Decorating & Design
See A Decorator’s Relaxed & Elegant New-Build
Published on September 6, 2018
After finally completing her custom dream home in 2012, decorator Brittaney Elgner did something most people wouldn’t dare to do. She started up another house project tout de suite. It wasn’t her intention to jump back in, but she and her husband, Neil, loved the whole process of building from the ground up. That, and they just couldn’t resist an oversized ravine lot down the street from the home they’d just finished in Oakville, Ontario.
The 5,200-square-foot, five-bedroom house reads as a storied home instead of a new-build, thanks to the extensive millwork and munition profile of the windows. Clear sight lines and structural symmetry bring a certain flow, making it easy to keep an eye on the kids. The family’s relaxed vibe permeates the whole house; it even influenced their choice of durable materials and fabrics. This home is definitely meant to last. But is it their last dream home? “I doubt it,” says Brittaney. “I’m getting that itch again.”
Click through for a look inside the space!
The family gravitates to the double-height great room, which marries comfort with dramatic oversized windows and light fixtures, and a large vintage mirror.
Brittaney and Neil with their children, Olive and Emmett. “Lighting is huge for me,” says Brittaney. “I wanted to get the right pieces that had a presence in the room.”
“Panelling is something I constantly use and, in this house, we added it almost everywhere,” says Brittaney. “It added that extra element and it meant we didn’t need to hang as many pieces of art.”
The center door hardware, popular in Europe but quite unusual in Canada, was a must-have on the couple’s wish list. They waited months to have the right one crafted in antique brass. “The front door says so much about your home, and I really wanted ours to be inviting,” says Brittaney.
Drama is on full display in the dining room where ethereal, candle-like chandeliers set the bar high and sapphire blue upholstery pops against the white panelling and silver wallpaper. The chunky custom table is stained in a tone similar to the reclaimed oak flooring.
A blend of gold, polished nickel and black makes the white space sing.
The family entertains often in the kitchen, especially during the summer when the doors are thrown open to the back terrace. Brittaney had the muntins painted a dramatic black.
“It was important for me to have exposed shelving so I could display beautiful pieces,” says Brittaney. “The whole kitchen was based on these polished nickel shelves.” The porcelain backsplash mimics Calcutta marble.
Old world meets new in Emmett’s nursery, which is outfitted in vintage, animal-themed wallpaper and antique-brass fixtures.
Sumptuous blue velvet reappears on the chair and footstool in the principal bedroom. The absence of extra adornment or pattern gives the room a calming energy.
“Our principal bathroom is probably the most traditional space in the house,” says Brittaney. “I wanted to bring in more details.” She started with warm white marble used around the perimeter of the “rug”. From there, she added a mosaic tile to give the room a centerpiece.
Robin Stubbert
House & Home July 2018
Brittaney Elgner