Decorating & Design
June 28, 2021
This Modern Home Proves Family Living Can Be Luxurious
Timing is everything. Little did Alexandra Horwood and her husband, Andrew James Labbad, know that the world was about to turn upside down when they bought their new house during the summer of 2019. They had outgrown the semidetached home in downtown Toronto they shared with their two children, Mason James, 4, and Sydney Carter, 2. They wanted more space — indoors and out — privacy, to be close to downtown and the airport, and they finally had it: a five-bedroom house in the leafy, family-friendly Edenbridge–Humber Valley area of Toronto. The two-storey house checked all the boxes on their wish list: room for an office, gym, wine cellar, nanny suite, playroom, home theater, family room, guest bedroom and lots of bathrooms, not to mention a pool and a big backyard with a covered patio that would be perfect for entertaining.
Alexandra and Andrew, who both have demanding careers in finance, immediately hired designer Alyssa Moscovitch-Young of Harper Gray Design to create the home they envisioned. The challenge was to make the space feel warm and welcoming. “Furniture placement was key,” says Alyssa, who chose curvaceous, custom-made pieces that were deliberately proportioned and arranged to define the large, open-concept spaces. Size mattered. “The pieces we brought from our former home looked like dollhouse furniture,” says Alexandra with a laugh.
This is a home designed to balance a luxurious sense of style with carefree family life. “I didn’t want the kids to get hurt while playing,” says Alexandra. “I wanted our home to be a safe space where I didn’t have to childproof everything.” But while true luxury boils down to air, space and light, in the context of a large, light-filled home, it’s color that creates intimacy.
By the end of November 2019, the family had finally moved into their dream home. Three days after the finishing touches were added to the home office in March 2020, the city plunged into lockdown and Alexandra and her husband were required to work from home. “It was perfect timing,” she says. “Who knew that having a Zoom-worthy office would be a priority?” Locked-down living has given this family — like all of us — a chance to reflect and realize what a sanctuary our homes have become. “What’s most important is to be at home in a place that makes you happy,” says Alexandra. “There isn’t a single room in this house that isn’t used and enjoyed. Now, when people ask if our home is still a work in progress, I tell them no — it’s perfect.”
Scroll down to explore this modern family home!
In the entryway, the designer placed a bold painting that reveals the palette of the house.
In a space that was originally divided into two rooms, Alyssa created one cohesive living room, defining the space with coffered ceilings accented with grasscloth, a 24-foot-long rug and plenty of plush seating.
On the other side of the living room, Alyssa used gold-framed mirrors to break up the space and add wow factor.
“We wanted the interior to be intuitive, comfortable, welcoming, have color and be timeless,” says Alexandra, who chose Alyssa (seated) partly because of the rave reviews she had received from previous clients, but also because of her youthful design aesthetic: a confident mix of classic and unexpected elements that creates a current yet timeless look.
Some of the smartest design choices aren’t about what you see but what you feel: sumptuous velvet chairs, grasscloth on the ceiling and soft wool drapery lend the dining room an intimate vibe.
The house’s original kitchen didn’t need any design help, as it fit Alexandra’s desire for a “functional workspace, lots of counter space and a large island with counter stools” to a tee.
Open to the adjacent kitchen, the family room is a gathering spot perfect for relaxing with guests while the cook tackles dinner. How sweet is the velvety ottoman (and matching coffee table) the color of a pink macaron?
Alyssa set out to design a calm, organized home office where it’s easy to focus. Files and the printer are tucked away in the deep cabinets.
Amid macramé and houseplants, a miniature tent turns Sydney’s room into a fun hangout. Alyssa designed the built-in window seat with storage for toys and books beneath.
The trick to choosing a wallpaper like the one in Mason’s room? “Pick one that’s fun — not particularly boyish or even childlike. That way, they won’t grow out of it,” says Alyssa.
Smaller-scale patterns on the drapery and accent pillows add color and character, and juxtapose a wallpaper pattern with lots of wide-open negative space.
“The rug was the first thing we found, and we loved it,” says Alyssa of the principal bedroom’s floor covering. “Inspired, we pulled rich colors from it for the walls and drapery.” Dark, moody shades of wine and plum create an enveloping, soul-restoring retreat at the end of a busy day.
Alex Lukey
House & Home June 2021
Alyssa Moscovitch-Young, Harper Gray Design