This Is Us
Story Logan McQueen
Photography Devon Pastorius
Often when the kids move out, potential moves in. To make the most of a new phase in their life, the homeowners in this story decided to build a new home that would last a lifetime – and express the one before it.
They craved a stylish space that was timeless and comfortable. When they found a plot in a wooded area just outside of Windsor, they knew they had found a peaceful and inspiring place for their next chapter.
Black accents are repeated throughout the house. In the kitchen, modern lighting from Aha! Interiors complements the cabinets.
A large island topped with a Cambria quartz counter is the star of the show in this open-concept kitchen. Andalieb makes clever use of space between the cabinets and wall by adding open shelving.
“I call this the grown-up home,” the homeowner tells us. “Kids kind of destroy a house. This is for us to enjoy as adults, and to have a bit more refinement. Basically, it’s a palette for art and things we’ve collected over the years.”
Avid art enthusiasts, they envisioned a clean yet warm backdrop to complement their collection. They explained, “it needed to be modern, but not cold or stark. More like a fresh version of Mid-century, with a lot of natural elements.”
Having completed home projects in the past, the homeowners knew they needed the right expertise to bring their project to life. They hired Tony Rauti Luxury Homes to build their home. And they decided to call in a designer to bring it all together. “I felt we could make many decisions right, but a few wrong might ruin the whole thing,” they say. Their search for a designer led them to Andalieb Abu-Zahra of Aha! Interiors Inc.
Andalieb Abu-Zahra from Aha! Interiors.
The homeowners contacted Andalieb in 2019, about a year after they initially bought the property. “I saw some of her work online and contacted her. Andalieb was able to do many different styles and she had a great vision in terms of understanding where I wanted to go. I really liked the way that first meeting went – after that it was easy to make a decision.”
Andalieb describes the role of a designer as bringing the clients’ ideas to life. “The biggest part of my job is to listen to people, understand what they want – however they’re able to communicate it to me – and make it real in a functional way,” she says. Along with many ideas, the homeowners brought 30 years of collected art, and a desired lifestyle.
Two large sofas and chairs provide plenty of seating in the living room. The furniture was sourced from Aha! Interiors.
Everyday ease was a driving force in the home’s design. They wanted the house to work for them, and not the other way around. So Andalieb proactively worked with the homeowners to ensure tedious cleaning and repairs didn’t dominate their home life. The kitchen cabinets (Windmill Cabinet Shop Ltd.) feature a flat door style that easily wipes clean. Large format floor tiles (Aha! Interiors) with minimal grout lines are also simple to maintain.
The bathroom showcases a bold shower tile that repeats colours seen throughout the house.
Each design decision was a product of thoughtful collaboration. “Andalieb always had a basket with our samples in it,” say the homeowners.“It was very easy to see the storyboard as it was evolving. We brought the look that we wanted and she brought the hardware and expertise to make that happen.”
The fireplace from Marquis Fireplaces is a stunning focal point in the living room.
The owners kept many elements from their previous home. Andalieb measured a traditional rug and incorporated it into the den. Its deep, rich colours set the stage for a cosy place to curl up with a book or enjoy the sounds of the grand piano. By pairing the rug with neutral walls and custom built-in shelving (Windmill Cabinet Shop Ltd.), Andalieb has breathed new life into the beloved piece.
The designer enlisted the talents of many local businesses during the creation of this home. In addition to supplying the cabinetry, Windmill Cabinet Shop Ltd. also made the rolling library ladder in the den. The piece glides across the custom built-ins with ease, fulfilling every book lover’s dream.
A custom rolling ladder provides easy access to the homeowners’ library. Both the ladder and built-ins were made by Windmill Cabinet Shop Ltd. Outfitted in rich colours, the den is a cosy place to curl up with a book.
Other local collaborators include Nancy Johns Gallery & Framing and International Art Designs, which provided framing and new art for the home. The homeowners have curated a unique art collection over the years. A mix of pieces by local and international artists is on full display throughout the home. Each one tells the story of a time in their lives.
Complete with a large sectional sofa, billiards table and kitchenette, the basement is perfect for entertaining.
Andelieb expresses how each decision was informed by a mixture of trust and taste. “They’re confident and have a good eye for art,” she says. “They took a few leaps of faith that others might not have the confidence to do, and we both enjoyed that.” Each room stands alone as a beautiful space, yet the home is cohesive as a story of the homeowners’ own lives.
This house is a winning example of how personal and authentic a space can be. “I would have to say this is my favourite home,” the homeowner declares. “I don’t look at anything that I’d want to do differently. It is totally a reflection of us.” OH
Andalieb incorporated a rug from the homeowners’ previous home into the design of the primary bedroom.
The luxurious primary en suite is a peaceful place to begin each day.