Naturally serene

"Ever since I was a child, I've loved the tone-on-tone colours and textures found in nature," says decorator Herma Vegter-Petrie, who runs Hermas Interiors & Clothing in Oakville, Ont. That casual, unforced sensibility infuses the Burlington, Ont., home she and her husband, Bob Petrie, share. White and pale neutrals mix with stone, wood, leather and linen; crisp contemporary pieces live comfortably next to European-style reproductions; and there's barely a corner that isn't awash in sunlight. For Herma, creating a haven means following your own heart above all: if the pieces you decorate with have a special meaning for you, they'll just naturally go together. 

In the kitchen sitting area, Herma takes a break in an Alice in Wonderland-style loveseat with high sides – her design. It's a cozy spot for guests to chat with the cook. "Everyone who sits in it feels like a kid," she says. The reproduction French Provençal settee imparts a touch of old-world elegance, while a tawny leather ottoman and IKEA club chair keep things relaxed.