INTERIORS FALL 2009 | Dream Client

DREAM CLIENT

Regina Sturrock describes a project guided by the demands of an imaginary family of four

• The interlacing circle pattern found in the leaded glass transoms and sidelites subtly repeats in the home’s great room coffee tables
• The kitchen’s repetition of classical motifs such as acanthus scrolls sets a strong architectural tone
• Crystal details capitalize stylishly on the home’s natural illumination
• The chandelier-patterned fabric used on the dining room’s host and hostess chairs are a quirky reference to the twin chandeliers hanging over the table
• The chandelier-patterned fabric used on the dining room’s host and hostess chairs are a quirky reference to the twin chandeliers hanging over the table
• Project principals Regina Sturrock and Laurel Nicholson created an animated space by injecting shots of citrus greens, yellows and fuchsia to play up the home’s contemporary vibe
• Often echoing the home’s millwork, details in the subtly layered space reveal themselves over time, an aesthetic that’s altogether uncommon in off-the-rack model units
• Soft tone studies and sculptural detail put the emphasis on form and profile, and impress without clamouring for attention, a balance that Sturrock and Nicholson find intuitively
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Our projects are largely driven by the individualism of our clients. Our mantra is that a beautifully designed environment can only be fully realized through personalization. To breathe life into our designs we take cues from our clients’ particular lifestyles and tastes, their inspirations and motivations and, ultimately, from what makes them most happy. For this reason our portfolio is very diverse and decidedly eclectic.

Designing a model home presented the unique challenge of creating a space without this interaction. Our process was alternatively backed by research in demographics and lifestyle trends and how this would relate to our design. Armed with this feedback, our goal was to create a home with real-life character that would resonate with personalities and individual uniqueness. A family of four (a professional couple with a 15-year-old son and nine-year-old daughter) was invented in order to lead this determination. We wanted to ensure that when walking through the space, visitors could relate to the home on a personal level.

Our first opportunity to work with Marz Homes presented itself about three years ago. A long-standing client had employed us to design their new lakeside home which was to be built by Marz. We were given artistic licence to customize the home to our client’s needs and tastes from the building stages to its completion. It was a beautiful outcome and we established a good working relationship with Marz Homes and their tradespeople.

Last year, we were approached by Marz to design the model for their latest lakeside development. We began with initial meetings to brainstorm architectural planning and details to ensure that the home functioned optimally in terms of layout and design, reflecting the lifestyle of the builder’s projected clientele. There was very little restriction when it came to the design direction. Marz Homes gave us full licence to freely entertain new ideas and concepts. It was rather invigorating and liberating to create an “ideal” space from our own perspective.

For this project, our goal was to create a strong architectural presence through the use of millwork details with a sculptural aesthetic. We decided to wrap these features in soft colour in order to emphasize their forms and profiles, which are further enhanced by the abundant natural light and its attendant shadows. With this nuanced backdrop, a dramatic black and white colour scheme with bold, oversized patterns had plenty of room to perform. We were aiming for a bright and animated space, choosing shots of citrus greens, yellows and fuchsia to give a contemporary vibe to the house’s traditional sensibility. We also introduced a variety of reflective surfaces such as polished stone, crystal, and leaded glass with subtle patterns and textures in the transition spaces. Gauzy sheers softly filter the light rather than obstruct it. Where hardwood was used, we chose a rich walnut in order to ground the palette in this light-infused space.

We repeated the sculptural architectural mouldings in the master bedroom, especially on the three dimensional ceiling detail. The master suite design is intended to impart a tranquil and elegant ambience with a monochromatic envelope, spanning off-white to cream and gold, allowing the textural variations to play a larger role. The space is very tactile and comprises lustrous silk, volumes of satin sheer, velvet and metallic brocade. Again, we capitalized on the natural illumination through the use of various reflective materials: crystal, chrome and mirror.

Throughout the house, we wanted a classic vibe with simple yet substantial profiles, to play against the more delicate lines of the French-inspired furnishings. We then took the prominent motifs and replicated them in fabrics and furnishings. I think we’ve created a “layered” space – the details reveal themselves over time. There is a resurgence of interest in classic historical design, perhaps a rebound from the stark modernism which has been dominant in design for so long. Pieces like the Starck “ghost chairs,” a contemporary twist on a classic profile, are great transitional pieces that allow a space to move fluidly between traditional and modern elements. Our clients today are very design-savvy, and are looking for individualized interiors that reflect their taste and interests, rather than a slavish “showroom” look.

We were able to custom design virtually every detail of the millwork, and Marz’s own tradespeople provided the workmanship, and with great results. For furnishings, we used Gresham House for all the upholstery pieces, a trade-only company based in Oakville. Our custom window treatments and other soft goods such as bedding were sewn by KLB Interiors, our workroom of choice. Abbey Stained Glass in Burlington executed our transom and sidelite designs. The antiqued patina on the custom refrigerator doors was done by Horrocks & Co., and I painted a lot of the artwork myself.

The project feedback has been overwhelmingly positive: People are saying that this home has a very different vibe to other model homes – that it’s a very personal space, warm, fresh and stimulating. Sales agents on site have told us that people often say that it’s the most beautiful model home they’ve ever seen, which makes me proud. And, needless to say, our imaginary family is very happy here.