This single-family 4,500-sq.-ft. home was designed for comfort, ease and luxury living. From the outset, the goal was to build a large house and design a home that would leave a lasting impression. A place loved for its character rather than its address.
The homeowners, a couple with a growing family, envisioned a multi-generational home where they could periodically host their in-laws. With three floors, the carefully thought-out design comprises a main level with an elegant entrance foyer, home office, living room, dining room, powder room, family room, kitchen and adjacent butler’s pantry; a second level with four bedrooms and a laundry room with hallway access; a 460-sq.-ft. master suite with a 150-sq.-ft. walk-in closet and 200-sq.-ft. ensuite bathroom; and on the lower level, a finished basement. An elevator located near the kitchen provides easy movement to all levels.
Welcome home
The entry was carefully designed to make a good first impression and flow smoothy toward the back of the house. A see-through slatted divider separates the living room from the foyer. The design provides a measure of privacy, and as you move forward, the large space is gradually revealed. At the front of the house is the home office, which buffers the worker from distractions in the main living areas. The office ceiling height and millwork were carefully chosen to support focus. When the room shifts from quiet work to meetings – online or in person – concealed lighting emerges.
The central staircase is the home’s defining architectural statement. Two large skylights draw natural light from the top floor, filtering it down through the house. The adjacent wall is clad in custom chevron-patterned millwork, with directional lines that gently guide the eye upward. At night, hidden lighting in the wall transforms it into a dynamic feature that is functional, without being jarring. Throughout the home, pot lights and lighting are part of a fully automated smart home and can be altered to enhance different moods and uses.
The main floor
The kitchen sits at the back of the main level. Instead of relying on symmetry, the design embraces balance through proportion and flow. None of the walls mirror each other, yet the space feels grounded and comfortable, a place for cooking, conversation and gathering. The island anchors functionality and sociability, a centre of activity where meals are prepared as friends lean in for laughter and long conversations.
A key visual feature is the backsplash, where tile with a wood-like texture echoes the real wood used throughout the cabinetry and millwork. This thoughtful pairing creates continuity and unity, with different materials sending the same message. Rather than standing apart, they complement each other, and the result is cohesive and intentional.
The open-concept layout connects the kitchen and family room in a way that is functionally spacious and welcoming without sacrificing comfort. While occupying one large area, each room has its own identity yet are obviously entwined. This connection is carried from the kitchen into the family room, where the fireplace is clad in floor-to-ceiling grey slabs that harmonize with the kitchen’s palette.
Upstairs
The second floor is reserved for family life and private living, with bedrooms designed for comfort and ease. Each features its own ensuite bathroom and walk-in closet. In the primary ensuite bathroom, the monochromatic palette reflects the homeowners’ preferences and is highlighted in the floor and walls with black-and-white slabs. A custom vanity and tailored mirrors complete the space.
Downstairs
The basement is designed for entertainment and functionality. As a nod to practical considerations, there is another laundry room, the furnace, cold storage and the entrance to a two-car garage. With family relaxation and interaction in mind, there is also a recreation room with plenty of natural light, a bar, pool table, powder room and a bedroom with an ensuite for when the in-laws visit. Here, functionality meets with personality.
The big picture
With this home, every decision has been part of a larger picture to balance individual needs and preferences with cohesion, openness, privacy and calm energy. It is a house designed not to impress at first glance, but to be remembered long after you leave.