Family-Friendly Design & DIY Storage

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In this Episode

How do you mix modern style with warm, kid-friendly spaces and materials? H&H editor Suzanne Dimma finds out as she tours the unique Toronto home of designer Ashley Botten and photographer Christopher Wahl. They converted an old 1930s store turned photography gallery into a urban home full of fun nooks for their two kids to play in and make artwork. See their kitchen with custom hardware and sleek wood accents, a living room personalized with vivid photography, plus simple yet gorgeous bedrooms and bathrooms. Peter Paquette demonstrates how to build a clean-lined and contemporary plywood display shelf that shows off book covers, magazines, art and decorative objects. Plus, Cameron MacNeil offers dining room decorating tips to a reader from B.C., including how to update lighting, create a gallery art wall, accessorize and add warmth underfoot with on-trend hemp rugs.

See sources

Modern Family Home

Kitchen: Cabinet construction, 9 Digits, Bolton, Ont. (905) 951-9599; honed slate countertop, Acme Slate, Toronto (416) 293-3664 or visit Acmeslate.com; range, Viking, visit Vikingrange.com; BDDW bar stools, Martha Sturdy bowl (on counter), Hollace Cluny, Toronto (416) 968-7894, 1-888-968-7660 or visit Hollacecluny.ca; green stool, Kol Kid, Toronto (416) 681-0368 or visit Kolkid.ca; e15 bench, Ingo Maurer light fixture, Moooi mirror, Klaus by Nienkämper, Toronto (416) 362-3434 or visit Klausn.com; pillow (on bench), Erica Tanov, visit Ericatanov.com; small white wall unit in kitchen, construction, 9 Digits, Bolton, Ont. (905) 951-9599; bins, Lovell Designs, visit Lovelldesigns.ca; Kiska Textiles Suzani Vines drapery in Baton Rouge, Primavera Interior Furnishings (to the trade), Toronto (416) 921-3334 or visit Primavera.ca for showrooms across Canada; heart chair, Plan b, Toronto (416) 941-1010 or visit Planboffice.com.

Dining area/family room: Thonet chairs, e15 table, Klaus by Nienkämper, as above; Muuto Raw side table, Hollace Cluny, as above; photography, Christopher Wahl, visit Christopherwahl.com; TV, Sony, visit Sony.ca for retailers across Canada; sofas, custom by Ashley Botten Design, Toronto (416) 898-7399 or visit Ashleybottendesign.com.

Office: Moooi chandelier, Klaus by Nienkämper, as above; drapes, Wesley Seto Design, Toronto (416) 538-3223.

Principal bedroom: e15 bed, Klaus by Nienkämper, as above; bedding, Olatz, visit Olatz.com; Martha Sturdy resin table in Neon Purple, Jielde floor lamp, Hollace Cluny, as above.

Charlie's room: Maarten Baas Smoke chandelier, Klaus by Nienkämper, as above; bed construction, 9 Digits, Bolton, Ont. (905) 951-9599; Les Indiennes bedding, Lucca Fine Linens, Toronto (416) 485-4999.

Kids' bathroom: Wallpaper, Jocelyn Warner, visit Jocelynwarner.com; Kartell Contonibili round table, Quasi Modo Modern Furniture, Toronto (416) 703-8300 or visit Quasimodomodern.com; Starck by Duravit tub, sink, faucet, Taps Bath Centre, Toronto (416) 785-0224, 1-800-263-2976 or visit Tapsbath.com; back-painted glass, Adanac Glass, Toronto (416) 785-6309, 1-800-458-4462 or visit Adanacglass.com; DwellStudio towel, Spotted Zebra, Toronto (416) 944-0251 or visit Spottedzebragifts.com; Artek stool, Ella+elliot, Toronto (416) 850-7890 or visit Ellaandelliot.com.

DIY Display Shelf

All available from Home Hardware

One sheet plywood, 3/4" thick x 42" x 72"
Two 2" x 4" pieces, 86" long
Five 2" x 4" pieces, 38-5/8" long
2-1/2" screws
1-1/2" screws
Power drill
Wood filler
Beauti-Tone Acrylic Primer
Simon Chang Paint Collection for Beauti-Tone, Peter used Pink Tank in a semi-gloss finish
Wall securing hinges