Comfort and joy emanate from this festive family home, where real greenery, natural accents and cheery colours add holiday flourish

The fragrant aroma of fresh pine boughs, spicy ginger cookies and buttery shortbread fills the air as a close circle of family arrives at Peter and Tracy Bissonnette’s lakefront getaway in Kelowna, B.C. The home is as warm as a mug of hot chocolate and as festive as all get out, which makes designer Chandra Payer pretty pleased. “I wanted it to feel cozy and nostalgic with a touch of whimsy,” says Chandra. The designer worked closely with Tracy to update the space from 5,100 square feet of dated French Country blah to 8,500 square feet of colourful comfort that’s perfect for welcoming their bubble of close family members. “Family traditions are very important for the Bissonnettes and I decorated the house to respect past memories and, I hope, anticipate new ones.”

Photography: Mackenzie Jane Dempsey

Backcountry Style

Photography: Mackenzie Jane Dempsey

Canoes, snowshoes and skis are key in the rustic decor. “These are from the owners’ curated collection of antiques,” says designer Chandra Payer. “They wanted the space to feel like a whimsical spot where guests could drop their skis and snowshoes and sit down for a warm meal by the fire.” Colourful Hudson’s Bay stripes play off the fireplace’s deep blue paint, which evokes a waterway. The dining room’s showstopper cabinet (opposite) echoes this with its porthole shape.

Photography: Mackenzie Jane Dempsey

Green Christmas

Photography: Mackenzie Jane Dempsey | DESIGN, Chandra Payer, Absolute Interior Design. WALL PAINT, Dard Hunter Green SW0041, Sherwin Williams. CHANDELIER, Bethel Lighting International. Custom-made TABLE TREATMENT, KLAD Surfaces. Woven CHAIRS, round CABINET, RH. EVERGREENS, Plantscapes Inc.

In the dining room, Chandra and Tracy channelled the feeling of a magical wintry lodge. They chose hunter-green paint to envelop most of the space, and stained and lacquered the wall of wood panelling for rustic charm. “I wanted a woodsy, outdoor ambiance so added full-sized artificial pine and spruce trees wrapped in burlap,” says Chandra. A dramatic salvaged antler chandelier furthers the lodge look, while the custom-made table with sleek brass-like finish is set with wood chargers that layer in warmth and texture.

Photography: Mackenzie Jane Dempsey

Bold as Brass

Photography: Mackenzie Jane Dempsey | STOVE, La Cornue. Rock WALL TREATMENT, Wavestone Sculpture. CABINET, Wood Butcher Millwork. SCONCES, Hudson Valley Lighting. WREATHS, Absolute Interior Design.

“The stunning La Cornue Grand Palais stove in Lafayette blue was the jumping-off point for the kitchen’s colour scheme,” says Chandra. “We designed and customized the cabinetry in an identical blue and added brass accents to work seamlessly with the stove, which is truly a piece of art.” The interesting wall treatment is a plaster finish designed to mimic old-world stone masonry. This impressive backdrop is augmented by the most humble of holiday accents: handmade cedar wreaths and simple red cushions, which inject a pop of festive colour. Chandra says, “A fresh potted miniature pine tree adds a holiday vibe, while gifts in quaint brown paper with beautiful bows play up the anticipation of Christmas morning surprises.”

Photography: Mackenzie Jane Dempsey

Country House Chic

Photography: Mackenzie Jane Dempsey | CHAIRS, Wayfair. Fireplace TILES, Home Depot Canada. STOCKINGS, Pottery Barn.

In the kitchen’s sitting room, Chandra and Tracy flanked the coffee table with structured blue and white chairs with a lake house feel and are a snazzy juxtaposition to the fireplace’s whimsical tiles. “The vintage stockings and paper-wrapped presents create a wonderfully nostalgic feeling of a classic Christmas,” says Chandra. “This is, after all, the spot for Christmas Eve storytelling and eggnog by the fire.” Red cushions delight with a holiday pop.

Photography: Mackenzie Jane Dempsey

Haute Hibernation

Photography: Mackenzie Jane Dempsey | WREATH, wooden TREE, Absolute Interior Design. BEDDING, Pottery Barn. PENDANT LIGHT, BEDSIDE TABLE, bedside LANTERN, MOOSE, RH.

“This bedroom’s traditional plaid cushions, fresh evergreen wreath and warm wood shiplap create the perfect spot for a winter’s night slumber,” says Chandra. “The bedside lantern and moose accent are reminiscent of a cozy woodsy cabin, and the handmade wooden Christmas tree and festive red-and-white bedding add to the holiday mood.”

Photography: Mackenzie Jane Dempsey

Into the Woods

Photography: Mackenzie Jane Dempsey | DOORS, Windowland Construction. Frisia TILES, Wayfair. MURAL, easywallz.com. PENDANT LIGHT, Currey & Co. MIRROR, Olive and Elle. SINK, Kohler.

The stunning and highly imaginative powder room is decidedly dramatic.
“The double-arched doors were designed to create a unique entry into a magical, forested powder room,” says Chandra. “The application of green tiles on the entry wall adds visual and tactile texture and creates a hint of what’s to come.” The customized wall mural transforms the interior into a deep forest green space that was played up for the holidays. “The black coated wall-hung sink with metal ladder mirror provide a spot to incorporate festive pine cone and berry accents.” The embroidered monogrammed towels are a luxurious element. It all adds up to, as Chandra says, “a powder room experience that is extraordinary.”

Photography: Mackenzie Jane Dempsey