moments and make fresh design choices. For the most part, the couple chose the more contemporary look that he envisioned, while still keeping the traditional flair that she loved. “It was very much a joint effort,” they say. Lorne Durocher of Plaza Ontario helped with the design and, while the couple took a very hands-on approach to choosing their furnishings and finishings, they also called upon Francesca Fregapane of Façade Interiors & Furniture for advice and help in sourcing some of the items in the home (like the wickedly witty, black and white, “Opera” mural in the theatre room).

TThe house is imposing. It dominates two acres set in an upscale neighbourhood. Its location is very unique as it is part of a subdivision, yet it is nestled into the curve of the street just as the crescent curls around a protected green space. It is a picture-perfect lot surrounded by woods that offer complete privacy, nature and a place to call home.

It is also a home with a back story. In 2008, the homeowners decided to put down roots. They purchased a swath of property comprising three acres in a highly-sought-after Lasalle development with the idea that they would first build a home on the one-acre lot while retaining the larger, two-acre property for the future. After only two years in their charming, traditional-inspired home, however, an unsolicited opportunity came knocking on

their door. As it turned out, friends had fallen in love with their home and wanted to buy it. Even though planning, designing and building a 9,000 sq. ft. home – especially combined with raising a young family – demands a lot of time, the couple feIt it was a fantastic chance to build the house they’d always envisioned. “We decided to go for it,” says the homeowner.

The exterior of the home is a dramatic nod to traditional French manor-style architecture with its brick and stone façade (Allan Djordevic of ADG + Associates), steep roofline, arches, tall, thin windows and custom-made wrought-iron doors. Built by Valente Home Development, the exterior is a striking contrast to the more transitional finishes and style the homeowners chose for the interior. They say they were inspired to “play with design,” to create unexpected

Continued on page 40

ABOVE: The custom-made wrought-iron gates welcome you into this stunning home. OPPOSITE: The elegant dining room with its wood floors, contemporary art and dramatic ceiling.

BEHINDTHE GATES…beyond your imagination

STORY NANCY BELGUEPHOTOGRAPHY MAX WEDGE

PHO

TO: R

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NC

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the homeowners entertain their family and friends. “We host pre- and post-parties here when we go out with a group of friends,” they say. “That way no one has to trek though the house. We love that no one needs to take their shoes off in our home when they are dressed up for the evening,” they continue. “We wanted it to feel warm and livable yet trendy and chic.”

Avid travellers, the couple enjoy collecting from every part of the world. Building their new house was a perfect opportunity for them to bring all of their design ideas to the table. “Everywhere we went, we would take pictures of what we liked,” they say. Their keen eye for detail resulted in some of the home’s most dramatic features. A tufted, white leather ceiling

(Windsor Upholstery) was inspired by a ceiling they saw on a trip to the Bahamas. The living area was designed to resemble a lobby in a “very cool Las Vegas” hotel and comes complete with an uplit, onyx-topped lobby bar (Plaza Ontario), a soaring cast-stone two-storey custom fireplace (Andrew Ledoux of Ledoux Interiors) and an elegant circular seating area. It is where Continued on page 42

ABOVE: Frank Cremasco designed the kitchen. Granite is from Plaza Ontario. RIGHT: Although the home is open concept, this unique open wall provides visual interest, storage and privacy. FAR RIGHT: The curving staircase. The homeowners designed it with the image of their daughter descending it in a bridal gown in mind.

RIGHT: The “lobby bar” effect the homeowners wanted to create. The circular seating and soaring fireplace (which was drawn by the homeowner) are modelled after a resort hotel. Note the leather ceiling. BELOW: The lobby bar. BOTTOM: The entry to the home with its lobby-style bar and dramatic staircase. The crystal chandelier is one of the homeowners’ favourite features.

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As stylish as it is, the home is very much a family home. The couple’s two children run in and out trailing friends, sports equipment and toys. Every inch of the 4,000 sq. ft. main floor feels like it is well used. The kitchen (Frank Cremasco Fine Cabinetry), where the homeowners enjoy creating fantastic meals with their state-of-the-art appliances (Reis Appliance Ltd.), overlooks the beautifully landscaped (Lakeshore Landscaping) backyard playground – complete with pool (Santarossa Pools), tennis court and jungle gym. “We feel at home here,” say the homeowners. “It’s a family neighbourhood. Our kids run around, knock on doors, we all hang out. We have some wonderful friendships that we cherish.”

Indeed, when the weather turns cold and outdoor activities are curtailed, there is plenty to do inside. Downstairs, there is a theatre room with real movie-theatre-style seating (Essex Home Furnishings), as well as a playroom. “We are down here a lot,” they say. “We use it more than our living room.”

That the homeowners value family above all is apparent in the way they talk about their design choices. The dining room is expansive and welcoming, perfectly appointed for comfort and style. The family loves to gather here to celebrate special occasions: a christening, a birthday or a spectacular report card. “We wanted the dining room to be both elegant and informal,” they say. Continued on page 44

The backyard is a stunning oasis comprising a tennis court, rectangular pool and fire pit. There is a sense of serenity. “Our only neighbours back here are the deer,” the homeowners say. BELOW: A perfect place to while away an afternoon.

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It is telling that one of their favourite elements in the house is the spiral staircase. “We pictured our daughter floating down it in a wedding dress,” the couple say. The staircase is, indeed, dramatic. It seems suspended in space and swirls onto the main floor, ending just beneath the homeowner’s second favourite element in the home – the massive crystal chandelier (RE-Lighting Inc.). “The chandelier was delivered in a flatbed truck. We had to have special scaffolding built and the attic reinforced. It was hoisted in its crate and took two days to install. One day for the light and another for the crystals,” they say. The overall effect is absolutely amazing. It is just crying out for grand occasions, like the wedding day of a beautiful bride, exactly as the homeowners envision.

Grand, majestic, imposing: these are all words that can be used in describing the home. Warm, stylish and fun are also words that apply. It’s family living on a grand scale – a wonderful marriage of playful design and practical functionality. It is a home for the ages. OH

FAR LEFT: The striped ceiling in the den is a unique and fun feature. LEFT: The main-floor powder room glitters. BELOW: The theatre room is a very popular hang-out for the family as well as the neighbourhood children. BOTTOM: The office is sleek, elegant and masculine.

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