Decorating & Design
March 29, 2021
See How A European Vacation Inspired This Family’s Dream Home
Travel may feel like a distant memory of late but, for a fortunate few, like Lisa and her husband, Philip, home is a constant reminder of time spent abroad. “Philip and I did a tour of Europe three years ago and fell in love with the clean lines and homey feeling of Scandinavian interiors,” says Lisa. The couple — who are accountants and have two daughters, Ava, 13, Grace, 10, and a golden retriever named Ollie — was also inspired by a hotel in Warsaw, Poland, that combined traditional and modern styles with a high-contrast palette.
When it came time to build their four-bedroom, four-and-a-half- bathroom home in Kitchener, Ontario, Lisa and Philip worked with designer (and fellow black-and-white enthusiast) Shirley Meisels to bring their Continental design aspirations to life. “I really do love black as a design element,” says Shirley, who’s at the helm of Toronto firm, MHouse. “It doesn’t have to be heavy: it can be there for drama, like in the powder room, for fun, like in the laundry room, or to ground a space, like in the kitchen,” she says.
Interesting materials and unusual applications can be found throughout the sprawling 5,000-square-foot house and every detail has been carefully considered. “I think this project was so successful because the clients had a vision, were very open to suggestions and trusted me and the builder completely,” says Shirley. “That’s how you get the best out of your team, by hiring good people that you can rely on, who have your back and who can help propel your dreams into reality.”
Scroll down to see how a European vacation inspired this family’s dream home!
The arched front door’s sidelights and transom window flood the double-height entry with natural light.
A minimalist sconce adds a soft glow to the black and white entry.
“The black wallpaper and custom metalwork makes it feel like you’re in a restaurant or hotel,” says Shirley of the cloakroom.
Lisa and her husband, Philip, with daughters Ava (standing) and Grace. Ten-foot-high windows and a simple yet impactful light fixture from Montreal ensure the kitchen’s dining area is perfectly lit, day or night.
In the kitchen, Lisa’s favorite space, Shirley came up with a clever solution to ensure the cabinet profiles emulated those found in Europe. “French moldings are more pronounced, so I had our cabinetmaker take existing door profiles and beef them up with extra trim,” says the designer. “The carved quartz island and brass vent hood were also details I fought for, because I knew they would truly make this an amazing space.” (Shirley nearly cried with happiness when both were installed, she says.)
A carved quartz island is the star of the kitchen. “I knew that was the detail that was truly going to make this a standout kitchen,” says Shirley.
Snakeskin-print tile and antiqued mirror give the black wet bar a glam look.
The mid-century modern purple sofa, Barcelona chairs and Noguchi coffee table came from the family’s previous home.
A new wire-netted chandelier reads as sculpture in the dining room.
A patchwork rug and black built-ins amp up the drama in the home office.
The inky black powder room is a departure from the rest of the house, which is lighter. “It feels like a velvet-lined jewel box,” says Shirley.
Shirley took a few inches from the bedrooms to widen the second-floor hallway and make the screens work.
A faux fur throw and textured rug give the principal bedroom a refined coziness.
Brass mirrors and sconces warm up the cool gray fluted vanity.
Soft gray drapery frames the principal bathroom’s dreamy focal point: a sculptural tub with a leafy view.
With its fluted and brass detailing, the dressing table in the principal ensuite echoes the vanity’s polished look.
Careful planning created a space for everything in the couple’s walk-in closet.
Ties organized by color makes getting ready a breeze.
Shirley and Lisa collaborated on Ava’s bedroom, but it was the 13-year-old who got the final say.
Blue-black tile and gold accents look five-star hotel–worthy in the guest bathroom.
A geometric backsplash proves functional spaces like laundry rooms can be fun.
House & Home March 2021
Shirley Meisels