A reimagined Ontario family farmhouse combines modern elegance with traditional touches rooted in history.

The breezy, relaxed design of this modern-day farmhouse nestled in the rolling hills of Ontario’s Mono Township perfectly reflects the style of the family who lives here. Purchased in the 1970s by the current owner’s father, the nearly 5,000-square-foot home recently welcomed a fourth generation with the arrival of two grandchildren mere weeks apart.

While the owners knew the house needed a major overhaul—among other things, the ’70s-era timber frame construction had almost no insulation—it was important to them that the charm and elegance of the original family home be preserved, explains designer Patti Wilson. “So every decision we made was based on an understanding of how the family lives and their sense of history,” says the owner and principal designer of Patti Wilson Design.

The sparkling result is a home that celebrates all the comfort and convenience of 21st-century technology—while at the same time feeling as if it has always been here.

In the foyer, Patti relocated the front door to the side, resolving long-standing problems with the main-floor layout. In its place, a charming distressed dresser and elegant arched mirror offer an unpretentious welcome.

SOFAS, Gresham House. Abaso COFFEE TABLE, Four Hands. CANDLESTICKS, STOOL, Jack + Marion. Barrier Canvas RUG, Allan Rug Co.

The living room is where the whole gang kicks back after a day of walking in the woods or strolling by the pond, to talk, drink hot chocolate or watch movies. Patti repurposed a wood beam, reclaimed during the construction, as the fireplace mantel.

Belfair two-tier CHANDELIER, Visual Comfort. Custom ash DINING TABLE, Rustic House Interiors. Kena DINING CHAIRS, Four Hands.

The oversized custom dining table is a testament to the carpenter’s skills, with its carefully joined corners and simple, elegant silhouette. Clean-lined and comfortable, leather-back dining chairs add a touch of sophistication.

CABINETRY PAINT, Mouse’s Back 40, Farrow & Ball. Custom oak ISLAND, CRS Woodwork. Quartz COUNTERTOPS, HanStone. COUNTER STOOLS, Four Hands. PENDANTS, Living Lighting. SIDE SCONCES, Visual Comfort. SINK, Blanco. Georgian Era Bridge FAUCET, House of Rohl. PAINTING (beside window), CUTTING BOARDS, Jack + Marion.

The kitchen’s huge, chunky island acts as the hub of the entire main floor, offering views not only out the windows but also back toward the living and dining areas (as well as the adjacent sunroom). The warmth of natural materials—white oak tongue-and-groove on the ceiling and walls, hand-cut facing stone on the end walls, soapstone-style quartz countertops, and a lime-washed range hood trimmed in another reclaimed beam from the original house—is zinged up with the addition of hammered brass pendants. 

WALL PAINT, Shaded White 201, Farrow & Ball. Sausalito BED and BEDSIDE TABLES, Pottery Barn. Clivedon WALL SCONCES, Living Lighting. Morgan Navy/Sand RUG, Loloi Rugs. ARTWORK, BED LINENS, Ronan reclaimed wood DRESSER, Jack + Marion.

Tongue-and-groove panelling, which Patti deployed in various ways in the bedrooms, makes for a cozy, inviting nest after a long day of hiking or swimming. In the guest room, she treated it like wainscotting, with a chair rail and upper walls all painted in the same soft off-white shade. Light-toned wood furnishings with a subtle whitewashed finish, along with a distressed bureau similar to the front hall cupboard, strike the perfect balance between rustic and elegant.

Metal accents and subtle carving notes on the bed and matching side table added some formality to the primary suite, as did framing the tongue-and-groove boards within panel mouldings, all without sacrificing the room’s laid-back charm. 

Ceiling and trim PAINT, Shaded White 201, Farrow & Ball. Tartan WALLPAPER, Crown Wallpaper. Catalina Beadboard DRESSER and BEDS, Pottery Barn Kids. BED LINENS, Teddy TABLE LAMP, Jack + Marion. Surfside OVERHEAD LIGHTING, Rainsford Company.

The top floor, with its four symmetrically placed dormers, had exactly the right dimensions to tuck in four identical twin beds, each with its own window. With all its nooks and crannies, it’s the perfect hideaway for a growing crop of grandkids.

WALL PAINT, Mouse’s Back 40, Farrow & Ball. Fez UPPER SHOWER TILE in White Matte/Glossy Mix, Mettro Source. Livingstone LOWER SHOWER TILE in Arabescato, Motley FLOOR TILE in Reading, Centura. SHOWER FIXTURES, Rubinet. BATH LINENS, MIRROR, Jack + Marion.

The shower in the downstairs spa/bathroom is positively cavernous: there’s room for a bench at either side, as well as matching steam and shower heads. A trio of tiles keeps the look bright and breezy. The custom distressed wood vanity lends a tailored feeling, while tan walls warm things up.

Arden WALLPAPER, North and Finch. WALL PAINT, Appalachian Brown 2115-10, Benjamin Moore. MIRROR, Jack + Marion. Heirloom WALL SCONCES in Old Bronze, Living Lighting. Custom oak VANITY, CRS Woodwork. Amiata freestanding BATHTUB, House of Rohl. FIXTURES, Rubinet.

The main-floor guest bath doubles as a powder room, so Patti opted to turn it into a tiny Victorian jewel. A custom furniture-style vanity and delicate floral wallpaper, paired with deep-stained tongue-and-groove wainscotting, add romance. The contemporary tub updates the mood. 

PAINT, Shaded White 201 (walls, backsplash), Mouse’s Back 40 (cabinetry), Farrow & Ball. Quartz COUNTERTOP in Storm, HanStone. Hex FAUCET in Matte Black, Rubinet. Silgranit Ikon APRON SINK in Anthracite, Blanco. ARTWORK, Jack + Marion. FLOOR TILE, Centura.

Reconfiguring the main floor allowed Patti to build in a stylish and highly functional laundry/ storage/mudroom that sees a lot of use when the entire family is visiting. The Silgranit apron sink looks good and works hard: it’s deep enough to soak sweaters or wash the mud off hiking boots.

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