Relaxed Casual in Lighthouse Cove
STORY DONNA LUANGMANY
PHOTOGRAPHY DEVON PASTORIUS
STYLING RICHARD PURSEL & MELISSA WOODROW
Some places were made for a good time. When you pull up to Lighthouse Cove, you can feel your worries melt away. Situated at the mouth of the Thames River, this spot draws boaters and fishermen from all over the province. Previously home to the Lighthouse Inn restaurant, it was once a popular place for perch dinners, too. The homeowners of this story dined there for years.
We brought our kids to eat here every week, even when they were babies,” they recall. “There was one waitress who would walk them to the water to watch the ducks while we had our coffee.”
Many Tilbury residents enjoyed similar experiences until the restaurant closed in 2016. With no offers to continue its legacy, the property was ready for a new era. The homeowners were too. Their kids now grown, it was time to enjoy the slower pace of retirement. With its breathtaking views and a dock for their boat, Lighthouse Cove was calling. They bought the property, tore down the restaurant and built their forever home.
Longtime design enthusiasts, the homeowners had a very clear vision. “We wanted something casual and homey. A little traditional but not too traditional,” she tells us. To bring this vision to life, they assembled a team of experts, including architectural designer Phil Fernandes of Philip Fernandes Designs, builder Gino Piccioni of Timberland Homes and designers Richard Pursel and Melissa Woodrow of Lionheart Home Collection.
Phil designed a shingle-style house with flared walls and sweeping roofs. The dramatic lines give the home a commanding presence. But soft cedar shakes keep the building from being too stuffy. “This is a fun house,” comments Phil. “It’s relaxed and comfortable – perfect for the location.”
The home is 4,200 sq. ft., but size is irrelevant. “Square footage is the least important feature,” Gino says of the house he built. “This is such a special project. It was an honour to be part of it, I couldn’t have asked for a better family to work for. The details in this house are incredible. They make the home what it is.” What it is, is an extraordinary building with exquisite touches throughout.
Some details are grand, like the built-ins by Frank Cremasco Fine Cabinetry in the great room and the herringbone floor in the foyer. Others are smaller, but no less impressive. Custom vent covers blend perfectly with the floor, and rain chains are a smart alternative to downspouts. “The flared walls made it difficult to get eavestroughs tied in,” Gino reports. “The rain chains are such a cool alternative. They’re beautiful and unique. You don’t see them much around here.”
The spacious main floor is a masterclass in contemporary coastal décor. Richard and Melissa outfitted the great room in a crisp neutral palette. Floor-to-ceiling windows (Pella Windows & Doors) are surrounded by white walls and bleached oak floors from Rose City Tile. The Lionheart duo paired plush white furniture with woven seagrass accents, creating a classic Cape Cod-style look. But the addition of modern pieces keeps the space fresh and youthful. The dining table (Lionheart Home Collection), for example, features a white oak top that would fit in any coastal abode. But its lucite legs are a surprising, contemporary twist.
Of all the home’s details, the lighting steals the show. “Lighting is a real key feature in this house,” says Richard. “Most of it is modern, a little oversized. And it’s all spectacular.”
Knowing that lighting is the jewel of any room, the homeowner worked closely with Richard and Melissa to select fixtures.
Among her favourite splurges are a pair of oversize matte black pendants (Lionheart Home Collection) above the kitchen island. Their hammered texture pops in the fresh white kitchen, while a gold leaf inlay casts a warm glow against the quartz counters from Roma Tile.
The Lionheart designers were sure to inject fun and drama into the home. They clad the powder rooms in graphic wallpaper, including a bold fish pattern – a whimsical nod to the homeowners’ love of the water.
Other spaces are more subtle. The stairwell pops with a deep blue herringbone wallpaper that runs to the ceiling. Built-in shelves flank an upholstered bench and a glass pendant fixture adds a touch of sparkle. This space could have easily been overlooked, but clever design has turned it into a cosy reading nook. The homeowners love to curl up here with their grandchildren.
The living space isn’t confined indoors. An expansive terrace with a built-in kitchen and fish fryer allows the family to make the most of their amazing location. “It’s like a second family room,” Gino says of the outdoor space. With remote-controlled screens and heated floors, the family can enjoy it in the cooler weather. In fact, it’s where they spend much of their time, lounging after a dip in the pool or just watching the boats on the water.
Above the terrace, a balcony boasts unobstructed views of the water. On the exterior wall, lights salvaged from the demolition of the restaurant pay homage to a former community staple that many people once enjoyed. The Lighthouse Inn is no longer here, but this property will continue to be a place of happy memories for many years to come. OH
