Creating a home that was as fresh and breezy as the nearby beach was second nature to Joanna and Peggy. They, along with Miguel, are owners of Toronto’s Au Lit Fine Linens and Liv by Au Lit. Anyone who has set foot inside these shops, with their soft, tousled linens and subdued neutral palettes, knows that imparting casual serenity is what these folks do best.
“There are variations from room to room, but overall the palette is a quintessential beach house one,” says Joanna. With names like Beach Glass and Ocean Air, the paint colours set the tone. “Greyish greens, pale aqua blues and muted blue-greens… all of these come into play and then Mom makes them pop!” Joanna is referring to the unexpected hits of bright pink that appear in many of the rooms. Like cheery announcements, they prevent the house from seeming too demure and juxtapose the soft linens that beckon from beds and tabletops to settle in, settle down and relax.
Welcoming entryway
Large-scale wallpaper in the entryway has a gentle palette that bespeaks the Maine seashore beach style. White-painted antiques set the tone for the easygoing rooms within. A striped runner accentuates the length of the hallway and leads visitors to the fun. A painted antique chair in the hallway has swirls and curls, alluding to the wallpaper patterns behind it.
