City Homes
February 28, 2024
A New House Gets Old Soul From Traditional Wood, Wicker And Wallpaper
This isn’t your grandmother’s wicker. Or her Georgian dining table for that matter because, in the hands of designer Sabrina Albanese, those decorating staples are jumpstarted by wit and a live-wire palette. In this home in Kleinburg, Ont., Sabrina has given a master class in making the new look old, then look new again. The 4,400-square-foot Georgian-style house, with its classic center hall plan and lavish panelling, could easily pass for a heritage property, even though it was newly built in 2020 by Sabrina’s sister and her husband. The decorating continues the theme: though the vibe is traditional, it also feels incredibly new and fresh. “I took my sister’s inspiration and brought the house to life, creating a color story for every room,” says Sabrina. “There’s pattern, chinoiserie and French-style wallpaper. But as colorful as it is, I also wanted it to remain elegant.”
Embracing texture, color and layers defines this decorating look, with whimsical elements grounded by mid-tone woods and plenty of wicker. “I use wicker in all my projects, even modern spaces,” says Sabrina. “It’s timeless and looks great anywhere.”
This designer’s free-spirited decorating has a buoyant creativity that’s smile-inducing. “Combine patterns and pull out accent colors,” she says. “If there’s a shade in a painting I love, I’m going to repeat it in a textile. It’s about finding threads and weaving them throughout the entire house — everything intertwines.” And guarantees joy.
The wicker sideboard adds picnic-fresh appeal to the traditional mouldings and checkered floor.
In the center hall, the red hue in the gingham upholstery is echoed in the art above.
In the living room, green walls, patterned roman blinds and plush furniture have an inviting, layered feel.
In the dining room, a genteel chinoiserie wallpaper might be the expected choice, but Sabrina’s selection is so electric that the red pagodas are practically 3D, leaping to life off the juicy green background. And that double pedestal dining table may look like an heirloom, but it’s brand-new, as the playful scalloped details attest. “I wanted this house to feel restful and inviting,” says the designer. “My sister, her husband and their two daughters love to have family gatherings — the last thing I wanted was for their home to feel stuffy.”
The bamboo peacock chair was an estate sale find. Chinoiserie wallpaper and silk moiré drapes trimmed with tassel fringe are updated by a fun palette.
The kitchen is just one of the inviting spots for entertaining. Inspired by English style, there’s a cozy fireplace and, smack-dab in the center of the room, a rustic table. The pastoral toile wallpaper appears to be populated by traditional shepherdesses but, upon closer inspection, there’s a cheeky twist — the toile depicts women posing with selfie sticks, clasping headphones or tapping laptops. Burled-walnut drawers, an apron-front sink and mesh cabinet doors break up the creamy lowers.
Cherry blossom wallpaper and grosgrain trim on the vanity skirt keep the powder room from reading too sweet.
To create a serene effect in the principal bedroom, Sabrina layered a range of greens and leafy prints.
The principal bathroom’s custom vanity with louvered detailing, wicker lampshades and modern botanical wallpaper have a tropical vibe.
Stunning Onice Giallo onyx clads the walk-in shower in the principal ensuite.
In this lighthearted ensuite, a bobble-framed mirror and pink vanity are unabashedly pretty.
Lauren Miller
House & Home
Sabrina Albanese