Before & After
Before & After: A Tudor-style House Is Revived With Bold British Style
Updated on May 29, 2024
Susan and Greg MacKenzie were looking to refresh their Tudor-style house in Toronto’s west end. On the hunt for a designer, Susan found Cynthia Ferguson while scrolling Instagram — she loved her style and color sensibility. When they compared notes about what excited them, they found a shared love of hotelier Kit Kemp’s exuberant British style. Susan knew Cynthia would be the perfect designer to inject vibrance into her neutral rooms. “We shared an appreciation of that British style, but I wouldn’t have had the confidence to do it on my own,” says Susan. Cynthia took her new clients’ already beautiful home to the next level by adding layers of color and pattern in the foyer, dining room and principal ensuite. Here, they share their perspectives on the colorful makeover, which was finished in less than four months.
Scroll down for a look inside Susan and Greg MacKenzie’s Tudor-style house!
House & Home: What was your design brief for this project?
Cynthia Ferguson: Susan felt her home was “almost there” and just needed the last layer to bring it all together. In the entry and dining room, she wanted to add joy, life and impact with color. She also wanted to update the ensuite to create a serene retreat. Everything was very white; the rooms were missing layers and color.
The entry features vibrant floral wallpaper, graphic floor tile and a painted cove ceiling. “You can take more risks here because the small size keeps costs down,” says Cynthia.
H&H: What makes the biggest splash in the foyer?
CF: The bold wallpaper really sets the tone. People fall in love with an impactful pattern, but then they’re terrified to use it!
H&H: What were the biggest splurges?
Susan MacKenzie: The beautiful fabrics we used —many were imported from the U.K.
CF: Yes, and the entry wallpaper. Because the cove ceiling is painted, it allowed us to choose a more expensive material.
Before: The dining room had classic furniture, but needed to be revived with new lighting, bold pattern and color.
The shades on the sconces and chandelier are wrapped in the same cheerful fabric used for the drapes.
H&H: What do you love about British decorating?
SM: Cozy British cottage style has layers, textures, color and whimsy. Some English decorating can be quite dark, but I wanted lightness.
CF: Susan and I understood each other from the beginning — we only met twice to discuss my British-inspired design concept before we started ordering fabrics and wallpaper.
Cynthia chose a punchy blue for the dining room walls and slipcovered two armchairs in a Sister Parish floral.
H&H: Where did you save?
CF: We saved in the dining room; the drapes are stationary, and we used the offcuts for the chandelier and sconce shades. We also kept Susan and Greg’s existing furniture; it felt good not to be filling a landfill.
H&H: Any favorite details overall?
CF: The dining room is such a home run. The colors have impact, and it was a great bang for their buck.
SM: I love how each room has its own character, and I really love the dining room chandelier. There are little details everywhere to enjoy.
H&H: Did you come up against any obstacles?
CF: We couldn’t change the location of anything in the bathroom. There’s a big window and an angled wall that were tricky to work around.
H&H: Did you have a jumping-off point for the ensuite?
CF: Yes, we started with the watery blue tile and the beautiful blind fabric. I also designed a white oak vanity with ribbed details; I love mixing in natural materials.
SM: We really upgraded the space, bringing in new floor tile, lighting, counters and mirrors, and we updated the fixtures and faucets, too.
Before: The all-white bathroom gets a new lease on life thanks to Susan and Cynthia’s bold decorating style.
An unlacquered brass faucet will patinate overtime.
Handcrafted wall tile injects freshness into the ensuite.
H&H: Was there anything you would have done differently?
CF: I would have loved vinyl grasscloth wallpaper in the ensuite instead of white walls, but I know wallpaper in a bathroom can scare people.
Before: The previous bathroom felt cluttered with a corner tub and a hotchpotch of materials that lacked color and symmetry.
A freestanding tub is an elegant update; the plaster-finished ceiling fixture adds subtle texture.
Donna Griffith
House & Home
Cynthia Ferguson