What’d you do if you yearn for ocean-side living but find yourself in the middle of Toronto? Follow designer Margie Doyle White’s lead and create a bright and breezy home that is chic, yet laid back and perfect for entertaining. White’s home is this week’s addition to my Inspired Interiors series and the perfect example of embracing the feel of your house and its surroundings while creating the look you desire. She says “I may dream about living by the ocean, but this isn’t the Hamptons. It’s a traditional home in the middle of Toronto, so I had to honour that before I could inject any seaside-chic vibes.”
White undertook an 8 month renovation to transform an outdated 80s box into the stylish home she shares with her daughters and partner. The renovation included French oak herringbone floors, brand new windows (very similar to the ones from MWT Windows), custom milwork and of course fresh, white walls. To create an airy effect she mixed bold patterns with hints of sandy taupes and watery blues.
The house is a beautiful lesson in contrast, a luxurious marble fireplace surround is paired with a seagrass and jute rug in the living room and a modern light fixture is paired with an antique farm-table in the dining room. The overall effect of the contrasting elements is a space that is traditionally elegant while being laid back.
The kitchen is what dreams are made of, a stunning white backslash of mosaic marble tiles adds a touch of glamour to the room which plays beautifully with the brass fixtures. Blue accents, a traditional island and causal seating help to reinforce the laid back elegance of the home. It was a toss-up between the best induction hob there is and a 6 ring gas burner, the burner won in this case because it suits this decor much better. It’s a functional kitchen with some great appliances, so not only does it look good, it assists in cooking well too!
Traditional wainscotting and a gorgeous wallpaper set the tone in White’s daughter’s room. Once again a classic jute rug adds that effortless, causal feel in an otherwise traditional space.
Unlike the rest of the home, White’s master bathroom is a beautiful play of white on white – marble! A bathroom renovation Montreal is one of the hardest projects to plan because it’s usually the smallest room in the house that you need to fit so much in. A shower, a bath, storage, the toilet, radiators, furniture — it’s hard to bring together but she’s definitely done an amazing job here. You see her panache for pattern play in the tile work – the mix of subway and herringbone create a beautiful effect. This, combined with the best electric shower, make it a luxurious space.
