Light floods through modern, grid-patterned, full-length windows onto the strikingly minimalist white interior of Ed Hand’s one-of-a-kind modernist showpiece on Birchwood Drive in Lorne Park.

Designed by custom home designer David Small, of David Small Designs Inc., the house is a shining example of how a modernist footprint can step comfortably into a neighbourhood celebrated for its pioneer history. “The home is the quintessential transitional design – traditional massing with modernist clean-line detailing. The style will appeal to a wide spectrum of people, from cottagers to contemporary enthusiasts,” says David.

Every style maven knows that a good wardrobe requires a few classic pieces to build upon. A house is no different. Here, the classic exterior sets the tone. Builder Dan Hornibrook of Seven Oaks Homes Inc. emphasized the effort made to preserve existing trees in the cottage-like setting. “Trees

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STAG ING BY MELAN I E MAROLA

COPPER CORNER

Striking clean whites and modern glass railings keep the grand foyer looking bright, spacious and minimalist. OPPOSITE, TOP LEFT: Flowers by Stavebank Florist and candles add simple pops of colour throughout the space. TOP RIGHT: Natural stone and large window walls balance the home’s modern look with its wooded environment. BOTTOM: The simplicity of the living room is matched with naturally warm-toned hardwood and a grey marble fireplace surround to bring the outdoors in.

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In the great room, a linear gas glass-ember fireplace by Ontario Hearth Fireplaces Ltd. was cut into a 10-foot-high grey marble surround. The oversized white leather sectional offers a comfortable vantage point onto the award-winning “Fusion Kitchen” by Cameo Kitchens and Fine Cabinetry Inc. Featured in a special issue of the luxury lifestyle Robb Report, the kitchen was customized for Ed. “It’s deceivingly simple in design, but incredibly intricate to install, says Cameo’s Dom Sicilia. Servo-enhanced drawers and flip-up overhead doors, wired directly into the home’s electrical system, deliver a quiet, one-touch open and close. Under-cabinet LED and indirect bead lighting frame drawers and cabinets. Only environmentally friendly water-based paint and lacquer were used on cabinetry. Hand-cut walnut island cabinets are topped with white Caeserstone. The marble breakfast bar design by Ciot is unique. Stone starts at the floor and contours the island and countertop in a waterfall effect. A Franke sink and Miele stainless steel appliances complete the look.

The main floor master with quarter-sawn white oak hardwood and cathedral ceiling with cove lighting, offers a walkout to a private, covered porch for morning coffee. Cameo Kitchens wall-to-wall espresso-stained cabinetry in the en suite’s hallway are accented with oversize Swarovski crystal hardware. The en suite boasts heated porcelain floor tiles. The absence of a threshold makes a seamless transition through frosted double-doors into the steam shower with its marble tiles and bench seat. The freestanding boutique bathtub has a Graff faucet system and the double vanity features white Caesarstone counters and backsplash with Toto sinks.

are a large part of what draws people to the area,” he says. “The biggest challenge was to assimilate the house into the existing landscape so that it looks like it belongs.” Three brothers who make up Prelich’s Partnership laid the exterior’s attractive abstract of Owen Sound limestone, South Bay quartz and Muskoka granite by Mason’s Masonry Ltd.

Inside, the interplay of quarter-sawn white oak hardwood, lacquered light-and-dark cabinetry set against polished Italian marble and porcelain are a classic backdrop for modern art, opulent bling, and accents in sun-kissed orange, sea-foam green and burnished red. “Modernist has a reputation for being cold so we deliberately sought warmth through details,” says Dan. “We avoided the trend to make each ceiling as high as possible. Varying heights vary from nine feet on the lower level to 18 feet at points on the main level. Attention was paid to proportions in terms of height versus architecture, with lots of painted wood detail for warmth.”

Pot and cove lighting were used extensively to coalesce cool style and

evening ambience. Interior doors are solid, flat-panel, horizontal-grain oak with an espresso stain and brushed-nickel hardware. Interior stairs are by Kennedy Stairs Inc., and materials for the glass panel railings were supplied by Central Glass & Mirror Ltd. Staircases are lit by LEDs. Outdoor railings mirror the interior style, creating a seamless flow.

“The standout feature of this home is the corner room. I think of it as a Muskoka gazebo in the Lorne Park forest,” says David. “Every detail – leaded copper roof, floor-to-ceiling windows, prominent placement on the corner of the house – is what draws people in.” Dan agrees, “the roof is actually separate from the rest of the home. Highlighted in a lead-coated copper standing seam, it’s a rich, eye-catching detail,” Dan says. The space is perfect for a piano room, den, office or sitting room. “Nothing has been decided. It’s a ‘free to be’ space right now,” says Ed. With its vaulted ceiling, custom wall panelling and elegant archway leading to the foyer, it’s a room in which to dream big.

TOP LEFT: The closet sits just outside the en suite and has wall-to-wall cabinetry with a space and nook for everything. BOTTOM LEFT: The hardware in the bathroom and the closet is encrusted with Swarovski crystal to reflect light and give some sparkle. BELOW: The master bedroom has a unique beamed cathedral ceiling that keeps the large space from feeling too cavernous.

The kitchen was an award-winning design by Cameo that uses environmentally conscious materials and advanced technology. TOP RIGHT: The large mirror in the formal dining room is built into the millwork to keep the look simple and clean. RIGHT: The servery bridges the kitchen and the dining room, and the wine fridge allows hosts to quickly grab that extra bottle for the table.

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The lower level of the home is technically the basement, although this is the farthest from a basement one can imagine. “The fully exposed wall and floor-to-ceiling glass doors create legitimate living space,” says David. “The abundance of natural light removes any closed-in lower-level feel and allows for views of the outdoor landscape.” The living on this floor is every bit as bright and airy as upstairs, ideal for entertaining. A double french-door walk-up leads out to a hardscape patio by DK Enterprises. The bar area hosts a Franke sink, Samsung dishwasher and avant-garde stainless wine fridge. The Caesarstone countertop and mosaic tile backsplash are framed by LED bead lighting. A large, roughed-in wine cellar with floor and cooling lines built to professional standards deserves a vintner’s collection.

“When you do minimalist, everything has to be perfect or your eyes will pick up the imperfections,” says Dan. This perfect house is now for sale through local realtor James Hodgins of James Hodgins Realty Group Inc. Eloquent last words belong to him. He characterizes it as a place where “elegance and opulence merge to create a beautifully appointed modernist masterpiece.” OH

TOP LEFT: The steam bath in the downstairs bathroom is a relaxing place to unwind. TOP RIGHT: Glass railings with modern hardware set the tone for the clean, minimalist space. ABOVE: An expansive vein-cut marble bar sits right outside the home theatre RIGHT: The home utilizes large windows to bring a light airy feel to the indoors.

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