Castle in the City

Our clients found their dream home in sought after Old North. This charming, old-world castle-inspired home is nestled on a beautiful tree-lined property, that includes an inviting pool and entertainment area in the background.

Our client’s favourite colour is blue. It inspires them and brings them joy. Their favourite blues ranged from Classic Blue (Pantone’s 2020 colour of the year) to periwinkle blue to aqua blue. We strived to incorporate all of these gorgeous hues into their home. They also love pattern and whimsy so it was a joy to design this home as we got to incorporate so many beautiful fabrics, artwork pieces and textures into their spaces. At the heart of this home is music as our client is an opera singer so the home is always filled with angelic sounds. And they love to share their home with friends and family so it was critical to create a home that was welcoming and had lots of room for guests, laughter and music.

Magical Masterpiece in the Village

Do you believe in magic? We do! Our vision was to build our Forever Home in Wortley Village. We wanted this home to reflect our values of family, togetherness, comfort and joy. We envisioned a home that would function for our family, for this stage in our life and would empower us to live simply and beautifully.

We chose a calm and tranquil palette of whites and soft greys, with pops of aqua, pink, navy and black throughout, against a backdrop of natural linens, wools and cottons, organic wallpapers, woods and metals. All of the cabinetry was handcrafted in workshops by the finest cabinetmakers who brought their passion and dedication to our dreams. From solid white ash hardwood and stone flooring and countertops, to sparkling lighting and towering windows, to stunning furniture, artwork and accessories, each detail was curated with thoughtfulness and care.

And, the exterior of the home is exactly as we imagined. Finished in light mist board and batten planks, complemented by black windows and garage and metal roof and topped off with an aqua blue front door, the house fits perfectly into this 100 year old neighbourhood. And, a wow detail, two large scale copper sconces beside the front door and a black gooseneck light fixture over the garage. The front and back porches are dreams come true, inviting us to engage with our neighbours out front or to escape to our beautiful backyard.

What began as a dream in September 2018 has been brought to life. As we begin 2020, we are very grateful to all of those passionate and talented individuals who helped us build this home —- our little bit of magic in the world.

Please enjoy our 2019 Christmas Photos of our dream home, courtesy of @thisisarc.

Breathtaking Tudor Cottage in the City

The vision was to create a home that takes your breath away. From top to bottom, the owners wanted their home to feel light and bright and to inspire the family to live happily. Each room was re-designed to reflect the needs of the family or person living in the space. No detail was overlooked. 

We started with creating a master ensuite on the main floor, including their own laundry and dressing room, to make life easier. Next, the family room and kitchen were renovated and a beautiful custom white kitchen installed, with a massive white oak island and pantry. Every bathroom in the house - and there are 4 of them - was gutted and transformed and the bedrooms were updated with lots of special touches and details. Lighting was very important throughout the entire house, with selections from Visual Comfort, Feiss, Low Country Originals and Arteriors Home. The end result is a magical home that reflects this family’s lifestyle and design aesthetic.

Charming Craftsman Home

Our client was looking to transform this 80-year old neighbourhood gem into their family’s forever home that reflected their busy lifestyle and personality. Having not been renovated in years, a dysfunctional kitchen and bathroom, and lack of mudroom, proved to be a daily challenge for this family. 

We started by reimagining the home’s layout, which included relocating the kitchen, adding a large mudroom and powder room, and creating a new great room and home office. To encapsulate the coastal farmhouse vibe the family was searching for, we put in distressed wide-plank hardwood, updated the lighting, added wainscoting, and installed beaded board cabinetry in the kitchen.

The renovation protected the character of the original house, while adding all the needed features that would ensure this busy family could function effortlessly in their new dream home.

French Country City Home

This Old North stunner celebrates the marriage of Victorian design, with touches of French country and coastal living.  The vision for the family room was to create a space that was a serene counterpoint to the couple’s busy life.  The nautical combination of blue and white reminds them of the ocean and the beadboard ceiling is an evocative seaside architectural detail.

The coastal design included a fireplace, with a live edge mantel and sky blue porcelain mosaic tile. The fireplace was flanked by two perfect wall units to display the home owners’ special things. The ceiling, created by the owner, is an intricate beadboard and the custom paneling on the walls is flawless. Rich warm toned hickory floors were installed, layered with a wool rug filled with deep and periwinkle blues. The furniture is warm and cozy and gives a nod to coastal living. 

Picture Perfect Home

The vision was to give the home a fresh facelift and create an idyllic living space for this busy family of four. To transform the home we eliminated the beige, brown and tired finishes and fixtures and filled the home with light and warmth decorated in a neutral palette, full of greys, whites, blues and beautiful textures. 

Natural hickory hardwood was installed on the main floor and the most stunning light fixture illuminates the home and makes a real statement, both in size (46” D) and allure. Beautiful, high quality furniture, lighting and accessories were installed in the great room, sitting room and dining room. Whimsical prints, custom wood pieces, window coverings and artwork provide a curated touch to the home.

Both the master ensuite and the kids bathrooms were completely gutted and reimagined. The kids bathroom is now cheerful, bright and highly functional, with pops of turquoise and wood tones. The master ensuite is to die for. Marble floors and walls, massive walk-in shower and a soaker tub make a distinctive statement and the make-up table is the perfect little extra. 

A Dream Bathroom

This couple was looking for an upscale master bathroom that would feel like they were in a 5-star hotel.

Working with a large footprint, we were able to accomodate the bathroom, water closet, and airy walk-in closet. The marble porcelain floors, walls, and ceiling in the shower provide a luxurious feel, complimented with Brizo polished nickel fixtures. The Victoria + Albert soaking tub is the piece de resistance, and the lighting by Hudson Valley Lighting brings the finished space to life. 

The result is a luxurious and bright bathroom that stays true to their traditional design preferences.

Home Sweet Home

This family of five were excited to be moving back to London and had purchased a former Dream Lottery home, but it needed a facelift. 

Inspired by the beach and enjoying life’s special moments together, we started with the paint palette, selecting a mixture of light greys, whites, and shades of blue. Every inch of the house was painted and immediately took on a whole new aura - one of tranquility and calm. To compliment the new hues, we added beautiful window panels in linens and silks, and new lighting to transform the space even further. 

We had lots of fun with furniture and accessories, with the extra-long sofa making a bold statement in the great room, accented by two swivel chairs and the coziest chair-and-a-half, where Mom can snuggle up and read a book with one of the kids.

Timeless in North London

To perfect their newly purchased, 30-year old home, and transform it to meet the needs of a busy couple with a growing family, we renovated the entire first floor, which encompassed a new kitchen, family room, butler’s pantry and staircase, in addition to designs for the laundry room and nursery. The result was a beautiful and functional makeover with timeless furnishings, finishes, and accessories.

The second phase of their journey focused on the exterior design to create a fun backyard space for the whole family to enjoy; a basement overhaul and an inspiring play space for the little ones; and a second-floor redesign, including the most amazing little girl bedroom, fit for a princess that will stand the test of time.

Castell Model Home, Talbot Village, 2018

The vision was to create a signature Castell Model Home that would highlight the distinctive craftsmanship and beautiful design. We wanted to create a home that would inspire potential home buyers to make a Castell house their forever home. 

Working with the builder, Frank Callipari, and Castell partners, such as Cardinal Kitchens and Sloan Stone Designs, we collaborated on the contemporary farmhouse design and layout of the kitchen, fireplace wall, butler’s pantry and mudroom and selected the paint palette, finishes, fixtures and lighting. Finally, we staged and styled the model home, which was opened to the public for viewing beginning June 2nd.

Old North Reimagination

Our client wanted to completely transform this outdated home into a coastal farmhouse in the city. 

To create a masterpiece that reflected the vision and dreams of our client, and make it more functional for their family, we took the majority of the rooms in an 80-year old home back to the studs and started from scratch. New layout, new style, new finishes. 

Features included three fireplaces, rustic hardwood, a chef’s kitchen complete with larder, shiplap, a family room that encompasses two unique seating spaces for the family, and a third-floor loft that makes guests feel like they have arrived at a 5-star hotel. A co-creation that is a jewel in our crown.