Twenty miles outside of Toronto is Oakville, a laid-back and picturesque town that’s great for families. “The neighborhood was originally established between the 60 and 70s but over the last ten to fifteen years has undergone a transformation and been reimagined to reflect today’s lifestyle,” designer Meg Thomas of Paperwhite Interiors says. “We had an incredible experience working with a custom builder to create a sophisticated, yet family friendly home. The client was generous enough to give us creative license to realize their overall vision.”

With two young children and a puppy, the family’s home needed to be hardwearing and functional. “We kept this at the forefront when selecting the finishes throughout, including the durable herringbone floor in the mudroom and the Neolith porcelain countertops in the kitchen,” Meg explains. “We injected style throughout the home using unique light fixtures, custom art, and beautiful wall coverings including a finely woven linen for the primary bedroom.”

When building a home from the ground up, it’s important to consider ease and flow—but Meg wanted to make sure each room had its own personality. For example, the dining room features an oversized and sculptural light fixture and a simple custom white oak table, accented by the classic wishbone chair. “I love playing with scale to create high impact using minimal pieces,” Meg says. In the study, a departure: the moody, warm gray paint is an unexpected choice from the otherwise light and airy space. 

Meg is an expert when it comes to mostly neutral spaces and says a variety of tones and textures are key. “Balance and scale are important when choosing furniture and accessories to complement the architecture and layering different elements will add dimensions and depth.” For these clients, this approach was exactly what they hoped for. “In the end, I feel like we created a home that truly reflects the personality and lifestyle of this generous and humble family. As always, the goal is to live with beauty and ease in a place you can call your own.”