For interior designer Sabrina Albanese, each residential project she takes on is unique to the family that lives there. In the case of this Ontario home, she was tasked with helping a young family settle into a larger space.
The property is in the Clarkes Hollow neighborhood of North Pickering, which is a community just northeast of Toronto. The clients are a younger professional couple with a six-year-old and twelve-year-old. “This is their second home, so they had carved out their family needs when deciding to transition to a larger home,” Sabrina tells us. “A comfortable space was key for this family.”
With one parent that works from home and family regularly visiting from out of town, it was important to strike a good work/life balance in the interiors. “One of the main must-haves was full use of the lower level for lounging, productivity, work, play, study and relaxing,” she explains. She relied on a relaxed, modern aesthetic with classic details, calling it “comfortable elegance” and keeping function at the core of all decisions.
In the foyer, a classic botanical wallpaper sets the tone, and a Shaker-style bench features cozy cushions to match. “It immediately says welcome,” Sabrina explains. Moving into the living space, she knew it was important for the family to have a place to display their collection of books, heirlooms, and artifacts from travel. “We built a custom bookcase with built-in wall fixtures that flanks the travertine clad fireplace,” she explains. The seating is classic with traditional detailing in the knife-pleated skirt sofa, the iron low-arm chairs (all in durable double-weight linen), and contemporary accents thanks to the Christopher Farr pillows.
The dining room is entertaining ready and perfect for large family meals. “The banquettes and extendable tables allow for flexible seating scenarios, and the credenza is both used as a bar and servery for large dinners and entertaining,” the designer explains. “The armoire allows for plenty of convenient storage, and the drapes are a special Japanese open weave to allow for a dreamy pockets of light to pass through.”
The kitchen was designed to feel airy with glass shelving but has plenty of storage with several cabinets and pull-outs. There is also a coffee/drinks bar with a built-in writing desk and a large deep pantry. The breakfast nook is a seamless complement to the room and boasts vintage-inspired lighting that create an elegant mood.
“Some of the floor plans were challenging to accommodate all the furniture required for entertaining and hosting family and guests” Sabrina admits. “So, we had to use some custom sizing in seating and tables in order to suit the floor plans and still have ample walking and breathing space for flow. Nothing is worse than a large home with tight spacing.”
All in all, it took 13 months. “The client was impressed how the process was seamless and how everything was pulled together in a beautiful way,” the designer concludes.
