Peaceful Sanctuary
STORY MARG BRUINEMAN | PHOTOGRAPHY NAT CARON
The Muskoka room was the dream goal for the homeowners in this renovated Innisfil home. Floor-to-ceiling windows looking over a wooded yard is a key factor to its success.
The moment you walk into Amanda and Matthew Johnston’s country home you are greeted by the vast, woodsy expanse that is their backyard, courtesy of the oversize window in their great room across from the front entranceway.
It’s something of a theme. A similar, but even grander view is on display through a series of floor-to-ceiling windows in the adjacent Muskoka room – available every time the young family of four enters the house from the garage. “It’s just so beautiful. You don’t need art, you have nature,” marvels Amanda, enjoying the beautiful scene with the renovations complete.
Another view of the Muskoka room in the Johnston’s home is created with natural wood, leather and cloth furnishings (most from Shoppe White House), together with a cosy Benjamin Moore Stonecutter wall colour.
“I love this room, morning, day and night,” adds Matthew, delighted that the existing space managed to accommodate a Muskoka room. While the couple has lived in a number of homes across Simcoe County, Innisfil’s South Shore Woods lakeside neighbourhood was special to Matthew. He grew up in the area. When the house on this spacious four-plus-acre lot became available, he knew they had found home. Almost.
The problem was the house didn’t seem to easily lend itself to the family that sought an open-concept, light-imbued setting with a cosy feel. They asked full-service residential interior design firm White House Design to redesign the home’s interior.
“There were walls, rooms and angles everywhere,” explains Trisha Bowman, senior designer at White House Designs. “Our intention was to make it open concept and provide better flow. The main focus was the layout. We wanted to create a much better, more practical layout for them and then modernize the design of the home as well.”
The original design of the not-yet-20-year-old house didn’t easily lend itself to a facelift. In fact, says Trisha, it wasn’t until her team created a walkthrough video of the planned changes that the Johnstons were able to envision the final product. Perry Custom Homes completed the renovation.
Walls in the 3,500 sq. ft. space were removed. Every aspect of the original design and elements, including doors (Barrie Trim and Mouldings Inc.) and floors (Bayfield Carpet & Flooring), were replaced during the spring-to-fall renovation. Larger windows took the place of the original windows, inviting in the natural light along with the surrounding nature. Instead of walls, the placement of rugs and furniture (Shoppe White House) defines the great room and dining area.
“They did everything, which was a very large reno,” marvels Amanda. “And the best part for me and Matt was that they were on time. The appliances took longer to come than the reno.” Another bonus was that the project came in on budget, with the builder and designer making adjustments along the way if some elements proved too costly.
In designing the space, there was concern that one of the two bedrooms off the main area was too visible, so a wall was extended to the small area giving access to the bedrooms to obstruct the view. A bathroom, accessible through pocket doors on either side, is shared by both bedrooms. The bedrooms and an office off the entranceway all have inviting seating in the window nooks.
The original concept was to create an independent Muskoka room, detached and separated from the rest of the space. But Trisha could see by removing walls and relocating the kitchen that the original footprint could accommodate space that would have the feel of a Muskoka room, complete with a large stone fireplace, dark walls and large furniture, making it far more accessible.
In the spacious primary en suite, with the vanity from Tassé Design Inc. and fixtures from Bathworks, angles were squared off to offer a more practical layout. Combined with the primary bedroom, the result is a serene space with light.
The kitchen, great room, primary bedroom, en suite and closet are all painted Benjamin Moore White Dove.
The custom kitchen, also sourced through Tassé Design Inc., is prominently centred in the house across from the Muskoka room. The main work area is uniquely framed-in along one wall, containing several unique design features that include a backsplash created from the same quartz countertop used in the large island. The backsplash and kitchen counters are Cambria from Elegant Solutions.
The new open concept of the shared living areas easily lends itself to entertaining. Amanda and Matthew have accommodated 40-50 people comfortably for a wedding, as well as a baby shower.
“These clients were just an absolute dream to work with,” says Trisha. “They were the sweetest, they never complained, they never hesitated with the ideas I brought up. They were just lovely, lovely people to work with.” Trisha, Anne, Amanda and Matthew are all delighted with the end result. OH