Design Stories: The Treehouse
STORY NANCY EGAN
PHOTOGRAPHY SANDY MACKAY
Nestled among the trees of Collingwood sits Living Stone Golf resort, formerly known as Cranberry resort. A longtime destination for skiers and nature enthusiasts, its condominium community is experiencing a resident changeover as the pandemic world continues to see many shifts from city life to small-town charm.
Designer and artist Sheila Britton calls her three-storey condominium The Treehouse. Her front foyer vignette showcases mirrored typeset drawers, an homage to the original owner who was in the printing business. Mirrored walls help create a light, airy introduction to the space.
Working with Renovate Inc. on updates to the 1,100 sq. ft. space, Sheila wanted to reflect the property’s history and her own aesthetic, while connecting the interior and exterior. A fresh take on a classic treehouse feel is achieved, thanks to plenty of pine, carefully curated accessories, handpainted customizations and Sheila’s original artwork throughout.
Keen to keep the space multifunctional, Sheila equipped the first bedroom on the ground floor with a daybed, complete with trundle for additional guest space, as well as a small office and art space. Passing through the laundry area en route to the guest bathroom, a boho contemporary aesthetic connects antiques, including a cabinet used for storage and laundry, with the modernity of the bathroom’s clean lines.
The second guest room on this floor features an outdoor patio with access to the woods, accentuating the treehouse feel. The furniture stays on-trend with original rattan pieces as well as new furnishings.
Moving upstairs to the second floor, the treehouse trend becomes pervasive with a hand-painted birch-tree backsplash and a multi-storey tree dominating the open-plan kitchen and dining space. A bird’s nest chair offers loungers the perfect perch.
It’s clear Sheila has thought through every interaction between décor selections. Custom artwork in the main space creates a perfect fit for the sloped ceiling and height of the tree. Sheila says designing a home is like painting a large canvas, only in three dimensions.
Sheila sees her role as an advisor as well as a designer. She uses a collaborative process that keeps clients’ needs and wishes at the forefront, incorporating family antiques and treasures into projects that inject history and soul. She thoroughly enjoys the process of design with her clients. “As well as having a solid plan at the beginning, being open to new ideas that evolve along the way, and sometimes changing direction, all contribute to a successful end result,” Sheila says.
Her own kitchen and living space are a perfect example, treasured mid-century family furniture, furnishings from previous owners, new flooring from Northland Custom Flooring, pieces from Too Good To Be Through and Loved You Madly, and photographs by her daughter, food photographer, blogger and author Sarah Britton.
Past and present themes continue in the primary bedroom in the loft on the third floor. Treasures here include repurposed antique textiles, her great-grandfather’s wicker chair and a custom headboard made from an old plank. A fresh paint treatment follows the angle of the staircase to divide the space, allowing a darker bedroom hue. It’s a look that’s warm, welcoming and reflective of Sheila’s creativity.
