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.