House Tours
A Breathtaking New-Build Inspired By French Farmhouse Charm
Photography by Larry Arnal
House Tours
A Breathtaking New-Build Inspired By French Farmhouse Charm
Designer Lisa Renzetti infuses a custom home in Aurora, Ont., with European flair and modern French touches.
Reimagining spaces is something that Toronto-based designer Lisa Renzetti excels at, but this assignment was a little more than that. “The project was unique because the clients had purchased a teardown and wanted me to draw up plans for a new-build home entirely from scratch,” she says. The homeowners’ love of modern farmhouse and French-country styles inspired Lisa to design a 3,500-square-foot residence that was airy with archways and vaulted ceilings, but also warm, cozy and soulful. Lisa says, “I wanted to create little ‘moments’ throughout the house, similar to quiet spots you’d find in old European homes.”
Colour was key – French blue enlivens while black makes a bold statement – and furnishings like vintage-look lighting and real antiques channel Parisian charm. “I love the home’s vibrant old-meets-new contrast, and the owners do, too,” says Lisa, the founder of Big Style Design. “This is a place where they can welcome family and friends or, in true European style, just settle in with a cup of coffee or glass of wine and be present in their surroundings.”
Grand entrance
DESIGN, Lisa Renzetti, Big Style Design. BUILDER, Ram Contracting. FLOORING (throughout), Sunca Flooring. RAILING, Ideal Railings. Diamond RUG, Ruggable. CEILING LIGHT, Lando Lighting. FEATURE WALL PAINT, Wrought Iron 2124-10, Benjamin Moore.
The entryway boasts a feature wall that extends to the lower and upper levels. “The panelling and black paint create an interesting focal point that’s a modern contrast to the rest of the home’s softness,” says designer Lisa Renzetti.
History in the making
PAINT, Barely There CSP-725 (wall), Museum Piece CSP-40 (cabinets), Benjamin Moore. CABINETRY, Luxeme Kitchens. FIREPLACE, Mason’s Masonry. SCONCES, Lando Lighting. SOFA, Direct Interiors. THROW, VdeV.
“In the living room, I added a sense of history but with a modern twist,” says Lisa, who chose a stone veneer for the fireplace. “We used an over-grouting technique to finish it, rather than paint, so it looks like old barn stones.” Farmhouse-inspired sconces illuminate wood-panelled walls. “The walls are finished in the same white oak as the flooring, but it’s been applied in a contemporary chevron pattern,” she says. The owners’ antique armchair and display of crystal candlesticks give the casual space a just-right formal tone.
Serene scene
WINDOWS, Sunrise Windows. PAINT, Barely There CSP-725 (wall), Museum Piece CSP-40 (cabinet), Oxford White CC-30 (ceiling), Benjamin Moore. CHINA CABINET, Luxeme Kitchens. BANQUETTE, Maple Drapery. TABLE, SKIRTED CHAIRS, Urban Barn. END CHAIRS, HomeSense. CHANDELIER, SCONCES, Lando Lighting.
The dining area dazzles any time of day. “I designed it to be light and bright with views through to the ravine backyard,” says Lisa. She complemented the owners’ rustic-look table and patterned chairs with simple seating. “The bench was custom-made to be extra long, as the table can be expanded when the couple entertains. It’s fully upholstered, so it feels modern and soft.” Built-in china cabinets integrate a French farmhouse feel, and simple lighting doesn’t steal the show from that view. The sconces’ shades continue the French blue oomph.
Mix & mingle
Copper RANGE HOOD, Luxeme Kitchens. BRICK, Mason’s Masonry. BACKSPLASH, COUNTERTOPS, Interstone. PAINT, Oxford White CC-30 (upper cabinets), Seersucker Suit CSP-580 (lower cabinets), Benjamin Moore. PENDANT LIGHTS, Lando Lighting. Copper HARDWARE, Richelieu. STOOLS, Direct Interiors.
The play of copper, brick and blue tones achieves a pitch-perfect mix of French country and modern verve. “The copper and brick look and feel like how a kitchen in the 1800s might have with copper pots hanging over a brick fireplace,” says Lisa. She gave the bricks a curved arch and foiled its vintage feel with the modern lines of the copper hood. Mixed cabinetry is a thoughtful detail. “I designed the corner floating shelves to break things up a bit and add display because corners are often hard to get to and not very useful,” she says. Two separate islands – one for prepping and cooking, and one for guests to gather at – make time in the kitchen that much easier. A pantry tucked in the corner houses larger plug-in appliances, cookbooks and vintage dishes, while French blue lampshades once more tap into the blue palette.
“The kitchen cooks up an 1800s French-country vibe with a dash of modern flair."
Modern multitasker
CABINETRY, Luxeme Kitchens. CABINETRY PAINT, Balboa Mist OC-27, Benjamin Moore. ARMCHAIR, Article. SIDE TABLE, Urban Barn.
The home office is a place to meet deadlines, as well as to wind down. “I wanted the owners to be able to look outside while on the computer, so we built the desk under the window,” says Lisa. “There are grommets that lead to electrical outlets to hide any wires.” Cabinets with chic grilled fronts flank the workstation and Lisa designed them to meet the 10-foot ceiling. “I didn’t want to lower the space visually,” she says.
A soft armchair and stool form a welcoming spot for casual work or curling up with a book. The upper landing continues the entryway’s focal wall and features a cozy built-in reading nook.
French accent
DRAPERY, Maple Drapery. BEDDING, HomeSense. LIGHTING, Lando Lighting. CABINETRY, Luxeme Kitchens.
The primary bedroom has a dreamy, French-country charm that’s soft and elegant. Lisa layered in rift-cut white oak ceiling beams for a romantic rusticity that’s played up by the wooden beads on the chandelier. Most of the pieces are from the owners’ previous house and some are antique.
“I opted for shades of cream and blue grey to create a relaxing room,” says Lisa. Simple linen drapes with pinch pleats add subtle texture and soften the black window frames. Built-in closets are warmed up by the owners’ Turkish rugs.
Ensuite elegance
CABINETRY, Luxeme Kitchens. CABINETRY PAINT, Classic Grey OC-23, Benjamin Moore. COUNTERTOP, Interstone. SHOWER FLOOR TILES, Anatolia. PLUMBING FIXTURES, FLOOR TILES, ACCENT WALL TILES, BLACK TILES, Canaroma. TUB, Kichler. CHANDELIER, Lando Lighting. SCONCES, Savoy House.
Lisa was very much inspired by the homeowners when she designed the jaw-dropping primary bathroom. “I wanted them both to feel comfortable,” she says. “She’s very soft and feminine and he’s a guy’s guy. I designed built-ins with oval patterned glass fronts and crystal knobs for her makeup area and contrasted the opposite side of the room with masculine black river-rock shower floor tiles and slate-look porcelain tiles. I added beefier hardware at the sink vanity.”
“The principal bath is the perfect his and hers: handsome, feminine and super sexy."
Pattern perfect
CABINETRY, Luxeme Kitchens. PAINT, Chantilly Lace OC-65 (laundry room cabinets), Barely There CSP-725 (mirrored cabinets), Benjamin Moore. KNOBS, Anthropologie. BACKSPLASH, FLOOR TILES, Saltillo Imports. CAFÉ CURTAINS, Maple Drapery.
“The laundry room is so sweet and charming, I just love it,” says Lisa. “It’s playful, which is great, since most people don’t like to do laundry.” She used tile to great effect, mixing encaustic floor tiles applied in a diamond checker pattern with two-by-six-inch backsplash tiles presented in a herringbone placement. “Both have shades of blue that play off each other, and the wall tiles’ diagonal placement complements the floor’s diamond layout,” says Lisa. Café curtains and brass pulls lend a bit of softness.
Ready-made style
WALL TILES, Anatolia. FLOOR TILES, Canaroma. SCONCE, Lando Lighting. WALL PAINT, Barely There CSP-725, Benjamin Moore.
The main bathroom features a vanity that looks bespoke but was purchased with the integrated sink and counter included. It’s dressed up by vintage-looking tiles that carry through on the blue theme and loosen up the space with a bit of colour and texture. The round mirror breaks up all the straight lines, and the sconces are a neat mix of Art Deco and farmhouse looks.
Raise the bar
PAINT, Wrought Iron 2124-10 (accent wall), Burnt Ember CSP-120 (bar), Benjamin Moore. BAR BACKSPLASH, Canaroma.
The lower level was designed for family entertainment. “The owners have three grown sons and wanted a space for them to hang out when they come to visit,” says Lisa. It’s the spot to watch the game, and the custom bar holds drinks and snacks so trips to the kitchen aren’t necessary. The living room’s white oak chevron accents are repeated here for clever continuity.
clean entry
CABINETRY, Luxeme Kitchens. CABINETRY PAINT, Deep Secret CSP-625, Benjamin Moore.
“This entry is from the garage to the house, and I wanted it to be beautiful,” says Lisa. Custom cabinetry features arched panelling that references the main feature wall, which extends to this lower level. The cupboards provide ample storage space, and the built-in bench makes it easy to slip shoes on and off. Grey pebble-patterned floor tiles hide dirt and are easy to clean.
Rustic simplicity
PAINT, Burnt Ember CSP-120 (shiplap), Crisp Linen CSP-305 (cabinets), Barely There CSP-725 (wall), Benjamin Moore. FIREPLACE TILES, Saltillo Imports.
Lisa used shiplap throughout the home to add texture and interest and repeated it on the lower-level fireplace for warmth and drama. A rustic log acts as a mantel and the entire wall is given a lift of vibrance and charm thanks to the unexpected use of tiles. “They add so much colour and really elevate this space without taking away from the relaxing fire,” says Lisa. The sectional is from the owners’ previous house and is perfect here for cozying up to watch a movie.
Choosing The Right Lighting
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