Country Homes
A Fine Vintage: This Inviting Home Is A Lesson In Mastering The Mix
Published on December 3, 2024
Artist, Designer and Entrepreneur Christine Flynn’s home was originally published in our November 2023 holiday issue.
A rustic farmhouse deep in the countryside — that was Christine Flynn’s original vision for her family’s home in Prince Edward County, Ont. But it wasn’t exactly what her husband, Niall Flynn, had in mind. “He wanted to be in Picton for our boys and to be able to walk to everything,” says Christine, an artist, designer and entrepreneur.
So in 2019, Christine, Niall, their two kids and the dog, Charlie, made the move from Toronto to Picton, where they had bought a three-bedroom, two-bathroom century house. The solution for satisfying Christine’s country cravings? She let the decorating do the work. “Giving the house farmhouse style was a great compromise,” says Christine.
Over three months, Christine and Niall embarked on an initial reno, giving the 1920s house “a softer flow” by removing doors and adding arches. They also had a local carpenter replicate the original crown moulding throughout. The next year, when the couple took on the bigger projects, they enlisted the help of Christine’s friend, designer Jenn Garnett of Jenn Garnett Design in Toronto. “I trust her taste and vision implicitly,” says Christine. “She helped figure out the bathroom and kitchen layouts, and was a sounding board for our ideas. She also lent a hand with all the decisions that come with renovating.”
The season is a golden excuse for Christine to do what she does best: tinker and play — with intention. “I love that a home is never finished,” she says. “I change things all the time: I rearrange vignettes, change wall colours, bring in new art and unearth new antiques. It’s all part of the fun!”
The front porch is decorated with a mix of seasonal greenery, pampas grass and dried hydrangeas from the garden.
Like most Toronto transplants, Christine fell in love with Prince Edward County after spending summer weekends there. The area has seen an influx of creative people in recent years and, as an artist, Christine felt an instant kinship with the locals. Deeply invested in the community, Christine (pictured) co-created businesses such as local bar The Russ & Co. and dispensary Fridays Cannabis. Her fine art photography has also been exhibited at a gallery in Picton. “There are like-minded folks here from all walks of life, creating a melting pot of entrepreneurs, foodies, artists and creatives,” she says. “Being close to the water with countless breweries and wineries is just an added bonus.”
Vintage trophies and glassware create an intentional vignette atop an antique reeded cabinet.
Black-painted stairs contrast with the crisp white walls in the entry.
The hallway design was inspired by a trip to Provence. “Our hotel walls were covered in gorgeous shades of dark blue and green,” says Christine. “Those colours are the perfect backdrop for gold frames.”
When Jenn and Christine designed the new kitchen, the jumping-off point was a vintage pie cupboard that was big enough to hold dishes and serveware, allowing Christine to forgo upper cabinets. Instead, a Verias Green marble shelf wraps around the space. “I use it to display vintage art, clay vases and various curiosities,” she says. The stone echoes other moody colours in the home, while the soft pink cabinets and white ash island provide contrast and warmth.
Charlie, in the thoughtfully eclectic kitchen, with its pale pink cabinets, moody stone and white ash island. Gorgeous Verias Green marble is the star of the show.
Christine installed a vintage peg rail to show off the flowers she forages from neighboring fields.
The overall farmhouse aesthetic mingles with Christine’s collection of eclectic art. “To keep things balanced, I integrated contemporary art throughout the house, which stands out beautifully mixed in with old oil paintings,” she says.
In the breakfast nook, green velvet armchairs, and a woven rug and light fixture have an indoor-outdoor feel.
An oversized vintage mirror — a special piece Christine has had for years — brings elegance to the dining room.
Rustic yet polished, with an inviting mix of vintage and modern elements, the house has an amber glow — think warm wood furniture, rich ochre hues and touches of brass and gold. When it comes to decorating for the season, Christine’s curated displays say “holiday” without screaming it. Foraged evergreens are layered with conifers and her favorites, cedar and eucalyptus (“they smell incredible”).
The living room mantel is dressed with whatever she can find outside — this year, it’s a mix of pampas, spruce and brown eucalyptus. “I added a string of gold mercury glass for sparkle — ’tis the season, after all — and completed the mood with my Foggy Montauk artwork above.” A magnificent Fraser fir festooned with pampas grass adds drama in the dining room.
During the holidays, the main floor becomes a hub for informal entertaining. “It’s a rotation of cocktail soirées, game nights and casual hangs with bubbles by the fireplace, all set to an ever-present aroma of fresh homemade baked goods,” says Christine. A County Christmas is quite different from the city frenzy, she adds. “It feels way more in line with what the season is about. We’re rediscovering the pleasures of spending quality time with family, entertaining friends and decorating for the holidays.”
The powder room’s eclectic collection of art pops on the rich grey background. “Dark walls are such a vibe, and I love to fully lean in when I commit to an idea,” says Christine. “There’s nothing like a dark wall to build a mood.”
The principal bedroom and dressing room are divided by French doors.
The walls and ceiling of the sleeping area are awash in pale pink, and a pair of rope-net ceiling fixtures connects the spaces.
A salvaged dresser was reborn as a vanity in the ensuite. Black hex floor tile keeps the space from feeling too sweet.
The bath and shower area makes clever use of the sloped ceiling. Marble tile installed in a herringbone pattern is subtle and sophisticated.
Patrick Biller
House & Home
Christine Flynn and Jenn Garnett