Photography Jackie Noble

Johnstone Homes

Nothing spells sophistication like a smart townhouse. The Dufferin model in north London’s Callingham Mews is one of the Designer Series Towns by Johnstone Homes. The home includes 2,500-plus sq. ft. on three spacious levels. Connor Johnstone sums up the living experience here: “There are many of the designer luxuries we all desire with the added benefit of a low-maintenance home.”

1. Sophisticated styling by designer Joanne Brockmann: “The main open living space offers easy day-to-day living and is also great for entertaining.” Ten-foot ceilings, eight-foot solid core doors (Copp’s Buildall) and expansive engineered hardwood floors (Floorsource Inc.).

2. Attention to functional detailing: Built-in foyer bench, walk-in pantry and sunny laundry/storage room off the kitchen.

3. Stylish extras: A media/games room with attached bathroom, walk-out to ground-level terrace and Mad Men-era bar in the living room.

4. Classic white millwork and trim (Copp’s), including the living room’s panelled fireplace surround with gas insert (My Fireplace).

5. Sleek open-riser staircase with stainless steel and glass railing-system (The Master’s Touch Wood Products Ltd.).

6. Big-scale picture window (Golden Windows) flooding the dining area and kitchen with natural light

7. Elegant kitchen with centre island to gather ‘round. Quartz countertops (Progressive Countertop), upscale appliances (London Major Appliances), custom cupboards (Cardinal Fine Cabinetry) and crisp white subway tile (Centura London).

8. Personal elevator. Accesses all three levels (Cambridge Elevating).

9. Cosy comfort on the carpeted sleeping level where the master en suite features heated porcelain tiling (Century London), a spa-style shower and soaker tub. Bedrooms include the master and two others.

10. Energy Star Certified. Heats and cools evenly, and with greater energy efficiency. OH

XO Homes

A sleek, urban vibe welcomes visitors to XO Homes’ model The Xclusive – one of 12 models available in London’s Uplands North and Creekview neighbourhoods. This 3,000 sq. ft. home has been customized from top to bottom, providing a thorough look at what XO achieves when building a home for today’s modern family. It’s all about personalization. Says Chau Trac, who co-owns XO with Carlos Sousa, “We like to call ourselves boutique custom builders.”

1. Black and white (Black Satin and Super White, both Benjamin Moore) make a bold statement throughout.

2. Fabulous light fixtures from Living Lighting London and Warehouse 74.

3. Exterior landscaping, lighting and sprinkler system by Lighthouse Landscape and Rainforest Sprinklers & Lighting.

4. High-gloss white kitchen cupboards by Martin Jesko Custom Cabinetry and Ohen Emerson Millwork frame stainless appliances from London Major Appliances and complement a sleek waterfall island countertop by Regent Granite & Marble Inc.

5. Architectural details. Chalk Dust TundraBrick feature walls throughout the home (Ferrell Builders’ Supply Ltd.), exposed black iron ceiling beam between the dining room and kitchen, exposed duct work painted black in lower level, and textural barnboard on powder room wall and kitchen island.

6. Stunning Stairway: Custom black metal railing system (Formed Metal Co.) and open-riser treads (London Stair & Railing Co. Ltd.) set the stage for a Sputnik-inspired chandelier (Living Lighting London) and two-storey window with stacked panes.

7. Contemporary black-framed windows inside and out (Dashwood Industries Inc.).

8. Customer service: “We help people find their end goals,” Chau says, adding it’s important to treat buyers individually, asking questions such as, “Do you want a forever home, or a temporary one?”

9. Stylish and bright lower level with kitchenette, dining table and spacious living area with fireplace (My Fireplace).

10. Spa style master en suite with decorative shower tiling (Sacwal Flooring Centres), soaker tub (London Bath Centre) and sleek black blinds (Budget Blinds of London). OH

Sifton Properties

Given its location in the Ilderton countryside just north of London, sunny touches of farmhouse inspiration make sense. But Sifton décor-designer consultants Gabi Brown and Georgia Murray involved other influences as well in their detailing of the 2,247 sq. ft. model The Silver Maple. The result is a pleasing welcome to a family home that is rich with texture and colour, and a hands-down 10 for liveability.

1. Blonde wide-plank floors by Sacwal Flooring Centres London in principal living areas. “We’re doing a lot of hand-scraped floors these days,” notes Gabi.

2. Bold, black accents like farmhouse-style metal pendant lights over the kitchen island (The Lighting Shoppe).

3. Combination finishes. “We mixed black with chrome, which people are often reluctant to do until they see how great it looks,” Georgia says of blending master bath plumbing finishes (Brouwer Plumbing & Heating).

4. A vaulted ceiling to maximize space and light in the open-concept living area.

5. A layering of textures and contrasts. A cotton-leather woven rug in the living room plus accent chair cushions and a Moroccan-style hallway rug by Emily Michelle Interiors.

6. The eclectic kitchen mixes contemporary shaker white cabinets and island (GCW Custom Kitchens & Cabinetry Inc.) with Silestone quartz countertops and rustic Portuguese backsplash tiles (Centura London).