Family Focused and Fabulous
STORY: DENISE O’CONNELL | PHOTOGRAPHY: LARRY ARNAL
When Ashley Bonello and Michelène Segodnia of RÜME DESIGN began working together four years ago, their first collaborative project came to them from a young family who had just bought a home in Markham.
For the young family, the laundry room is a key room. Here it seamlessly blends utility and style, featuring muted tones and an intricate backsplash.
“The home was an existing townhome, likely built around the 1970s,” says Ashley. “It was smaller and cosier than the home they came from, but there was so much charm and potential, and they fell in love with it.” The family loved the street, a quiet court backing onto woodland. The home just needed some love to make it theirs, and to make it more functional for what this family needed. The couple decided on an extensive renovation of the main floor. It was the skill of Corless & Blyth Contracting Inc. that would encourage function and family togetherness.
The family was easy-going with their instructions, relying on and entrusting the design duo’s vision for the space. Rather than being focused on creating a showhome and space for entertaining, the homeowners really wanted to create a warm and welcoming space for themselves and their immediate family, with everyday living in mind, says Michelène.
“The home is a real mix of styles,” says Ashley. “We have some transitional elements, but also there is a Boho and a farmhouse feel to it. In terms of colour, we went with light and airy whites with hints of blues and greens.”
Flooring throughout most of the space is a light wideplank hardwood by Aspen Wood Floors, setting the tone with a natural warm feel. Strategically-placed area rugs define functional areas. Just inside the home, a curved staircase in white is accented with natural wood railings and treads by Marango Stairs. A vignette with a bench seat and art ensures that the wall underneath the stairs has visual interest.
White Shaker-style cabinetry by Houser Fine Cabinetry in Benjamin Moore White Dove is warmed with gold hardware and gold fixtures.
The kitchen is the heart of everyday living. The original kitchen was small, but Ashley and Michelène took the existing formal dining room and opened it to create a large, open kitchen. White Shaker-style cabinetry by Houser Fine Cabinetry in Benjamin Moore White Dove is warmed with gold hardware and gold fixtures. The designers wanted natural elements to warm the space and natural wood on the island offers a place for the family to gather. There’s another sink in the beautiful white quartz countertops by Premium Marble & Granite for grabbing a glass of water or washing up. Copper pendant lights above also keep the white from looking too stark.
Storage was a main goal in the kitchen, says Michelène. The design solutions stylishly accomplish their objectives. “The kitchen has enough storage, with every inch of usable space taken advantage of,” she says. The tile on the backsplash is a focal point of the room. The bold black, white and cream arabesque pattern under the range hood is a classic feature in a space with modern touches.
The designers had some challenges with the kitchen they needed to overcome, specifically the beamed ceilings. As a structural element, the beams could not be removed, so they used a coffered ceiling to integrate the beams and create a sophisticated and clean look overhead.
Just off the kitchen, a cosy nook is a warm and welcoming dining space, with muted tones and an organic and natural wood pedestal table, painted Lush by Benjamin Moore.
A cosy breakfast nook feels intimate in front of a forest green barn board backdrop in Benjamin Moore Lush and a small strip of wallpaper featuring eucalyptus leaves along the top. The banquette seating also contains more storage underneath.
“Often people worry about wallpaper being too much,” says Michelène, “But using it as a detail or focal point can really elevate a space.” The wallpaper is also replicated in the powder room. Wallpaper in small spaces can be intimidating, but with less contrast in the pattern and something not too busy, it can liven up a small room. The powder room features a natural oak vanity and wicker sconces by Light House Co. The wicker warms up the room and adds a natural element.
The laundry room seamlessly blends utility and style, featuring muted tones of Benjamin Moore Bali and an intricate backsplash.
A similar leaf-patterned wallpaper in white and black also created a background for a wall of cubbies and cabinetry in the mudroom/laundry room painted Benjamin Moore Bali. This room is designed to keep all clutter at bay. The designers created a new door to the home from the garage. This meant losing a hall closet, but the designers make up for it with organizational space. The room offers a place for muddy boots and coats and a beautiful space to throw in the laundry and store detergent out of view.
Herringbone tile surround by Centura Tile. Wall colour is Benjamin Moore Lush.
Herringbone tile on the floor from Centura Tile is distinct from the wide-plank hardwood throughout the home but is durable and will stand up to messes and leaks. The herringbone is also replicated on the fireplace surround in the living room and adds some texture to the white mantel. The same Benjamin Moore Lush from the breakfast nook can also be found in the living room, offering a bit of drama and impact from the otherwise light and airy colours.
Both Ashley and Michelène love the way their renovation transformed their clients’ home. “The living space really exudes relaxation and comfort,” says Ashley. “It feels like home, but also has a sophistication that elevates day-to-day life.” OH
The Best of Ontario - Toronto | York Region - Late Fall 2024