Back To Nature
STORY RACHAEL HAVENS
PHOTOGRAPHY ROBIN STUBBERT
The great room incorporates wood beams and natural stone. A wood-burning fireplace soars toward the sleek coffered ceiling, drawing the eye up and out to the lush forest.
“Design is not only an acquired skill, but also a natural instinct,” says Lidia van Zyl of LVZ Design. “It’s an appreciation for the smallest of details and the ability to put them together for a functional and beautiful end result.”
This is exactly what Lidia and her lead designer, Hayley Kay, have achieved at a home renovated for a family with three young boys.
The living space is very personal to the homeowners. The grand piano and Mid-century coffee table are treasured family heirlooms. They also finished and installed the barn beams themselves.
The homeowners purchased the home before they had children, but knew it would be their forever home. “We fell in love with the property, but the house was in need of a major renovation,” they say. After seven years, the time had finally come to make the 1960s house their ideal home.
“The upstairs was quite small due to the rooflines, the plumbing didn’t work well and there were several leaks,” say the homeowners. “Downstairs was also compartmentalized. We wanted the interior of the home to match the serenity of the forest surrounding it, with large windows to maximize the view.”
Hayley Kay and Lidia van Zyl of LVZ Design
To execute this vision, the homeowners called on LVZ Design. The space was redesigned in partnership with Phil Lamadeleine from Custom Cadd Inc., who did the architectural design and drawings. The result is a more open-concept feel. “Our goal was to add more bedrooms to have enough space for our family,” the homeowners explain. “We also wanted more bathrooms upstairs since we have so many boys.”
A large island offers plenty of storage, meaning Lidia was able to forgo upper cabinetry over the range in favour of stylish open shelving.
Lidia has been in the design business for more than 15 years and Hayley joined the team a few years ago. Most of their projects are renovations or new builds, often on the waterfront, throughout Simcoe County and the GTA.
Known for her signature style, Lidia is influenced by her South African roots and prioritizing “timeless over trends and leaning toward the quieter side of the colour wheel.” Hayley shares this aesthetic. “We prefer layering and textures in neutral tones, and (maybe) splashes of colour here and there,” she says. This extends to include organic, natural pieces, with real stone and wood.
The homeowners built their rustic dining table, the wood tones recalling the forest seen through the windows.
Whenever possible, LVZ Design incorporates furniture or art that has history and a special place in a client’s heart. In this home it was an extra-long 1970s coffee table, which belonged to the homeowner’s mother. “I am also happy that we now have space for our family heirloom piano, which was a wedding gift to my parents from my grandfather,” the homeowner shares.
The couple’s style is neutral and natural, with a spa-like feel. “We took inspiration from Scandinavian style,” they add. “We are generally minimalist.” LVZ Design was the perfect match. “We really love their taste and it fits our style. They worked well with our preferences and within our budget.”
Lidia and Hayley chose some finishes that the homeowners would have never thought about, but absolutely loved. One example is the natural Venetian-plaster finish used on both the range hood and the wall above the fireplace mantel in the living room. “It’s one of our favourite elements because it’s like looking at art, and it changes in different lights,” the homeowners say. Darren Murphy of deStyle Handcrafted Finishes applied the plaster.
The main-floor white oak doors were the greatest influence on the colour palette for the rest of the home. “We wanted to keep the natural colour of the wood rather than stain it,” say the homeowners. There were also two wood-burning stoves used to heat the house, and both were preserved through the renovation. Sustainability was also important to the homeowners. “We wanted to keep the footprint almost exactly what it was, in order to minimize waste and impact on the environment,” they say.
Warm wood vanities stand out against simple whitewashed walls in the bathrooms. Both spaces embody Lidia’s design ethos, appearing simultaneously effortless and intentional with each careful design choice.
“We want to recognize the work specifically of LVZ Design, as well as our builder, Alair Homes Aurora Newmarket, J Wice Woodworking, and our landscaping contractor, Kingscape Landscape Construction Group. They were incredibly professional and reliable, and all did a fantastic job. We are so happy in our home.” Alisa Delange from Amare Design Interiors also assisted Lidia and Hayley in styling the home for the photo shoot.
Now that their home is complete, the two living spaces are tied for the homeowners’ favourite. “We love the contrast of our high ceilings in the great room – with a floor-to-ceiling fireplace and massive windows – being in the same home as the cosy barn-beam living room,” they say. They finished and installed the beams themselves, making them extra special.
Lidia discusses her company’s ethos when it comes to design. “It is the ability to recognize quality, identify potential and put together pieces in a way that feels both intentional and effortless. No matter what kind of project or budget, our overall design philosophy is the same: quality over quantity.”
It’s certainly a recipe for success. OH