Country Homes
Tour A Young Couple’s Modern Farmhouse Bungalow
Updated on January 8, 2024
Sarah MacDonald is a soprano. Not a “Soprano” — the other kind. The former opera singer, who’s belted out the Canadian anthem at Toronto Blue Jays games, has lots to sing about these days: she and her husband, Jason MacDonald, have just put the finishing touches on their beautiful new bungalow. “It’s the first house we’ve built together, so it’s special,” says Sarah of the four-bedroom, 1,950-square-foot red brick and limestone home in Lindsay, Ont., the quaint town where the high school sweethearts grew up. The couple lives there with Lily, their French bulldog. “She’s a soprano, too,” laughs Sarah of her furry backup singer with a penchant for Puccini.
For the seven-month-long new-build project, Sarah and Jason collaborated with Oshawa, Ont., designer Nicole Thomas of Thomas Interiors + Design. It was a surprising move, since Jason and Sarah are themselves in the design world: they’re the founders and co-owners of Lighthouse Cabinetry, which Jason runs, and furniture and lighting store Light House Co., which Sarah leads. “It’s good to have an extra set of eyes so you stay on course in a renovation, especially when it’s your own project,” says Jason.
Scroll down to step into the couple’s English-inspired home!
“I wanted the foyer to be layered and cosy,” says Sarah. The Toulon lamp tops the navy console.
The trio created the incredible English-style modern farmhouse kitchen with its face frame cabinets and substantial chopping block, the living room and its black built-ins, and the laundry room. The dynamic mix of lighting and furniture, though, are all Sarah and Jason, pictured next to Lily, their charming French bulldog.
“They wanted an eclectic, vintage-inspired home with modern and English-style elements,” says Nicole of the design brief. Creamy whites and woods are classic, while brass and black accents provide contrast and feel very today. “We love brass and black,” says Sarah. “Our wedding theme six years ago was Gatsby. We’ve always liked that color palette.”
The key to avoiding a too-coordinated feel was to blend elements and layer in different textures. For instance, a pair of saucer-shaped concrete pendants over the island — “Sixty pounds each and a mission and a half to get up,” says Sarah — are organic counterpoints to slick brass hardware. “And we didn’t want flat drywall on the ceiling,” adds Jason. “We did a coffered treatment and, to give it more layers, put in shiplap and faux oak beams.” The fridge and wall ovens are surrounded by white oak cabinets.
The kitchen is intentionally designed like fine furniture, with a variety of hardware styles and finishes. Jason’s detailed hand extends to the cabinets, where the oak-lined cupboard interiors include hidden drawers with gold-toned pulls. And, for a modern wow moment, he installed a Pitt Cooking system that’s integrated into the porcelain counter. “The cooktop’s super easy to clean and it has tons of power,” he says. It’s a good thing, considering this pair loves a shindig.
A gold-toned sink and faucet have luxe style.
While post-lockdown life has meant that work is busy, the couple still finds time to relax in the bungalow — indoors or out. “The double patio doors off the dining area create an indoor-outdoor effect,” says Jason. The deck is a fantastic spot for drinks.
“We were after an eclectic mix,” says Sarah of the living room. Modern leather chairs are paired with a sofa that has ’70s-era cane detailing, while a circular coffee table ties the conversation area together. “To give the ceiling more layers, we put in shiplap and faux oak beams,” says Jason.
The staircase leading to the lower level has a railing stained in black and natural wood tones. A petite stool and textured throws add dimension.
Pops of brass bring elegance and warmth to the powder room. “We love it here,” says Sarah. “We’re five minutes from our shop and showroom, but we feel like we’re in the country, removed from the hustle and bustle.”
Lauren Miller
House & Home October 2022
Me&Mo, Meg Crossley and Morgan Michener
Nicole Thomas