So yesterday I shared with you some of my favourite design features from this beautiful home through the lens of my personal Dream House Wish List. I think I’m going to have to make this a regular feature as the list of dream details keeps growing, and they are far too delicious to keep to myself! For now, more design love from the 2014 Princess Margaret Lotto Showhome designed by Brian Gluckstein.
A GREAT KITCHEN
The heart of every dream home is truly the kitchen. This is where family and friends gather, where meals are prepared and shared and where some of the most meaningful conversations of the day often take place. There should be a simpatico in the kitchen – a welcoming of the ebb and flow of people who make a house a home – matched with a comfortable calm that invites creativity and connection.
The satin brass cabinetry hardware is a modern twist on a classic. I also love the retro feel of the brass and frosted glass pendants over the island {below}.
The Le Cornue range and hood vent offer a dramatic focal point, adding more contrast and a touch of French decadence to this kitchen.
A PLAYFUL SPIRIT
For me, every dream house absolutely has to have a sense of whimsy. We should never take ourselves too seriously, but especially not at home. After all, how can we have a house filled with laughter if we lose our playful spirit? Laughter is a must in my world! And in this house, the whimsy and lightheartedness I look for are best seen in the art found in the children’s bedrooms, all from Art Interiors. I love how the artwork plays off of the colourful bedding from the Gluckstein Home collection. Bright, cheerful colours for a bright and cheerful little life! It doesn’t hurt that navy and orange happens to be one of my favourite colour combinations.
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| Creamsicle anyone? |
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| The effortless drape of the bouquet of tulips over the bed creates a casual beauty that’s perfect for this room! |
I’m also in love with the GENIUS way that Brian concealed an awkward bulkhead in one of the bedrooms by creating this nautical-inspired built-in bunk bed {below}. Rumour has it the ladder was tucked away for safe keeping before the house was opened to guests because the adults on the team “may or may not” have been climbing up it and playing on the bunk beds themselves. That’s a good sign in my book! It’s all about keeping a childlike spirit alive.
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| How much is that doggy in the window? Love him! |
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| Isn’t the craft room adorable? That whimsical dalmatian totally sets the tone! |
DRAMA
To juxtapose that playful whit and lightheartedness, every dream home should have at least one moment of drama. Take, for example, the the theatre room on the lower level of this house. The dark walls, masculine furnishings, gallery wall of photography and eclectic, well-traveled spirit of the styling of the accessories all tell an interesting story and set the stage for the drama and intrigue that make for a perfect movie viewing room.
INGENUITY
One of the things I love most about being an interior designer is the opportunity to use my strategy gene to turn problems into solutions and even design features. Brian Gluckstein is the absolute master of this very brand of design magic. I love how he used his ingenuity to solve the problem of a home gym that was totally lacking in natural light. Not one to settle, Brian got creative and thought – what if one of the walls was “see through?” Literally! By encasing the wine cellar in glass instead of drywall and suspending the racking between the floor and ceiling so that it didn’t require a wall to anchor it, Brian created a giant window into the home gym that welcomes in a wash of natural light to keep the fitness buffs in this household feeling fresh and inspired. Genius!
Stay tuned for tomorrow when I’ll reveal my favourite space in this house and why I love it so!
xo
s.
I was at this home last year and it was beautifully decorated.
I realize this is a late question, but would you happen to know the name of the artist that painted the painting in the art room (dog with coloured spots)? My Mother loved this piece so I'm hoping to surprise her with it for Christmas this year.