Decorating & Design
A Family Home That Evokes The Warmth & Charm Of A Country Estate
Published on May 25, 2021
When you’re married to an NHL hockey player, you move a lot. In Hali MacDonald’s case, her husband, Andrew, had spent a decade as a defenceman for the New York Islanders and the Philadelphia Flyers. When he retired last year, Hali was more than ready to settle down. The self-taught designer wanted their family home — they have two children, Mason, 5, and Sage, 2 — to enjoy the airy lightness of contemporary design and the lived-in comfort of an old world country property. The result is a 5,227-square-foot house in Oakville, Ontario, with East Coast shingle style and interiors that are layered with elegant antiques, statement light fixtures, lush textures, and even an aboveground wine cellar. We spoke to Hali about her inspirations and research process, as well as her unique approach to designing her own home. Scroll down!
“Andrew and I both grew up in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, and the people are warm and welcoming. I think that feeling of warmth resonates here,” says Hali, pictured with her husband and their kids, Mason (left) and Sage.
“I always treat the ceiling as a fifth wall,” says Hali, who used tongue-and-groove panelling and wooden beams to add warmth to the family room. “We chose a lot of natural materials such as wood, stone and metal that have been used in home-building for centuries; they add so much character and warmth to a space,” she adds.
On her inspiration for the formal dining area, Hali says, “I wanted it to feel light and pretty and a bit more feminine than the rest of the home.”
“I also incorporated a lot of antiques — I spent my spare time scouring Chairish, 1stdibs and Etsy,” says Hali. “When I came across something I loved, I bought it, knowing that once the house was built, I would find the perfect spot for it.”
The temperature-controlled wine cellar is adjacent to the dining room.
The kitchen design balances old and new, combining wooden beams and antiqued brass hardware with vintage Calacatta marble counters and light cabinets. The custom vent hood “became the object we designed the whole kitchen around,” says Hali. “I love that it brought an industrial vibe to a more traditional kitchen.”
Hali let the custom-built vent hood and runner shine by toning down the rest of the kitchen with a creamy white scheme. Built-in display shelves (far right) showcase a collection of cookbooks and French ceramics.
This dining area features French doors that lead to the outdoor living space.
A moody palette of wood and leather creates coziness in the den. “I love to bring in more color on the walls in personal areas like the bedrooms, playrooms, and den or office spaces,” says Hali.
Andrew requested a fully equipped home gym and this infrared sauna.
Plenty of storage and hooks for coats make the mudroom as practical as it is welcoming. “We built this house to be lived in,” says Hali. “The dings and marks that happen along the way add to the story of our time in the house and the wonderful memories we’ve made.”
In Sage’s bedroom, soft surfaces and pale colors are complemented by pretty wallpaper and a sleek brass ceiling fixture.
A flowing silk bedskirt and crushed velvet upholstery add a soft, romantic feel to the principal bedroom.
A lavish dressing room includes full-length mirrors, a mix of cabinet styles and a glass-topped center island that doubles as a display case for Hali’s jewelry.
With its Calacatta marble and travertine flooring and nature-inspired chandelier, the principal bathroom is both luxurious and serene.
The home’s extra-wide lot made it a natural fit for Hali’s vision of a traditional East Coast shingle–style home with gambrel roofs. “I’ve always loved gambrel roofs, and that became the starting point for the design,” says Hali.
The backyard has a large swimming pool, outdoor dining area and vegetable garden (not shown).
The outdoor living room has a firepit and comfy woven furniture, perfect for enjoying a glass of wine in the evening.
Alex Lukey (interiors); Angelina Aristodemo Photography & Design (family portrait)
House & Home May 2021
Hali MacDonald, Architecture by Gren Weis Architect & Associates