Decorating & Design
August 13, 2021
How To Bring Color & Character To An All-White Interior
Mapping out an entirely new home on a tiny cocktail napkin? That’s what happens when a designer is inspired by a client’s openness to change. Cynthia Ferguson had worked on other projects with the homeowner, Sarah White, and Sarah’s 17-year-old son and 24-year-old daughter, even helping them find the lot in Toronto’s Lawrence Park where their new 5,500-square-foot Georgian home would be built. So Cynthia was well aware that the family was craving something different.
Their former home had been traditional, with a formal dining room and living room they hardly used. Sarah wanted their new place to be more relaxed, so Cynthia sketched out an alternative vision (the project’s architect even kept said cocktail napkin for posterity). “Sarah wanted something closer to West Coast living, with a huge room at the back of the house, so everyone could be together,” says Cynthia. “There’s a beautiful backyard and so many windows; it has a real indoor-outdoor feel.”
To maintain the casual Cali vibe, Sarah asked for white walls, but that didn’t mean giving up on color — Cynthia’s strong suit — or special touches that reflect Sarah’s personality. “I was finally able to let go of things that were dated and not the style of this house,” says Sarah, which meant all-new custom furniture and design risks that paid off, big time.
Here’s how Cynthia created this cool yet livable look. Scroll down!
Break Up A Long Hallway With Art
For the 26-foot-long hallway that runs from the front of the house to the back, Cynthia proposed a custom art installation of plaster daisies (the homeowner’s favorite flower) with a green bench underneath. The perch was meant to mimic a picket fence, but it also echoes the petal-like shape of the flowers.
Use Arches As Frames
In Sarah’s study at the front of the house, Cynthia fought for an arched doorway that perfectly frames the plaster fireplace. The clincher was a looping wallpaper that echoes the arch shape and draws the eye into the space. Curvy pink armchairs pick up on the motif and soften the graphic look.
Take The Backsplash All The Way Up
Not only are thin, stained glass tiles an unusual choice, but they’re set in a ladder pattern and run to the ceiling for a dramatic effect. “We wanted something completely different,” says Cynthia. “It became a treasure hunt.” The combination of blue millwork, quartzite counters and white oak has an upscale farmhouse vibe.
Supersize Your Herringbone
“This house is all about unique, personal touches, so we used handmade wide-plank white oak flooring in a herringbone pattern,” says Cynthia. “It stands out without being loud and builds in texture.” The dark blue cabinets contrast perfectly with the warm, honey hue of the flooring.
Develop A Signature Palette
While blue is Sarah’s favorite color, Cynthia found ways to incorporate additional hues such as soft pinks and greens. “We designed and built all the furniture for Sarah,” says Cynthia, who used a stripe of pink on the armchair upholstery. “It makes her smile every time she sits down to read.”
Add Unexpected Elements
This striking pink onyx vanity in the powder room lights up using a motion detector for a surprising glow. Artist Anthony Valin was commissioned to make the plaster mirror, which has an Alice in Wonderland effect.
Mix Dark Cabinets With Fun Patterns
An apple green backsplash, bench and colorful runner lighten up the mood in the main-floor mudroom, which is accessed through the garage. “The cabinets are serious, tall and masculine, so they need a hit of freshness, and an indoor-outdoor rug is great for busy entrances,” says Cynthia.
Repeat Prints For Impact
The exuberant fig leaf wallpaper and fabric on the curvy headboard and lampshades is a lot, admits Cynthia, but that’s exactly what makes this guest room so memorable. “I love using fabrics and wallpapers that match — it’s very Kit Kemp–inspired — and that tall, sculptural headboard ups the wow factor.
Soften Hard Surfaces With Drapes
“There are a lot of hard surfaces in the ensuite, so we added some softness and femininity with pink drapery,” says Cynthia. The pop of color frames the white tub, and the sheerness lets the light shine through.
Go Big With Texture
A channelled headboard and feature wall in luxe wool make the large principal bedroom feel intimate. The cozy upholstered wall treatment breaks up the room’s white walls and delivers impact without being too busy. The pendants were crafted to resemble raw gems.
Upgrade A Shower With An Accent Wall
A stained glass tile accent wall turns a shower into a dramatic focal point in a white bathroom. Glass tile is also used to create a daisy motif, set within Thassos marble mosaic tile, for a rug-like effect.
Vary The Levels
Landscape designer Joel Loblaw dreamed up the backyard’s different planes and the sunken dining area, which creates a sense of intimacy and occasion. “That ability to move up and down, and all the natural elements, such as the stone and fixed wood slats, help define the space,” says Cynthia. Oversized rattan pendants and woven chairs continue the California feel.
Soften Hardscaping By Integrating Plants
Sea oats grass grows in the planter above the pool fountains. The species can handle shade, which is rare for grasses, according to Joel. Viburnum and a serviceberry are planted in front of the fence behind the pool. Upper Algonquin flagstone is used for the pool surround and patio floor.
Donna Griffith
House & Home May 2021
Cynthia Ferguson; Architecture by Spragge + Company Architects; Landscape design by Joel Loblaw