House Tours
This Toronto Home Gets A Botanical Makeover
Photography, Virginia Macdonald
House Tours
This Toronto Home Gets A Botanical Makeover
A Toronto abode gets a new lease on life with a makeover as fresh as a spring garden.
Designer Gillian Gillies first decorated her client’s townhome 12 years ago and was excited to be invited back for a refresh that would extend beyond the optical intrigue of decor. “The house is now just over 20 years old and some of the original elements were showing signs of age,” she says. In other words, it was the perfect time to meld clever renovations with a fresh shift in the aesthetic tone. Construction projects in the 4,500-square-foot space would include replacing the builder-issued flooring and updating the powder room and bathroom. For the style overhaul, Gillian envisioned a tailored, fashion-forward home, and brought that to fruition with layers of colour, texture and pattern, underpinned by a curated mix of furniture. The overall feel is light and lively and, most important, in step with the owner’s lifestyle. “Before the redo, the owner had entertained moving, but now she can enjoy her home for years to come,” says Gillian. “The new space is like a breath of fresh air.”
Design, Gillian Gillies Interiors. Paint, Dimity 2008, Farrow & Ball. Berget Sand Ceiling Wallpaper, Fabricut. Drapery Fabric, Chiang Mai Dragon In Blush, Schumacher. Sofa, Accent Chairs, Cocktail Table, Sconces, South Hill Home. Yellow Egg Chair, Torp.
Before
“The drapery’s blush, green and yellow hues were the starting point for the entire scheme,” says designer Gillian Gillies. Rather than try to hide the slightly curved windows, Gillian played them up with the furnishings, and says, “Curves aid in flow and the added rounded corners are also better for everyone’s hips and knees!” For the walls, she chose a soft blush tone she calls her “favourite non-colour colour,” and for the ceiling, a gold-dotted linen wallpaper that shimmers in the afternoon sun.
“Why not paint interior doors a colour? We have a motto in the studio, which is ‘you never have to leave a door white.’”
Welcoming foyer
Gillian animated the entry foyer from the ground up. “The original builder had run the same tile from the foyer into the kitchen and powder room,” she says. “I opted to shrink the amount of tile to just the entry, and added striking black-and-ivory geometric tiles.” They create a jewel-box moment upon entry and, spied from the kitchen, that effect is furthered by the slate black interior doors, a patterned upholstered stool and cool pendant light.
Lancaster Checkerboard Floor Tiles, Cercan Tile. Door Paint, Stoke Cc7, Farrow & Ball. Stool, Kravet; Fabric, Métaphores. Pendant Light, Trueing.
Before
Quirky kitchen
Paint, Slipper Satin 2004 (Millwork), Bancha 298 (Range Hood), Farrow & Ball. Plaster Relief, Anthony Valin Studios. Pendant Light, Made Goods. Scribe Stool Fabric, Kerry Joyce.
The kitchen’s millwork was in good order, so Gillian refreshed it with paint. “There was no reason to simply change for change’s sake,” she says. “I only changed the fan hood.” She painted it a striking green to give the pale scheme a lift and reference the leafy tones in the living room. Custom stools further the palette and a pendant light is playful. “Its oversized scale was intentional, and I love how it looks like a skirt ruffled in the breeze.”
“Lighting is a core value in our designs, and we loved the playfulness of the pendant.”
“The homeowner collects art, and this custom plaster botanical relief feature brings art to the kitchen beautifully while also echoing the florals in the living room and powder room,” says Gillian.
Whimsical wallpaper
Mary Mcdonald’s Chinois Palais Wallpaper, Schumacher. Faucet, Sink, Kohler.
Before
“The powder room is diminutive in scale, so I wanted to go big with the porcelain vanity-top sink,” says Gillian. “The generous surround allows space for hand soap and lotions, and it’s held in a polished nickel frame that allows space to hang towels. I didn’t want the visual clutter of towel rings or shelves.” High-spirited wallpaper adds whimsy.
Pattern play
Parasol Stitch Grasscloth Wallpaper, Phillip Jeffries. Table, Robert James Collection. Custom Dining Chairs, Gillian Gillies Interiors. Gervasoni Pendant Light, South Hill Home. Paula Murray Porcelain Vessel, Oeno Gallery.
Before
The dining room is a hymn to texture and pattern, with embroidered grasscloth wallpaper, dupioni silk drapes with beaded trim, and an inventive mix of dining chairs. Gillian says, “The end chairs are green mohair, which continues the greens from the adjoining spaces, while the side chairs are ivory bouclé to complement the curtains and wallpaper.” The pendant has a lighthearted feel.
Inviting and ethereal
Wallpaper, Mark Alexander’s Paperweave Grasscloth In Almond, Romo. Custom Bed, Headboard, Bedside Tables, Dresser, Gillian Gillies Interiors. Julie Himel Painting, Oeno Gallery.
Before
“The primary bedroom walls are covered in a delicious grasscloth that adds texture without pattern to cocoon the space,” says Gillian. “The ceiling is painted soft blue to give it an ethereal feel.” A custom-designed dresser and swivel chair create a comfortable seating area in the large room. “This room is soft and inviting and the perfect space to switch off at the end of the day.”
Airy ensuite
Watercolour Silver Wall Tiles, Cercan Tile. Sink, Kallista. Highgate Quartz Vanity Countertop, Cambria. The Chord Pendant Light, Alexallen Studio.
Before
In the primary ensuite, large-format glossy porcelain tiles with a cloud-like pattern wrap the room for an airy effect. Gillian opted for one large mirror as a backdrop for the dynamic arched pendant light. A freestanding tub allowed more floor space, which was used to increase the size of the shower, and the sink shape is an interesting alternative to traditional silhouettes.
“I’m a fabric girl at heart and so is the homeowner. Even in the bathroom, the window has both semi-sheer roman blinds and floor-length curtains.”
Vibrant florals
Whitman Sconces, Visual Comfort. Wallpaper, Christopher Farr Cloth’s Peonies In Fuchsia, Kravet.
The guest bathroom vanity was in excellent condition, so Gillian and her team focused on updating the lighting, mirrors and walls. A daredevil approach to colour and pattern netted this gorgeous peony-print wallpaper, and the new sconces and mirrors lend a warm vibe with touches of brass.
“We wanted to add some vibrant colour and energy to the guest bathroom and this wallpaper does just that!”
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