Photography, Patrick Biller

DESIGN, Lindsay Mens, TOM Interior Design Studio. CLUB CHAIRS in Vale Fog, SOFA 1967-44 in Everest Forest, Lee Industries. Betheny MIRROR (over mantel), Arteriors. Vintage LAMP and SKIS, Bettencourt Manor. MIRROR (by door), The Door Store. Custom CHANDELIER, The Artisan’s Gallery. Northwest Series WALL ART, Patrick Biller. David ART LIGHTs, Circa Lighting. candlesticks (on mantel), Decorum.

From the outside, this newly built home with its clean lines looks nothing like an alpine chalet. But step inside and the mountain views from the soaring windows leave little doubt that, indeed, we’re in Ontario ski country. When designer Lindsay Mens met the family of four who’d spend winter holidays here, she knew a lodge-inspired interior was a must. “The challenge was how to bring layers of coziness into such a contemporary space,” says Lindsay. “I wanted them to tuck in at night feeling homey, but I didn’t want the look to be rustic. Plus, they’re always having friends with kids over, so things had to be function-first and durable.” Here’s how Lindsay endowed the cold-weather getaway with a chalet-chic interior that radiates après-ski warmth and furnishings worthy of the fun-filled chaos of post-downhill downtime.

 

Photography, Patrick Biller

A big round coffee table with a woven finish multiplies the room’s textures, which include soft bouclé on the armchairs and the warm fibres of a wool rug. The home’s architecture may be contemporary, but the wrought-iron railings and reclaimed-beam construction make it look like a rustic mountain retreat.

Seagrass COFFEE TABLE, RH. Camber LOUNGE CHAIRS, Aspen BENCH, Cocoon Furnishings. Custom plaid PILLOW, Kravet. Peter Dunham print PILLOW (on sofa), Linen + Cloth. Conrad CONSOLE, Noir Furniture. CANDLESTICKS (on coffee table), vintage green glass VASE, vintage PLANTER (with moss), Bettencourt Manor. Loki ceramic PLATTER, Elte. Myra RUG, Loloi. Vintage ANTLERS, Vintage Fine Objects.

 

Photography, Patrick Biller

Guests (and there are plenty of them!) arrive via the home’s old-meets-new entryway. “Sure, the sconces, mirror and flooring are brand new, but adding this antique credenza and armchair warms the space and makes it more welcoming,” says Lindsay.

CONSOLE, VASES, CHAIR, Bettencourt Manor. Vintage RUNNER, Smash Salvage. Circa Lighting’s Fontaine SCONCES, Elte. MIRROR, Absolutely.

“The wildlife wallpaper in the main-floor powder room is our way of having a little fun.”

 

Photography, Patrick Biller

Lindsay opted for a woodsy wildlife-patterned wallpaper for the main-floor bathroom. “It was a pricey endeavour, but so worth it because it gives that room so much personality,” she says. Equally compelling is the black and white penny-round tile floor. The custom vanity was fashioned from a reclaimed beam.

VANITY, Harbourview Custom Homes. Cyclone FAUCET, Riobel. FLOOR TILE, Creekside Tile. WALLPAPER, Memo Showroom. Vintage mirror FRAME, Smash Salvage.

“After skiing with friends all day, story swapping unfolds over dinner at the long dining table.”

 

Photography, Patrick Biller

“There’s no buffet, no rug and no chandelier, so the chairs had to do a lot of work when it came to mood and texture,” says Lindsay. Armchairs upholstered in wool plaid were her pick. They’re pulled up to a long and narrow Mennonite-crafted table.

DINING TABLE, Absolutely. DINING CHAIRS, Lee Industries. Circa Lighting’s Goodman PENDANTS, Elte. VASES (on dining table),
Bettencourt Manor.

 

Photography, Patrick Biller

With nine-foot ceilings, why not max out on vertical storage? The mellow-toned oak and black millwork is paired with black metal pendants and natural woven stools. The large island with a built-in cutting board is as useful for prep as it is for entertaining.

CABINETRY PAINT, Black Panther 2125-10, Benjamin Moore. Quartz COUNTERTOP, Marmi Maximum COUNTERTOP (island), KSTONE. Palacek’s Nora COUNTER STOOLS, Cocoon Furnishings.

 

Photography, Patrick Biller

Lindsay (left) and TOM project manager Haley Dermenjian pause for a pic in front of the pantry wall and open shelves.

 

Photography, Patrick Biller

The custom metal range hood, crackled tile backsplash and vintage runner give the new kitchen its winter-vacay vibe.

RANGE HOOD, Harbourview Custom Homes. Emerson BACKSPLASH TILE, Creekside Tile Company. Palacek’s Bronson SCONCES, Cocoon Furnishings.

 

Photography, Patrick Biller

An eight-foot-wide photo floats above a tumble-ready grey-weave sectional in the media room. “That oversized woven pendant fills the ceiling with amber light,” says Lindsay. The table is fashioned from a reclaimed beam. The red plaid pillows pick up tones from the vase of red dogwood branches that were pruned from a shrub on the property.

SECTIONAL, Lee Industries. Ice hut WALL ART, Richard Johnson. Vintage COFFEE TABLE, Scott Landon Antiques. Kate Thornley x Tommy Smythe RUG, Kate Thornley Hall. Lyla CHAIR, Cocoon Furnishings. Farris TABLE LAMP, Pottery Barn. Custom PILLOWs in Ralph Lauren Market Street Plaid, Kravet. Black-striped PILLOW COVERS, Linen + Cloth. Custom-made block-print PILLOW, Memo Showroom.

“The mudroom is where friends enter après-ski, so stone floors and a rug that wears like iron are a must.”

 

Photography, Patrick Biller

“Here’s an excellent way to bring some casual colour to any mudroom,” says Lindsay. “A green tone like this really spruces up the oak.” Hooks inside cubbies stow jackets for both family and friends. Baskets make perfect catchalls for mittens, scarves and hats.

PAINT, Forest Floor 1498, Benjamin Moore. Vintage RUG, Smash Salvage. PILLOWS, Memo Showroom. BASKETS, Walmart.

“Big art and big draperies invite ease and relaxation.”

 

Photography, Patrick Biller

“The canopy bed is right at home beneath high ceilings, and its finish reinforces the theme of wrought iron throughout the house,” says Lindsay. She paired the new bed with vintage items, such as the bench at its foot and the clients’ vintage antler collection. “We went for full broadloom on the floors, since this is a winter home.”

CANOPY BED, RH. BENCH, Smash Salvage.

 

Photography, Patrick Biller

 

Photography, Patrick Biller

“I wanted the chalet accents to be subtle, so I used a modern buffalo plaid for the drapes,” says Lindsay. The almost-black dresser is softened by gentle neutral linens on the bed and the wood side tables. Both the wall art and the mirror are large in scale.

Blatchford DRESSER, Pottery Barn. Vintage MIRROR FRAME, Scott Landon Antiques.

 

Photography, Patrick Biller

Contemporary, clean and simple. That’s how Lindsay describes the primary ensuite, with its soaker tub and storage-friendly vanity. Thanks to the home’s tall windows, winter’s clear light dances across the shiny large-scale tile floor.