Decorating & Design
An NHL Goalie & A Baker Find Their Sweet Escape In The Suburbs
Published on July 5, 2021
When Maple Leafs goalie Michael Hutchinson married Jenna Hutchinson, he knew she wasn’t going to be a stereotypical “hockey wife.” And he was right. Her busy career running a successful Winnipeg cake shop, Jenna Rae Cakes, meant that she was often at home while he was on the road with the team. And then came her biggest challenge yet: building and decorating their new home.
When they eventually needed more space for their baby, Lilah, 2, Jenna was up for the challenge of building something new with the help of Artista Homes and local designer Jaclyn Peters — a process that ending up being a two-year adventure. Set over three levels, the 2,400-square-foot house is decorated in a relaxed mix of modern style and vintage flair. Jaclyn’s design directive was simple: add some character, make it interesting and keep things warm and inviting.
Michael, in particular, wanted a house that was open and great for entertaining, a place where his kids would want to bring their friends to play. “I’ve been on the road for my whole career,” he says. “This is my 11th year of playing hockey and renting, so to have a home of my own where I can have friends and family over is a dream. I never want to leave.”
Jenna and Jaclyn worked closely together on key design decisions. Many rooms in the house have a more neutral, tone-on-tone base, giving Jaclyn the opportunity to layer in interesting textures, brass accents, and colorful rugs, throws and pillows for a warm and inviting look. And with baby number two on the way, nothing is too precious. With easy-care quartz counters, washable fabrics and engineered white oak flooring throughout, everything can stand up to a growing family. “My goal is always to make a home feel lived in,” says Jaclyn. “This house looks like it has a history, even though it’s a new structure with all-new furniture.”
According to Jenna, they’re staying put for the foreseeable future. “No matter where Michael’s career takes us, this will always be our home base,” she says. “I can’t ever see leaving this house, my twin sister or our business.” With a house like this, there’s no better treat.”
Scroll down to see more of this warm and welcoming family home!
The chic living room is surprisingly kid-friendly with easy-care rugs and flooring, durable fabrics and soft furniture.
The couple relax in their living room with Lilah and Fran, their French bulldog.
A row of pendants illuminates the 14-foot-long kitchen island clad in quartz with a waterfall edge, and dusty blue cabinets add cool color. “I love cooking, and I’m not always the neatest,” says Michael with a laugh. “The oversized island gives me room to spread out and we can entertain people at the same time.”
A custom wine wall and bistro-style stools strike a European note in the kitchen. “It had to be beautiful, functional and a showpiece, given Jenna’s baking career,” says Jaclyn.
The handcrafted Lacanche range from France is a striking showpiece.
The live-edge dining table is custom-designed to have a modern Parisian look.
A traditional mirror softens the clean lines of the modern buffet in the dining room.
A built-in bench creates a cozy vignette in the corner of the living room. The stairs are clad in white oak, mirroring the flooring throughout the house.
Bold wallpaper is wrapped around the main-floor powder room to vibrant effect.
Perfect for catching the game, the basement has a mix of warm textures and rich fabrics. A plaster fireplace surround adds a traditional element.
An upstairs landing that overlooks the front yard does double duty as an office.
The bookcase in the office showcases finds from local shops as well as the couple’s collections from their travels.
The sunny upstairs laundry room has ample storage for extra towels and linens.
Lilah’s room features delicate pink accents and a vintage-style mirror.
With the couple expecting another daughter, the nursery is pretty in pink.
“Michael liked the idea of a hidden room,” says Jaclyn. “When closed, the ensuite door blends seamlessly into the wall, concealing the principal bathroom.”
The principal bathroom’s vanity is the same color as the kitchen cabinets.
Large-format porcelain tile on the walls and floor surrounds the freestanding tub, with black accents in the fixtures and art anchoring the elegant space.
Ariana Tennyson
House & Home June 2021
Jaclyn Peters