Decorating & Design
January 30, 2017
A Glamorous Home Gets A New Lease On Life After A Flood
Step into this 4,000-square-foot house, with its bleached white ash floors, bright white walls and bold interplay of chocolate and brass, and you’d never guess it was damaged from the 2013 Alberta floods. Homeowners Raechelle and Lorne Paperny and their two teens, 14 and 19, wanted a fresh (and fast) start following the devastation, so they tapped designer and friend James McIntyre of McIntyre Bills, along with Laura Chapman of Richard Lindseth Architecture to spearhead the project. Today, the flood is a distant memory and the newly renovated home is more sophisticated than ever. Raechelle is a passionate patron of the arts, and the eclectic mix of low-key and glamorous details reflects her enduring interest in fashion and culture. Click through to tour the stylish space.
Matching benches paired with large mirrors make the hall leading from the foyer look wider and establish a sense of formality.
An Asian-inspired credenza in the entry conceals a bar.
The living room seating area juxtaposes glam elements, like the burnished drum tables, statement lacquered chairs and dark velvet sofas, with a bold herringbone-pattern cowhide rug. A small collection of books and objects saved from the flood are displayed on open shelves.
Ring stools add playful character to the contemporary kitchen’s flat-front oak cabinets and concealed appliances.
A large, white banquet creates a casual, yet sophisticated vibe in the kitchen’s dining area.
“I like to think about how people dress and apply this to decorating. Imagine a simple suit dressed up with beautiful accessories. The hand-blown, Venetian glass chandelier in the dining room (top left) is like the expensive handbag of the outfit,” says James.
The powder room vanity mimics a piece of furniture with chic brass hardware.
In the study, a round table and mixed seating are easy to reconfigure so the space can serve as a secondary dining room during a party. The table has a concealed pop-up medallion to plug in computers.
Artwork by Angela Grossmann graces the staircase.
Dressy elements like the side chair (a family heirloom) and drapes made from waterproof fabric are luxe touches in the ensuite bathroom.
Colin Way
House & Home October 2016
James McIntyre