for these nature-loving homeowners. We didn t really want to be anywhere else. It s so calming to be surrounded by trees and fields. Our boys are 13 and 11, so it s great that they can venture out to explore and hike in the forests surrounding the property. The home s layout was a series of strategic decisions. Our family travels down to Naples, Florida, on vacation every year, and we come across some really beautiful homes that are quite different not typical at all, the homeowner says. They seem to be more thoughtful in their design and building choices when it comes to accommodating a family. In terms of style, the homeowners knew they wanted a home with an English country feel. To us, that style is ideal in this kind of setting. It balances out the exterior surroundings, and the outdoors and indoors just blend together. The couple did their research, so design choices came easily. We knew the stone and reclaimed brick combination we wanted to use to give emphasis to the true style of the home, explains the homeowner. There was a lot of planning before we started, so the building process was actually quite smooth. Plenty of interesting details blend beautifully in this English country inspired kitchen. BELOW: The apron sink overlooks the garden. TOP: A charming English country dining area expands the kitchen. LEFT: The two-sided fireplace warms both the kitchen and great room areas. ABOVE: Aida Fantilli of Villa Kitchens & Fine Cabinetry worked with the homeowners to strike just the right balance in their kitchen. RIGHT: The laundry room is tucked away but still easily accessible on the main floor. The kitchen is exactly how the family pictured it, but not quite like any other house they d seen before. Tired of the white kitchen they had in their previous home, they wanted casual, classic elegance with contemporary elements. To get the look they were after, the couple collaborated with Aida Fantilli from Villa Kitchens & Fine Cabinetry. When we first brought our ideas to Aida, we indicated the wood to be used must have visible knots, says the homeowner. They sourced some knotty alder to achieve the look. The biggest challenge in this kitchen had to be the use of the alder wood, says Aida. It s not typical and not readily available, so we had to get a lot of the mouldings and parts custom made. In line with a classic English country feel, the homeowners designed an oversize precast stone range hood and chose Calacatta Gold marble countertops from Ciot Habitat. Continued on page 34 32 ourhomes SUMMER 2017 ourhomes SUMMER 2017 33
PHOTO: KATELYN COX ABOVE: Picture-perfect, the home blends easily into its lush surroundings. TOP: Hardwood set in a herringbone pattern adds warmth and character to the foyer. TOP RIGHT: Seating is strategically placed to curl up in front of the cosy two-sided fireplace. OPPOSTE: Neutrals on the walls and floor make it easy to layer in textures and patterns for interest. Daring to be different, the natural wood stain of the cabinets goes against what s trending. Most people are going with white or a darker stain, so it s refreshing to see something old in a very new setting with more modern s, says Aida. I think this is what makes this kitchen so spectacular. The result is a transitional kitchen with a timeless feel. We really wanted something different, something that suited our tastes, says the homeowner. And Aida really rose to the occasion. It was a great collaboration. Much like the kitchen, the adjacent great room is also the result of thoughtful planning. A two-way fireplace offers a little separation between the two spaces, and walkways on either side keeps the area somewhat open. Cathedral ceilings, an arched window and french doors make the space open and airy, and offer views of the beautifully landscaped exterior by Bouwmeister Inc. The property offers plenty of privacy, so windows remain unadorned to highlight the custom trim work and preserve the sweeping views of the outdoors. They also wanted the room to be cosy a potentially challenging goal in a space with high ceilings and oversize windows. Panelling the ceilings and painting them the same colour as the trim added architectural interest and warmed up the space. We also chose our paints carefully, picking colours that were fresh but still warm, says the homeowner. Continued on page 37 34 ourhomes SUMMER 2017 ourhomes SUMMER 2017 35
Many of the furnishings by Perri Fine Furniture were placed strategically to help manage the flow of the room. Layering light sources and creating conversation areas sets the mood and creates symmetry. When decorating, we incorporated accessories with different textures, colours, patterns and finishes, the homeowner says. I m in love with gold and bronze tones, which you see throughout our home. Conservation-grade white oak flooring throughout ties everything together. Our goal was to have the flooring stand out, featuring the moderate graining pattern and knotty details, connecting it to the cabinetry throughout the home. In the foyer, the homeowners played with the flooring design, choosing a herringbone pattern to add visual interest. When you first walk in to the house, you are welcomed by the tasteful details of the home. You see the flooring pattern, the cathedral ceilings, the panelling in the hallway and the trim work. Continued on page 38 ABOVE: The bedroom blends intricate wood details with soft, dreamy fabrics. FAR RIGHT: The rawness of the pickets and rails is a lovely contrast to the antique brass found throughout the home. RIGHT: The pretty powder room welcomes guests. OPPOSITE: The exquisite white en suite is accented with antique touches. 36 ourhomes SUMMER 2017 ourhomes SUMMER 2017 37
All of those details represent decisions strategic ones by the homeowners to create the look and feel they hoped for. We tend to mostly agree on our choices, says the homeowner, on working with her husband. The marble, the moulding, the cabinetry and woodwork, everything we chose was meant to reflect simplicity and timelessness. She adds, We re good partners, and I think, with our decisions, we struck the balance we d hoped for, and we have the country estate in the woods we always imagined. OH ABOVE: Beautiful blue accents add a hint of colour to this bedroom. TOP RIGHT: Architectural details on the ceiling in this bedroom provide visual interest. RIGHT: A Jack-and-Jill bathroom connects two bedrooms. Showroom: 3232 Steeles Avenue West, Unit # 6, Concord, Ontario 905-669-7028 www.villakitchens.ca 38 ourhomes SUMMER 2017