Jim Charron of Foliage Fetish Landscaping creates lush matching urns for a formal welcome at the front entrance.

Key Elements
Symmetrical Plantings With both urns brimming with purple blooms and abundant greenery, the landscaping team created a sense of balance at the asymmetrical front entrance.

Bright Palette Purple and red flowers in similarly strong hues ensure one shade doesn’t overpower the other. Red tulips in the front flower bed hint at the spectacular red and white tulips planted en masse in the formal gardens behind the house.

Eco-Friendly Maintenance Green choices included organic bone meal for fertilizer and blood meal as a natural squirrel repellent.

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Jonathon and Ralph Neal of Upper Canada House chose a green palette to evoke the stem of a flower, leading visitors into many different rooms.

Key Elements
Crystal Sphere Light Fixtures These add a sparkling, contemporary touch to a space with strong architectural details, such as a niche and columns.

Luxe Pattern Wallpaper, a strié carpet and modern Canadian paintings deliver colour and personality.

Antiques Pieces with history add character in an environmentally friendly manner. “The ultimate in the three Rs is reuse, reuse, reuse!” say the designers.

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Dee Dee Hannah and Montclair Construction created a sumptuous catering kitchen that celebrates fine dining at home.

Key Elements
Washable Drapes Classic cream and black drapes look crisp while concealing gritty industrial appliances. “The drapes can be hosed down, offering a mix of function and fashion,” says Hannah.

Organic Elements “The kitchen includes organic linens, a natural stone countertop and low-VOC paint.”

Bold Lines Rectangular window borders and grid-like stone flooring contrasts nicely against the curvier table and black crystal chandelier.

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Michael Batterbee and Barbara Nelson used an eclectic mix of materials to glam up the traditional atmosphere of this reception hall.

Key Elements
Art Deco Furniture A steel, acrylic and glass table takes centre stage, adding contrast against the vintage pieces.

Ambient Lighting Hanging pendant lights are reflected in the hand-cut, aged-glass silver Venetian mirror, creating more light in the space and making it appear larger than it is.

Textured Walls The walls were painted and textured to enhance the oak panelling and original wood detailing.

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Michael Batterbee and Barbara Nelson used rich textures and colours to accentuate the reception hall sitting area’s old-world feel.

Key Elements
Vintage Furniture A carved wood shell table adds an eco-friendly element to the space.

Canadian Style The team incorporated locally designed furniture and Canadian art to keep the room “local.”

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Del Weale and Samantha Farjo designed this light-filled rec room to appeal to adults and children alike.

Key Elements
Light Palette The walls were painted a creamy grey to keep the room airy and bright. “Psychologically, it doesn’t feel like a basement,” say Weale and Farjo.

Copper Fireplace The team focused on using eco-friendly elements. The fireplace, made from low-maintenance recyclable local copper, adds warmth to the space.

Wood Floor Due to extensive damage, the original wood floor was replaced with white oak finished with a natural wax.

Recycled Furniture A credenza was made from recycled letterpress trays and the base for the custom games table is reclaimed barn board. The leather armchairs were vintage finds.

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Gillian Gillies created a cozy and sophisticated space that makes a basement hallway a destination all its own.

Key Elements
Sitting Nook The staircase alcove gained purpose when transformed into a seating area. The wall is upholstered and tufted in a buttery Belgian linen for added depth and texture.

Oversize Bronze Chandelier Large yet seemingly weightless, its shape echos the alcove’s curves. Understated sconces on the opposing, grasscloth-papered wall maintain the timeless theme.

Vintage Furniture The original armchairs and ottoman were reupholstered with organic linen and sharp pleating inspired by a pin-tucked shirt. The toss pillows feature a simple ribbon stripe design — a signature of Gillian’s. “It is so simple yet it allows you to customize fabric to your own colour palette.”

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Glamorous style is tempered by organic touches in this elegant work space created by Caldwell Design.

Key Elements
Dramatic Accessories The rustic wooden bowl is hand-crafted from reclaimed Ontario wood. A sunburst mirror injects sparkle.

Warm, Earthy Textiles The chair, carpet and drapes (not shown) are all fashioned out of sustainable and organic materials, creating a healthy space to nourish the creative spirit.

A Neutral Palette Natural tones are dressed up with shimmering silver and a mirrored desk.

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Julie Wakely created the ultimate sommelier space, complete with wireless audio and visual technology.

Key Elements
Organic Shapes Botanical motifs in the table and chandelier, rendered in modern materials, soften an otherwise streamlined space.

Sleek Materials “The reclaimed flooring balances bamboo and sandblasted-glass walls, creating a light feeling in this small space,” says Wakely.

High Technology “The walls contain wines and spirits hidden behind automated pullout cabinets and hydraulic lifts. An automated glass door allows the collection to be viewed and an e-sommelier system catalogues and labels the inventory and tracks when wine is stored and removed.”

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Lyn Gaby designed a whimsical mudroom that brings the outdoors in.

Key Elements
Garden Fresh Palette
Para Paints’ F-Stop was the neutral background shade. “Then I added accents in punchy garden colours, including variations of green and red,” says Gaby.

Custom Furniture A chair and bench designed by Gaby were crafted from found materials, adding to the casual feel of the mudroom. The bench is actually an old ladder.

Recyclable Vinyl Flooring The Gerflor flooring is a practical choice.

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Suzanne Davison used a simple palette of soft blues and greens to add contrast and softness against dark wood furniture.

Key Elements
Eco Cork Flooring This sustainable choice resists mould and moisture better than other types of floors.

Organic Textiles The bedding is made from recycled fibres coloured with metal-free dyes and pigments.

Contrast Clean-lined lights, furniture and walls balance the soft and soothing duvet and carpet.

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Suzanne Davison created a soothing study area using a variety of contemporary and traditional elements.

Key Elements
Sleek Furniture A comfortable, plush yellow chair is perfect for reading and lounging. A compact desk, with just enough surface space for a computer, tucks away neatly in a corner.

Lively Artwork Colourful kids’ art adds bright colour and character to an otherwise serene space.

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Marg Gillespie and Laurie Bildfell designed this third-floor escape for a young girl who is ready for more privacy and individual expression.

Key Elements
Lively Palette Sage green and bright blue are perfect accent colours for an older child.

Streamlined Furniture Modern acrylic and glass finishes keep the space functional and simple.

Graphic Bedding Bold patterns in two or three colours make this a lively and fun space for relaxing, working or hanging out with friends.

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A functional desk area and bedroom.

Sculptural Pieces Designers Marg Gillespie and Laurie Bildfell chose a shapely mirror and classic Panton chair to contrast the clean-lined desk.

Soft Palette Green walls and bright white furniture keep this room young yet understated.

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Meredith Heron used art and fabrics to inject warmth and personality into a basement hallway.

Key Elements
A Classic Palette “I used a scheme of white, navy and black and added hits of colour throughout to keep the eye moving from side to side — a great way to widen any narrow space,” says Heron.

Faux Flooring Heron gave a crumbling concrete floor the look of tile using a coat of DuRock Jewel Stone. It was then painted to resemble marble tile or glazed ceramics found in France and Spain.

Storytelling Photographs Toronto artist James Anok supplied the photography for the space. The goal was to mix images of family, friends, travel and the city of Toronto as a grounding point.

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Mix-and-match lighting and patterns warm up the basement hall designed by Meredith Heron.

Key Elements
Unique Lighting The contemporary ceiling fixtures are oversize nautical discs with crystal drops, which create a sense of volume in the space and distract from the busy pipework and wiring overhead. Heron also refurbished vintage, blue-glass table lamps to add an eclectic touch.

Vibrant Textiles Bold throw pillows and area rugs layer in colour, heritage and personality.

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Meredith Heron converted a basement safe into a cosy scrapbooking nook that celebrates family life.

Key Elements
Warm Wood An antique pine console table (used as a desk), matched with an iconic Panton chair offers an edgy tension.

Painted-Brick Walls Para Paints’ Gallery White brightens the industrial brick, creating a clean backdrop to display art and collectibles.

Layered Textures To emphasize the scrapbooking theme, Heron has layered area rugs, upholstery and patterns.

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This welcoming study, created by Cally Bowen and Lisa Willmot of Bowen Designs, doubles as a sanctuary for reading, answering emails or watching a favourite movie.

Key Elements
A Palm-Springs Palette The soft green walls provide a quiet backdrop and set off the cheerful sofa.

Mixed Patterns Blue and white Chinoiserie-style lamps, bold florals and pink and green hues recall the grand rooms of Dorothy Draper.

Sustainable & Architectural Details. The room’s stylish moulding was created from wood products certified by the Forest Stewardship Council.

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GC Bespoke used unique, hand-sewn drapes to create a contemporary-yet-elegant space for couturier consultations and fittings.

Key Elements
Fashion Palette
The dramatic combination of creamy off-white and the deepest black evokes Chanel, Lagerfeld and other fashion giants.

Tailoring & Couture “We used cotton, silk, paper, leather, hand embroidery and hand appliqué, all crafted by artisans using natural dying processes,” say Giani Tariello and Camal Pirbhai. These materials “wrap” the room like a designer gown.

Organic Textiles Hand-sewn curtains are made with materials like natural unbleached cotton flannel and 100% cotton.

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Using visible ductwork and pattern, Brant Hamilton Brown channeled an industrial chic vibe in this third-floor hallway.

Key Elements
Bright Palette “Shocking pink and warm grey-taupe raw plaster became our colour beacons,” says Hamilton Brown.

Wall Tattoo Made from organic colourants and reclaimed metals, the tattoo prevented the space from becoming too pretty. The wall finish beneath the tattoo is a mixture of clay and stone, adding texture to the long space.

Benches “Upholstered benches hold the eye and soften the edge of this linear space.”

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Robert and Karen King rejuvenated one of the most architecturally interesting spaces of McLean House.

Key Elements
Black-Tie Palette The elegant black and white colour scheme looks fresh and formal . “That, plus mixing textures, showcased the proportioned oval dimensions of the room,” Karen explains.

Dramatic Wallpaper A dark, oversize wallpaper adds a luxe feel to a small space.

Flooring The partially reclaimed granite floor was updated with a mosaic insert.

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Glen Peloso designed a modern yet timeless shopping space in the coach house of McLean House.

The Key Elements
Neutral Palette
Hues like black, white and grey offer a classic combination that doesn’t distract from the designer merchandise on display.

Customized Cabinets Peloso and his team embellished eco-friendly cabinets with antique metal grills. “The AyA cabinets are made from recycled particle board with an exclusive, no-emission top coat.”

Rotating Pot Lights These can spotlight specific areas or items, such as art or displays. Additional ceiling fixtures keep the look pretty.

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This classic café, designed by DCA Design Inc, incorporates modern elements while respecting the estate’s history.

Key Elements
Contemporary Chairs These add modern flair. Tables with easy-to-clean surfaces were used to avoid the need to launder tablecloths.

Low-VOC Paint Used on the ceiling and walls, this paint reduced emissions and odours in the eating area.

Porcelain Tile Flooring This was a more durable and low-maintenance choice than the room’s old carpet.

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