A Study of Contrasts

In a small conurbation numbering just 7,000 inhabitants on the outskirts of Toronto lies the home of a pair of empty nesters, who called upon local firm U31 Design for their interior design needs for a mansion project

Photographs by Gillian Jackson

In the living room, plush blue furniture is accented by metal artifacts from the couples’ travels including a Moroccan shield hanging above the fireplace

The wife’s study has pale sycamore wall panelling and is filled with books, art and light, and is home to a stunning 1970s brass and nickel desk

In a small conurbation numbering, just 7,000 inhabitants on the outskirts of Toronto lies the home of a pair of empty nesters, who called upon local firm U31 Design for their interior design needs for a home.

Spread across several acres of land. The 17,000-square-foot mansion is one of a handful massive properties U31’s principal Neil Jonsohn designed for this couple and their family. The completely new build, containing mostly custom elements, took four years to complete from pre-construction to end product.

While the exterior design of the house is rather traditional, the treatment of adornments makes the overall style contemporary. ‘We had lots of ceiling height which gave us the opportunity to play with different drops, creating all this drywall detailing,’ says Neil. ‘It was kept flat and simple, and all painted out. For example, we set the beams with wood board on the upper level of the ceiling on the diagonal to create interest.’

The most used place in the house, and also the last to be developed, is the garden room. This multi-use space features windows that can be folded back during summer so it becomes open air, enabling the couple to be inside while enjoying nature. The inviting room contains mostly plush blue furniture, accented by bold metal artifacts from the couple’s travels. In fact, the house is defined by colour stories. To connect the garden room to the dining room, Neil kept the palette of the ‘great room’ (or living room, which sits between the two) in neutral and soft greys with injections of bold blue and red. The warm tones are carried into the dining room through ruby chairs - a vibrant shade requested by the couple.

The functional kitchen was zoned-out to allow numerous people to work at once. The island becomes the cooking station with prep sink, and the main , is used for clean up, while the stone surround behind the cooktop houses other areas including a bar, coffee station, and wine fridges.

This colour play continues in the dramatic entryway, which comprises of three marbles in shades of black, grey, and white. ‘As we developed the space, we began thinking about the space in 3D. Circular motifs were created on the ceiling so we ‘reflected’ them onto the floor. There isn’t much in the way of furniture so we used a variety of stones in order to keep the hallway from falling flat,’ Neil says.

On the upper level, the couple each have their own master bedrooms connected by a sitting room with balcony. While one suite is feminine and light with soft blues, dove greys and whites, the other is more masculine, with walnut panelling and black and gold finishes on the arches and a vanity with shots of deep green and bronze-gold. ‘When you’re in the feminine suite, the white gloss lacquer, parchment detailing, and indirect lighting make the entire room glow,’ says Neil. ‘The husband however wanted a view of the back garden from his vanity, so we had to suspend the mirror in front of the window with integrated lighting. I also like how it’s relatively masculine,’ he adds.

With a background in woodworking, Neil integrated the material throughout the home to bring an element of warmth. ‘Because we had painted out the background with soft neutrals, incorporating wood added a glow to places that needed it. In the great room, wood on the ceiling relates to the wood on the floor which is done in herringbone so you have these diagonal motifs on both floor and ceiling - it connects everything.’

In the entrance hallway, there isn’t much furnishing so it was decided to use a variety of stones in order to keep the hallway from falling flat

Inside the dramatic entrance hallway, circular motifs were added to the ceiling so they reflect on the marble floor which has three shades; black, grey and white

‘Because we had painted-out the background with soft neutrals, incorporating wood added a glow to the places that needed it. In the great room wood on the ceiling relates to the wood on the floor which is done in herringbone so you have these diagonal motifs on both floor and ceiling - it connects everything,’ says interior designer Jonsohn

To connect the garden room to the dining room, Jonsohn kept the palette of the ‘great room’ in neutrals and greys with injections of bold blue and red and the warm tones are carried into the dining room through ruby chairs, a vibrant shade requested by the client

In the wife’s feminine master bedroom, a calming palette of soft blues, dove greys and whites was used.

In the kitchen, the island with cooktop becomes the cooking station with prep sink and the main sink is used for cleanup, while the stone surround behind cooktop houses conceals other areas including bar, coffee station, and wine fridges.

The husband’s mirror above the vanity unit is suspended in front of a window as he wanted a view of the garden.

The husband’s mirror above the vanity unit is suspended in front of a window as he wanted a view of the garden. The black, grey and white colour palette is continued throughout the entrance hall way and even includes the front door and window panes.

The designer visited New York City with the clients to collect the etched brass cocktail table for the husband’s study which features more wood panelling

All the furniture was either sourced or designed specifically for the home. Most of the carpets are custom or antique and the husband and wife brought only a few personal pieces along. ‘I visited New York with the clients to source period pieces and some of the upholstery - they were insistent on sitting in the furniture before purchasing.’ When asked about his most cherished room, Neil is still undecided. ‘That’s a tough one - it all came together very well.’ He eventually decides on the wife’s study with its pale sycamore wall paneling, filled with books, art, and light. But then he also loves the cozy family space and the spacious kitchen.

Overall Neil says he’s pleased with the outcome. ‘Because we’d worked with the clients on previous projects, a friendship and trust existed that allowed for ease of communication,’ he says. ‘They had opinions, but we're open-minded and understood the process enough to allow the consultants to do their jobs. I think the client and team can make or break a project, and we got lucky here. It was a dream job and a wonderful experience.’