A Toronto couple proves that a mostly white interior can be both stylish and family friendly, while also suiting modern and traditional aesthetics.
For a busy family with three young children, living in a mostly white interior may seem more like a pipe dream than a practical reality. But not for this Toronto couple. When the homeowners built their 2,400-square-foot Georgian-style house two years ago, creating something kid-friendly was a huge priority. And, for the wife, that never meant compromising her love of white. “White makes me feel good. Everything’s so bright; everything’s vibrant,” she says.
Five years ago, when the couple had their second child, they figured it was time to move somewhere that better accommodated their growing family. “We were specifically looking for something we could tear down,” says one of the homeowners. What they found was a bungalow with a private drive and a good-sized lot in a historic east-end Toronto neighbourhood.
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House tour: Trendy and traditional family home
Family room
Built-in cabinets and shelving in the family room offer a spot to tuck away toys, electronics and firewood, and display artwork and accessories. A collection of Andy Warhol-inspired Campbell’s soup cans and a beach photograph provide pops of colour.
House tour: Trendy and traditional family home
Hide sling chairs
In the family room, elements like the hide sling chair, patterned toss cushions and sculptural coffee table lend interest and warmth. The couple created a large kid-friendly (not to mention durable and easy to clean) rug out of carpet tiles.
House tour: Trendy and traditional family home
Sophisticated decor accessories
The interior’s sophisticated look – modern furnishings, contrasting black elements, playful accessories and hits of colour all set against a white background – was partly inspired by the Paris apartments of today.
House tour: Trendy and traditional family home
Black-framed doors
Open to the kitchen, the family room leads to an outdoor deck through stunning black-framed glass doors. “I think those are the showstoppers,” says one of the homeowners. “From the beginning, we had that vision, and we wanted the black to really play off the white walls.”
House tour: Trendy and traditional family home
Dining room lighting
In the dining room, wainscotting and herringbone floors are juxtaposed with a clean-lined marble and clear-lacquered raw steel table surrounded by iconic Mid-Century Modern Eames chairs. The white linen drum pendant lights, lined in a brass colour, add drama.
House tour: Trendy and traditional family home
All-white kitchen
The all-white kitchen features Shaker-style cabinetry, stainless steel appliances, ceramic subway tiles, a custom range hood and brass touches. The couple loves the look of marble, but chose low-maintenance engineered quartz countertops instead.
House tour: Trendy and traditional family home
Bright white
When the homeowners built their 2,400-square-foot Georgian-style house two years ago, creating something kid-friendly was a huge priority. And, for the wife, that never meant compromising her love of white. “White makes me feel good. Everything’s so bright; everything’s vibrant,” she says.
House tour: Trendy and traditional family home
The 411 on this all-white kitchen
Overall style: White + more white = casual sophistication. Favourite feature: The custom-made range hood. After a tedious search for a white model, the couple asked the cabinetmaker to craft one to match the cabinetry. Biggest challenge: Fitting everything they wanted into the maximum square footage they could build. Most budget-friendly purchase: The brass knobs that needed to match the more expensive pulls. "A colleague helped me find them, and they wer only $7 a pop," says one of the homeowners. 1 Remy bar stool in Matte White, Restoration Hardware, $199. 2 Oxford White CC-30 paint, Benjamin Moore.
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