Jodie Rosen, principal of Rosen + Co Design Studio, designs a bespoke family home in midtown Toronto. “We created an interesting mix,” says Jodie of the home’s overarching style, adding that the design brief was to create a classic-meets-contemporary space with European flair. A subdued palette envelops the home, with curves, clean lines and pops of texture and colour adding visual interest. “It’s muted and elegant,” says Jodie. “We captured our client really beautifully.” Presented by Scotties®’

The post Inside A Newly Built Toronto Home With Contemporary, European-inspired Style appeared first on House & Home.

A typical workday for designer Alberta Ellis doesn’t involve an hours-long commute. Instead, she leaves the house and simply takes a stroll through their four-and-a-half hectares of forest on Vancouver Island’s Saanich Peninsula to Hippie House, a 1,200-square-foot studio she shares with her architect husband, Callum McClure.

Tucked amidst Douglas firs and red cedars, the two-storey structure was built mostly by hand in the early 1970s by an architect who emigrated from Germany. “Hippie House started as a pet name and it ended up sticking,” says Alberta with a laugh. The moniker came from the home’s quirky design. “We’re making a leap by calling them hippies, but the original owners embraced the concept of open-plan living that was popular in Germany at the time — they raised two kids here without any closed-off rooms!”

The post Alberta Ellis’ Studio is Packed With Retro Details and Joyful Pops of Colour appeared first on House & Home.

Toronto jewelry designer Dean Davidson and his partner, Fernando Fontineles, tapped designer Nicholas Ancerl to revamp their 1,600-square-foot loft in Wonder Condos, a former bread factory. Nicholas’s trademark clean lines and contemporary warmth resonated with Dean’s jewelry designs, which have a similar aesthetic and are inspired by the couple’s travels.

The post Clean Lines and A Warm Aesthetic Define Jewellery Designer Dean Davidson’s Loft appeared first on House & Home.

Empty-nesters Amy and Scott Jackson were ready to downsize their Toronto home, but they weren’t looking for a white box in the sky. After finding a 1,245-square-foot, two-bedroom condo nearby, they hired designer Cindy McKay to tackle the interiors — she had worked on their country house in Prince Edward County, Ont. With a Parisian-style apartment serving as inspiration, their condo is a place to comfortably work from home, and host their kids when they’re in town.

The post A Condo Is Renovated With Moody Hues and Vibrant Patterns appeared first on House & Home.

Designer Linda Lam wanted a new home that worked a bit harder than the laneway house she had lived in previously: it had to be a place that sparked her creativity. She found the perfect setting in a boutique live-work development in Vancouver’s Mount Pleasant neighbourhood. Linda’s been steadily building her design business for 15 years, and she now runs her firm, Quintessential Living, full time from her airy, art-filled, 855-square-foot loft.

The post Linda Lam’s Vancouver Loft Doubles As A Happy Work From Home Space appeared first on House & Home.

Heather Dryden and Peter Miller have an affinity for country life. “We’ve been skiing at Devil’s Glen for 22 years, renting each winter in Creemore,” says Heather. “We’ve also become avid cyclists and appreciate that the area has some of the best cycling in Ontario.” Once the kids were leaving for university, the couple started thinking about downsizing in Toronto and buying and building in Creemore, where they’d be in close proximity to summer and winter sports, and the many friends they’d made there over the years.

In 2019, Heather and Peter purchased 22 hectares of land just outside of Creemore. Peter works as an investment banker in Toronto, so they downsized in the city and started planning the new country house. The property, which reminded Peter of “the rolling hills of England,” came with a cute but run-down log home. Their longtime designer Sam Sacks quickly renovated, transforming it into a cosy modern retreat from which the couple could plan their dream house: a 4,380-square-foot, barn-style new-build in a contemporary country style.

The post Inside A Contemporary Country Retreat by Designer Sam Sacks appeared first on House & Home.

Karen Cole, principal of Cole Design Studio, refreshes a client’s 1960s-era childhood home in Niagara, Ont. The design brief was to bring the home’s original mid-century modern design into the current era. To achieve the desired look, Karen maintained several elements including light fixtures, furniture and the original terrazzo floors. A new penny-tiled backsplash in the kitchen, along with a selection of fun wallpapers, rugs and more, bring a contemporary feel. “We love this place,” says the client. “I’m just thrilled.” Presented by Scotties®’

The post A Mid-Century Modern Niagara Home Gets A Special Upgrade appeared first on House & Home.

North Thormanby Island, a tiny island just off B.C.’s Sunshine Coast, is a place apart. Whisper-quiet and free of shops, hotels and restaurants, there’s a small community of summer cottagers who get around on foot or by golf cart. Sarah and Mike Chiu, along with their two tween-aged children, long admired the island from across the water when they owned a cottage on the mainland. “We love to boat,” says Mike. “We visited Thormanby often and fell in love with it.” In 2017, they bought a little A-frame cottage on the island, but when a piece of beachfront came up for sale, they jumped at the opportunity. “We decided to build our forever place,” says Mike.

The Chius now spend long stretches on the island during the summer, which requires planning as well. Mike fishes and the family grows produce including kale and raspberries in the garden. With no grocery store, they stock up in advance and rely on a deep freezer. “When we’re here, we try not to make trips to the mainland,” says Sarah. “We like our days to just be. It’s such a special place.”

The post Clean Lines And Durable Finishes Define This Remote, Oceanfront B.C. Cottage appeared first on House & Home.

“I’ve always wanted to own a beautiful property in downtown Whitby, which is known for its historical grid,” says Orsi. “As soon as I walked in, I knew this was the one I’d been waiting for.” The designer was determined to bring the historical home, built in 1855, back to its former glory. Orsi created a layered look throughout the space with deep hues, interesting textures, unique antiques and eye-catching patterns. “Now that the project is complete, I can honestly say this is my favourite house I’ve ever designed.” Presented by Scotties®’

Cover photo by Valerie Wilcox

The post Tour Designer Orsi Panos’ English Cottage–Style Bungalow appeared first on House & Home.

Bunkies aren’t meant to be the stars of the show — they’re overflow sleeping quarters for when main cottages need to accommodate extra guests. Parris McKenna’s bunkie, however, doesn’t play second fiddle to her family’s four-season, 4,000-square-foot cottage on Lake Muskoka. The elevated yet comfortable mini cottage stands a short distance away, separated by a little stream, and it’s become a special spot for visitors who’ve travelled from afar to experience Ontario’s cottage country.

Parris and her husband, Fraser, bought the nearly one-and-a-half-hectare property outside of Gravenhurst in 2021. In December 2023, they enlisted Cottage Country Builders to construct a four-season bunkie, which took seven months to complete. “We love to host family from out of town,” says Parris. “Our goal was to give guests their own space where they could feel completely comfortable.”

The post Parris McKenna’s Cottage Bunkie is a Serene and Inviting Retreat appeared first on House & Home.