Decorating & Design
Discover The 2021 Princess Margaret Showhome By Sarah Baeumler
Updated on May 7, 2021
“Do what you love” is career advice we’ve all heard, but Sarah Baeumler has turned these words into a personal mantra. Whether the designer and television matriarch of one of HGTV Canada’s most popular families is raising funds for hurricane relief in the Bahamas or spearheading the design of a $7-million showhome for the Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation, Sarah jumps heart-first into everything she does. “The opportunity to work on this project meant a great deal to everyone involved, and our passion for our craft was only strengthened by our support of this cause,” says Sarah, who favored a transitional style for the house, which is awarded fully furnished.
Teaming up for the second year in a row with Canadian home builder Greenpark Group was the silver lining during pandemic pandemonium. “Absolutely every aspect of the build was affected in some way, whether it was the cost of building materials that increased over the past year, the lead times needed for furniture or the inability to walk into some of my favorite stores to see the pieces firsthand,” says Sarah. But if there’s one thing that can bring top trades and busy craftspeople together, it’s a worthwhile cause.
The turnkey dwelling is nestled — as discreetly as a sprawling 11,000-square-foot residence can be — just 40 minutes north of Toronto in King City, Ontario. The township, characterized by rolling hills, appeals to urbanites wanting to trade downtown living for more bucolic burbs. The lucky lottery winner also gets half a million dollars in cash and a lakefront cottage in Muskoka, Ontario.
Every detail of the five-bedroom house, which has nine bathrooms and a live-in kitchen, has been considered. “This entire home is a reflection of the past year and the changes that many of us have had to make in our lives,” says Sarah, who included a private office with a powder room, a designated homework zone and a bedroom suite on the main floor with wider doorways for wheelchair access. “We view our homes now as classrooms for our children, places of work and a refuge from the outside world,” adds the mother of four.
Scroll down to tour the breathtaking Spring 2021 Princess Margaret Showhome! (The winners have already been announced, but stay tuned for the Fall Showhome and watch our video tours!)
“The family room is a reflection of the way our family lives,” says Sarah. “I love it when all six of us are together, but I’m always amazed at how we each gravitate to different areas of the space.”
The family room has a relaxed feel with oak flooring, a cast stone mantel and wooden beams.
A mirror reflects light into the family room.
Indoor-outdoor counter stools and pale oak detailing give the kitchen a coastal look, while the spacious Caesarstone island is perfect for meal prepping.
A separate beverage center keeps everyday wines and sodas close at hand.
Wallpaper adds graphic punch to the dining room.
Desert photography adds sandy pink color to the mudroom.
Pale gray walls set a calming tone in the main-floor in-law suite.
“This room is a haven for relaxation and indulgence,” says Sarah of the principal ensuite.
A floating white oak nightstand and inset antiqued mirror are just two of the home’s bespoke details.
The lower level has room for everything — music, art, relaxation and even a game of pool.
A designated craft and homework zone on the lower level is at the top of many parents’ wish lists these days.
Donna Griffith
House & Home May 2021
Sarah Baeumler