Back to Nature

Back to Nature

Natural textures and colours in an unwinded, laid-back style set a scene that’s as serene as a walk in the woods.

At very first blush, this recently built house near Ottawa appears to have everything: high ceilings, timeless architecture and open, enthusiastically proportioned spaces awash in sunlight. However its open strategy presented some challenges for the house owners. With everything visible from everywhere else, how do you specify different areas, while also developing a visually unified, comfortable– not spacious– house? And with a family that consists of three active young kids, how do you keep things neat and arranged?

For answers, the household turned to Sascha Lafleur of West Of Main Design. The re-do she, her team and the builder (EQ Houses) orchestrated draws inspiration from a subtle scheme of natural colours and textures– not surprising for a designer who believes the very best designer in the world is nature herself. Sascha says that natural products like wood, stone and natural fibres will always harmonize with each other, and also make us feel calmer– just as remaining in nature does.

The designer used arranged furnishings groupings to produce unique “spaces” in the open main flooring, while subtle links in texture and tone provide a sense of total cohesion without being too rigorous about making things match completely. Rather than simply a single types or colour of wood, for example, there’s a variety of them, just as in a forest– from pale oak on the kitchen area island and variety hood, through the rich medium tones of the reclaimed-wood table, to the crisp, near-black grain of ebonized dining chairs.

Look better and you’ll see that there’s likewise plenty of skillfully designed storage– so key in an open strategy– tucked all through the area. Some pieces conceal, like a dining-room sideboard for table linens and overflow serving pieces; while others show, like open racks and glass-front cupboards that serve as a natural phase for collections or favourite pieces detected journeys.

More and more, particularly these days, Sascha states, “home is everything to people today. We attempt to develop designs that are lovely, however have a lived-in appearance. Whatever doesn’t have to match– there’s a sense of balance, where if one piece is a bit out of order, everything still looks excellent.”

BUILDER, eQ Houses. A console table and twin mirrors in the corridor that links the entrance with the primary living area supply an area for a peaceful vignette including a Roman bust, handwoven basket and chunky crystals. Perk: the basket functions as a stowing away spot for an extra blanket.

The dining location is rather big, but instead of over-furnishing it, designer Sascha Lafleur decided rather to utilize a couple of over-sized pieces that work together to create a balanced composition. The broad sideboard acts to ground the climatic painting, while the ebonized chairs get the grain of the reclaimed-wood tabletop. The light, with its tiny stars and soft linen shades, adds to the unwinded state of mind.

The delicious forest-green cabinetry makes the cooking area seem like a rich jewel, with included shimmer from brass chandeliers, the legs of the barstools, and tiny, perfect gold sconces flanking the variety hood. “When it’s illuminated in the evening, this kitchen feels exceptionally romantic,” says Sascha. Double-height cabinets provide double the storage.

Photography: Justin Thomason The extra-large island countertop has space to serve guests or feed kids, while extra storage below, in addition to a broad bank of storage drawers on the side wall, assists keep everything in its location.

Photography: Justin Thomason Inset glass cabinets include a shop feeling within the area of green cabinets, and serve as a stage to show a collection of artisanal serving ware. Touches of light wood in the variety hood, island and the cabinet interiors lighten the total look.

Main. Subtle textural contrasts in between pieces– such as the finely wrought metal frame of an armchair and a nubbly woven planter– keep things pleasingly casual. “With the vibrant kitchen area right next to it, we chose to highlight texture rather than colour in the living space,” says Sascha.

“Drifting” the sofa in the centre of the space helps organize the space into different however adjoined living and dining locations. The chunky console behind it acts as a space divider, along with an additional table for the dining area. Or simply pull up a chair and it functions as a perfect area to catch up on paperwork.

Photography: Justin Thomason The fireplace wall is a study in asymmetrical balance: one side provides shelving for display screen and books, while the other deals additional seating when needed. The white “brick” is really a dealing with product that is available in sheets like tile, offering an easy method to include character.

FRAMED PRINT, West of Main. Checkerboard pattern floorings are a centuries-old classic, however Sascha decided for grey and white rather of the more conventional black and white to keep the scheme soft and light. The combination of the painted wainscotting and checkerboard floor produces graphic interest, however does not overwhelm the space. The corridor that leads from this area sets the phase for the muted natural scheme that flows throughout the home, from the entrance to the garden view beyond the rear windows.

The mudroom– a multipurpose area that functions as kitchen pantry, kids’ coat-room and side entry from the garage– features a hook and bins for each child. Having actually a designated spot for everything, says Sascha, is the trick to keeping an open-plan area neat.

In the basement visitor room, it’s everything about comfort, with a basic metal frame bed dressed in layers upon layers of linens and other natural materials, and the rich, muted colours of a patterned carpet to warm up the broadloom flooring covering. Side tables feature glass vitrines that show favourite things.

An extra restroom proves fantastic design isn’t just about pricey finishes. Laying simple lengthened subway tiles in a herringbone pattern adds a little bit of zing, and the laminate countertop is dressed up with a marble pattern and a raised sink. The black vanity, flooring and fixtures offer contrast.

“We wanted something a bit more subtle in the little girl’s space, so that we do not have to make significant modifications as she gets older,” states Sascha. The giraffe and lion wallpaper is simple to update because it’s just on one wall.

Released at Thu, 18 Mar 2021 21:40:33 +0000