Top 10 must-see rooms designers love most

1 Restful romance

This bedroom from the November 2012 issue has a personal resonance for Stephanie Vogler – it’s her own. “There’s a lot going on here, but it feels restful because of subtle pattern mixing and a soft, muted palette,” she says. “Though the room is neutral for most of the year, I added blush pink pillowcases and florals for the photo shoot, which made the space even more romantic and evocative of a good night’s sleep.”   Star power “The fabric on the tufted headboard is washable (essential when you have young children) and super comfortable for reading or watching movies in bed.”

2 Refined industrial

This ultra-hip kitchen, which appeared in the February 2014 issue, was the centrepiece of Ingrid Oomen’s redesign of the first floor of this historic home. “The kitchen has a fabulous tall ceiling and opens to the dining room on one side and the family room on the other,” she says. “We added two new windows to the side of the house to ensure the space gets light all day long.”   Star power “The open shelves are a nice textural focal point, and I love the usability of them. They add a real restaurant feel when styled with plates for convenient access.”

3 Country charm

When Carol Reed renovated the kitchen of this tudor-style home, featured in the February 2013 issue, she started by revamping the floor plan. “The newly opened-up room doubled the amount of daylight and storage, as well as the number of guests the family can entertain,” she explains. “Customized details elevate off-the-shelf cabinetry, while the black and white palette grounds the kitchen in classic character that blends with the century home.”   Star power “The antique monk’s table is a standout feature. Its worn patina reflects a history of gathering and sharing, which is exactly what this kitchen was designed for.”

4 Cabin chic

Simple is sublime, according to Samantha Sacks, who chose the bathroom of her family cottage, first featured in the August 2011 issue. “There’s nothing to this room: For me, that’s where its charm lies,” she explains. “The simplicity – even the plumbing is exposed – paired with a few luxury pieces, such as some super-thick towels and an intricately engraved silver tumbler from Egypt, gives the space a feeling of barefoot elegance.”   Star power “The back of the clawfoot tub slopes beautifully, while the cast iron holds heat. Our cottage is quite rustic, so a hot bath feels like a divine indulgence.”

5 Nautical preppy

This handsome bedroom, featured in the October 2012 issue by Feasby & Bleeks Design, has grown with the little boy it was designed for – and that was precisely the goal. “We love trends as much as anyone, but we choose to inject them into our designs in ways that can be easily updated,” says Erin Feasby. “For this room, classic nautical was our jumping-off point, and that really helped with selections and decisions. It made our job very easy.” Adds Cindy Bleeks, “Years later, this space feels as fresh as the day it was completed.”   Star power “The wallpaper is graphic yet timeless. It adds so much life to this wall, and you never tire of it – plus, it’s great for all ages.”

6 Fresh farmhouse

Michael Penney, owner of the Whitby, Ont., housewares store Penney & Co., decorated this century home in Ontario’s Prince Edward County featured in the June 2012 issue. “I’d say this living room works well because it has a balance of classic and quirky, neutral and punchy,” he explains. “The shell of the space is a soft putty colour, which sets up the foundation for the bold blue velvet sofa and zippy striped chairs. Finally, shelves allow for lots of books and personal treasures.”   Star power “The solidly built vintage sofa is full of personality thanks to its sumptuous peacock blue colour.”

7 Relaxed elegance

This old-meets-new living room from the June 2011 issue brings together custom-made and vintage pieces. “Although it’s a fairly traditional space, it doesn’t feel too formal,” says designer, Christine Hanlon. “I still love the graphic grey linen fabric on the sofa and the way the mix of finishes, from natural wood to gold leaf, add warmth and texture.”   Star power “I have a soft spot for the bamboo coffee table I bought from my friend’s shop.”  

8 Modern organic

Kelly Deck brought her signature West coast style to this expansive bedroom in a White Rock, B.C., home, featured in the first Designer Secrets Special issue back in 2011. “I still appreciate this room for its scale and timeless coastal colour scheme,” she says. “The headboard wall is over 18 feet wide, but the custom millwork and oversized nightstands fill the volume of the space to make what could otherwise be vacuous seem warm and enveloping.”   Star power “I’m quite fond of the gold pig with wings that sits on the nightstand – it’s a cheeky accent in a sophisticated space.”

9 Girly glam

Form and function plus a touch of luxe is Tara Fingold’s recipe for success in this glam master suite from the September 2014 issue. The dressing room area boasts a built-in makeup desk and bank of drawers, which serves as both a dresser and a window seat. “We included a ton of hidden storage to keep the room neat and tidy,” says Tara. “All the surfaces look precious but are quite practical and easy to clean.”   Star power “The bird chandelier is so whimsical and evokes a peaceful, happy feeling when you walk into the room.”

10 Modern pop

Layers and colour are what make this white-walled living room, featured in the February 2015 issue by Shirley Meisels, stand out from the crowd. “The comfy sofa with loose cushions is inviting and a good neutral against the pops of colour in the rug, sidechairs and artwork, which acts as the focal point in the room,” says Shirley. “I like how the space is masculine with surprising feminine touches that negate the ‘man cave’ vibe.” Star power “The artwork is a finishing touch that adds personality and really makes the room come to life.”