Relaxed Casual
STORY GEORGETTE MCCULLOCH
PHOTOGRAPHY SANDY MACKAY
Lisa and Craig Harris seached for two years for a lakefront property near their marina in Lefroy. They finally discovered the ideal home on the south end of Lake Simcoe in 2011.
“We really lIked the charm of it,” says Lisa. But the timing wasn’t right. Winter was coming and they were reluctant to list their Caledon home. “When the home was still available in the spring,” says Lisa, “we decided to go for it. We liked the fact that we were familiar with the area, the home itself was low maintenance and it was the right size for us.” Over the years, the couple have made many changes, renovating and decorating inside and out.
Eight years later, Craig is now semi- retired and Lisa is a partner in Willow Lane Interiors, a charming home décor and design studio in Park Place, located in Barrie’s south end. “I have always been a design enthusiast and when I left my previous career I worked at a home décor chain and really enjoyed it,” Lisa says. “When my partners, Sherri Coulson, a designer, and Alexandra Coulson, who has
a background in kitchen and bath design, approached me with the idea of opening a storefront design studio, I thought it would be a great challenge.”
Lisa, Sherri and Alexandra are celebrating the studio’s first anniversary after a year of success and a few challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Thankfully, their clients have embraced the casual elegance of Willow Lane’s whole-home furniture and accessories.
At home, Lisa describes her style as “relaxed casual” – where every room is used and enjoyed, and where their families and friends come to play.
Their favourite features are the lake views, the A-frame design and the low- maintenance exterior and deck. Lisa’s eye for detail shines with the right mix of features and furnishings that create a luxe look that’s super-comfortable.
Lisa painted the main living areas on both levels Muslin by Benjamin Moore, a tranquil off-white that complements the neutral furnishings throughout the home.
The foyer is furnished with a custom-sized camel-coloured leather sofa to sink into when the weather turns. But it’s the view to the lake that inspires happiness in the Harris home. You get a glimpse from the simply elegant dining room fitted with a solid wormy maple table surrounded by cream-coloured custom upholstered Parsons chairs from Willow Lane Interiors.
Matching wool rugs anchor the dining room and living room, where a stacked-stone fireplace defines the space. The living room offers plenty of room to relax or entertain a crowd. The large kitchen is just steps away with plenty more room to congregate around the granite-topped island. The walls are lined with an abundance of maple cabinetry.
French doors along the entire back wall lead outside to the maintenance-free composite deck where Lisa has created three areas of escape – one for dining, another for sun-bathing and a place to lounge with family and friends – all beautifully styled with the latest accessory collections from Willow Lane Interiors.
“I wanted to curate the same casual elegance as the store,” says Lisa, describing how she combines lifestyle with design in her own home. “Using a palette of textures and soothing tones, we’ve created an environment that is timeless and comfortable.” This philosophy resonates with their clients at the design studio. “We believe the store reflects our commitment to designing a space that is light,
airy and bright.”
Upstairs at the Harris home, Lisa and Craig say their master bedroom is like living in a tree house, and you can see why. The view across the lake from two sets of french doors is incredible. They positioned their bed in the middle of the room so they can wake up in every season to that view. During the colder months, they start the fireplace for added warmth.
Their en suite is their latest project. In a scheme of black, white, grey and beige, it’s a timeless combination with fashionable touches, including a round mirror over a shaker-style, quartz-topped vanity and an upholstered bench. The black hardware and fixtures stand out while the skylight lets in the sunshine.
There’s lots of room down the hall for visiting family.
Lisa and Craig are clearly comfortable in their beautiful home. After all, it’s everything they wanted when they decided to move north years ago.
“It is a great house for entertaining family and friends and we really enjoy the access to swimming and boating,” says Craig. “It is also beautiful to watch the lake change during each season.”
