Decorating & Design
November 21, 2016
A Tailored Holiday Home With Elegant Christmas Decor
At Christmas, most of us ask for something new. These homeowners wanted something old — or that appeared old, as if it had been lived in and loved for years. A dream team of architect Lorne Rose, builder Teddington Homes and designer Silvana D’Addazio made their wish come true. On a big lot in leafy uptown Toronto, they created a 4,000-square-foot house defined by its tailored symmetry and Georgian details. Inside, walls and ceilings are richly panelled, molded and coffered. While elegant, the home is far from precious or fussy, as the homeowners have three school-age children.
To prep the house for the holidays, Silvana applied her flair for detail to subtle embellishments. “I try not to overdo anything — even at Christmas,” says Silvana. Click through for simple and sophisticated Christmas decorating ideas.
The Georgian-style new-build is restrained, save for its classically inspired portico. For the holidays, dramatic urns were filled with birch and evergreen branches adorned with big baubles in a rusty hue pulled from the spaces inside, which also works with the red brick exterior.
The envelope of the front hall is tailored and understated, but Silvana brought in pops of color with a showstopping antique rug and a pair of Chinese stools — their red trim makes the quiet space come alive.
Silvana gave the living room the same formal bearing as the home’s exterior, designing a sofa, tub chairs, table and ottoman in a graceful traditional style. The mix of a patterned rug and fabrics livens up the muted palette, while small cheery wreaths draw the eye to the horse sculptures.
The dining room doesn’t get loads of sunlight, so Silvana played up the coziness with grasscloth on the panelled walls and heavy grey curtains. Candlelight, crystal and silver inject sparkle.
20th-century touches bring the dining room’s formality down a notch. The sconce is from the 1930s, the candelabra feel thoroughly contemporary, and the sideboard, designed by Silvana, has a glam mid-century vibe.
Reds and greens creep in via bowls of fruit and potted herbs; whimsical donuts on a tiered stand draw admirers. Silvana put her stamp on the trad, all-white kitchen with refined panelling and fluting on the cabinets. A flatweave wool runner adds a splash of color.
Silvana designed a round table, surrounded by six black chairs, to tuck perfectly into the bow window.
In the family room, the tree is tucked in a corner and dressed in tasteful silver, pink and rust baubles to echo the palette. Silvana designed the sturdy sofa and big, casual coffee table topped in Caesarstone. A jaunty striped rug hides spills, and a daybed is a lighter choice than chairs in front of the windows.
The family room is a cozy spot to spend Christmas morning. Less elaborate than the living room’s, the mantel sets a relaxed tone, while the bold coffered ceiling, panelling around the fireplace and row of french doors give the new-build historical bearing. With its pink undertones, the pale wood panelling adds a feminine note.
Silvana drew the line at the principal bedroom — the owners’ refuge from the holiday frenzy. The feature wall is a handsome architectural backdrop for a simple headboard and night tables. She upholstered it in wool, crossed through with walnut panels. Blush glass lamps add color, while a bold pendant echoes the Asian flavor of the feature wall.
In the principal ensuite, Silvana used a smattering of fresh, festive greenery: orchids and branches that don’t have to be replaced often. She also expanded her palette to include darker blues (in the towels) for a cool contrast to the warm white walls. Building the mirrors into the panelling is rich and tailored.
White cabinets and walls with slim moldings give the big, airy principal bath a truly tranquil ambience. A muted rug and antique stool add quiet color. A huge basket keeps bath towels handy, while a single pendant highlights the pretty setting.
Angus Fergusson
House & Home December 2015
Silvana D’Addazio