House Tours
In This Countryside Home, Each Room Is A Masterpiece
Photography by Valerie Wilcox
House Tours
In This Countryside Home, Each Room Is A Masterpiece
A dated 1980s bungalow in the heart of Ontario horse country gets a breezy, farm-fresh update.
When the owners of this 4,900-square-foot Schomberg, Ont., bungalow first approached husband-and-wife design duo Patrick and Shannon Cian of CIAN Design, the problems with their circa-1980 house had become pressing.
As with many homes from that era, the builders had confused wide open spaces with efficiency: some areas were cavernous, while others were cramped and uncomfortable, and storage was an ongoing challenge with three teens and two dogs. Plus, there was little of the family’s active, friendly personality.
Surprisingly, the solution wasn’t to add space, but to rethink the existing space in smarter ways. The result? “Every square inch was considered, and it completely meets their needs,” says Shannon. “And it’s warm and welcoming without being pretentious—just like them."
WALL PAINT, White Down CC-50, Benjamin Moore. SCONCES, Hudson Valley Lighting Group. ARTWORK, Laurel Dawn Corner Studio. CONSOLE TABLE, CB2. VASE, RUG, Etsy. Antique HANDLED BOWL, Hauer Market. FLOOR TILE, Ciot. LEATHER BENCH, MIRROR, West Elm. CHANDELIER, Mitzi. CEILING LIGHT (by door), Rejuvenation. DOOR HANDLES, ADH Fine Hardware. WREATH, Crate & Barrel.
Originally dark and a bit unwelcoming, the front hall needed a facelift to give it more presence. Elegant Botticino floor tiles and dressed-up woodwork (including new panel mouldings and a ceiling medallion for the chandelier) elevate the space perfectly.
PAINTING (on hallway shelf), Blanc Marine. SCONCE (over hallway shelves), Visual Comfort. Flush-mount CEILING LIGHTS (in hallway), Hudson Valley Lighting Group. Custom DINING TABLE, Cian Design; fabrication, Smithias Contracting. DINING CHAIRS, SIDEBOARD, Four Hands. TABLE RUNNER, Halliday House & Co. DINNERWARE, HomeSense. Woven PENDANT LIGHT, Palecek.
Subtle visual cues help to organize the open-concept living/dining/ kitchen space into “rooms” without sacrificing its bright, spacious feeling. A small display area at the end of the foyer acts as a prelude to the larger space beyond, while over by the dining table, a well-proportioned sideboard separates the dining room from the living room and provides extra storage. The simple jute pendant light over the table balances a modern bell shape with a rustic woven texture.
PAINT, Iron Mountain 2134-30 (shelves), White Down CC-50 (walls), Benjamin Moore. PICTURE LIGHT, Hudson Valley Lighting Group. HORSE PAINTING, Leftbank Art. Custom SOFA, Cian Design; fabrication, Louis Interiors. SOFA FABRIC, Maxwell Fabrics. THROW PILLOWS, Tonic Living. COFFEE TABLE, RH. RUG, Blanc Marine. LEATHER CHAIRS, VdeV. SIDE TABLE (between chairs), Global Views.
“This space had to accommodate the family comfortably, but also be a welcoming place for hosting guests,” says designer Shannon Cian. The antique rug inspired the living room’s earthy colour scheme, while the natural tones of the stone fireplace and oversized wood coffee table add casual warmth to the setting.
PAINT, Old White No. 4 (upper cabinets), Farrow & Ball; French Beret 1610 (lower cabinets), Benjamin Moore. COUNTERTOPS, BACKSPLASH, Olympia Tile. Antique PANTRY DOORS AND HANDLES, The Door Store. Custom HARDWARE, Cian Design; fabrication, Handle This. LIGHT FIXTURES, Light House Co.
Similar to the shade used on the living room shelves, a dark navy was chosen for the lower kitchen cabinets for a grounding effect. It’s a perfect complement to the earthy materials and colours used elsewhere, including the natural quartzite counters and backsplash, muddy greige-coloured uppers, and antique reclaimed pantry doors. Gold-toned pendant lights and antique hardware—along with custom-designed antique bronze pulls for the upper cabinets—add a crisp contrast.
WALL PAINT, Raccoon Fur 2126-20, Benjamin Moore. DESK, The Shoppe. DESK LAMP, Palecek. PENDANT LIGHT, Elte. OFFICE CHAIR, France & Son. LEATHER CHAIR, EQ3. FLOOR LAMP, Visual Comfort. HARDWARE, Handle This. BACKSPLASH, Olympia Tile. BASKET (under desk), Indaba. RUG, Rug & Weave.
In the home office, family members can catch up on work and still feel connected to the rest of the house—thanks to glass walls on the interior sides. Rich, colour-drenched off-black walls add atmosphere. The antique pine desk is from Ireland and sports a British Royal Navy seal. A comfy leather chair is great for leaning back with feet up, or chatting with a visitor.
WALLPAPER, Maxwell Fabrics. FLOOR TILES, Saltillo Imports. CEILING LIGHTS, Olde Brick Lighting. PANTRY PAINT, Old White No. 4 (upper cabinets), Farrow & Ball; French Beret 1610 (lower cabinets), Benjamin Moore. SINK, House of Rohl. PANTRY JARS, Bodum. FAUCETS/FIXTURES, Cesario & Co. Wallmount DRYING RACKS, Amazon. APPLIANCES, Caplan’s Appliances.
“Slicing” a chunk of space off the original kitchen and ensuite, which featured that classic ’80s space hog known as the corner tub, freed up room for a highly functional, painstakingly planned series of hardworking spaces: pantry, laundry, mudroom and even a spa-like dog wash for Ruby and Belle. The pantry (left) is perfect for storing baking supplies; a woodwork “transom” makes the laundry room (right) window feel bigger and grander than it really is.
DOG WASH TILE, M2 Tile & Stone. FLOOR TILE, Saltillo Imports. RUG, Ruggable. HARDWARE, Top Knobs. PAINT, Accessible Beige 7036 (upper cabinets), Sherwin-Williams; Taos Taupe 2111-40 (lower cabinets, cubby unit), Benjamin Moore. LIGHTING, McGee & Co.
Elegant finishing touches make utility spaces a pleasure to work in. The dog wash (right) features zellige subway tiles and marble herringbone tile floors. Just inside the garage entry door (beside the dog wash), cutouts in the sides of the open cubbies—one for each teen—offer an extra hook for hanging up a backpack. “I’m a mother of teens myself,” laughs Shannon. “I know what they’ll find useful.” The mudroom closet (left) is made of sleek white oak.
Custom NIGHTSTANDS, Cian Design. ACCENT WALL PAINT, Fairview Taupe HC-85, Benjamin Moore. CHANDELIER, Hudson Valley Lighting Group. SCONCES, Visual Comfort. BED, DRESSER, Four Hands. BED LINENS, Indaba. BENCH, Eternity Modern. PAINTING (above bed), TABLE LAMP (on dresser), McGee & Co. BOLSTER, RH. RUG, Blanc Marine.
Originally two smallish bedrooms, the primary suite enjoys a first-rate view, a walk-in closet, and a truly fabulous ensuite. The vaulted ceiling, exposed beams, and buttery-soft leather bed boost the cozy feeling. In the corner is an heirloom family treasure: a Victorian mirrored coat rack, refinished and given pride of place here.
SHOWER MARBLE, COUNTERTOP, BACKSPLASH, Olympia Tile. FLOOR TILES, Stone Tile. FLOOR MOSAIC INLAY TILE, Cesario & Co. CEILING LIGHT, Olde Brick Lighting. SCONCES, Victorian Revival. MEDICINE CABINETS, West Elm. VANITY PAINT, Ashley Gray HC-87, Benjamin Moore. FIXTURES, California Faucets. RUG, Minster Interiors. HUTCH, The Shoppe. BASKETS, Zara Home. TUB, Victoria + Albert. STOOL, EQ3.
The antique hutch, says Shannon, was the jumping-off point for the romantic look of the primary ensuite, from its barnboard-clad ceiling to the antique sconces over the medicine cabinets. A modern tub and Smart Film window—which switches electronically from clear to opaque, so the owners can enjoy the view and have privacy—keep things from being too rustic.
WALL PAINT, Bashful 1171, Benjamin Moore. LIGHT FIXTURE, Crate & Barrel. PAINTINGS, Etsy. BED, Four Hands. BEDSIDE LAMPS, HomeSense. BED LINENS, Indaba. THROW, Halliday House & Co. DRAPERY FABRIC, Memo. DRAPERY FABRICATION, Sunshades Aurora. RUG, Surya. DRESSER, West Elm.
The youngest daughter’s bedroom is sophisticated but still has a sense of fun. The “Flower Market” poster, one of a collage of prints above the bed, inspired a sense of subtle whimsy: twinkle lights are threaded through the pictures, while the drapery fabric features a cloud motif.
Like her bedroom, the ensuite is a mix of sophisticated and unabashedly pretty. Ruffled antique lamps and a luxurious inlaid Palissandro marble tile floor impart a timeless look; the furniture-style vanity and open shelves offer plenty of storage.
Custom SIDE TABLE, Cian Design. PAINT, White Dove OC-17 (upper walls), Hale Navy HC-154 (wainscotting), Benjamin Moore. STORAGE BED, EQ3. PILLOWS, Tonic Living. BED LINENS, Beddy’s. RUG, Surya. STORAGE BENCH, Article. DESK CHAIR, Bed Bath & Beyond. CEILING LIGHT, Light House Co.
Despite the small size of the son’s bedroom, cleverly designed furniture and built-ins hold everything he needs: storage bed and bench; three-drawer bedside table; desk; and closet (with an extra-tall door that allows access to an extra shelf). Bonus? Making his bed each morning is a breeze, thanks to zip-up bed linens.
The son’s ensuite is as space efficient as a ship’s galley, and the navy blue tile and chrome fixtures give it a slightly nautical air. The mirror is a full-size medicine cabinet to hold sundries; the marble sink was a lucky Etsy find.
PAINT, White Down CC-50 (walls), French Beret 1610 (bar cabinets), Benjamin Moore. STAIR RUNNER, SECTIONAL, Elte. CHANDELIER, SCONCE (above bar), Hudson Valley Lighting Group. GYM EQUIPMENT, The Treadmill Factory. GYM FLOOR TILES, Maxum Fitness. GYM WALNUT WALL PANELS, Stone Tile. BAR WALL TILES, Saltillo Imports. RUG, Surya. SQUARE SIDE TABLE (beside sectional), CB2. COFFEE TABLE, ROUND SIDE TABLE (between chairs), Four Hands. LEATHER CHAIRS, Aboda Decor. BRASS BOWL, Etsy. Antique CROCK (on coffee table), Halliday House & Co.
The family dreamed of a space where everyone could gather together to hang out, read, watch TV and entertain. Backlit faux “windows” installed below the real ones banish the basement feeling, while plenty of bookshelf space, built-ins for games, a well-equipped bar for the grownups, a home gym, and Ping-Pong and pool tables make it a magnet for both two- and four-legged family members.
Photo courtesy Valerie Wilcox
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