MODEL OF DESIGN
No skimping on luxury and space at The Bungalows
October 24, 2009
Alex Newman
SPECIAL TO THE STAR
Downsizing never looked so good. Aiming to appeal to empty nesters – and those with boomerang kids – looking to move from sumptuous and spacious homes, the model at The Bungalows of Kilgour Estates doesn't stint on luxury and space.
Designers Mel Quilatan and Tania Richardson of Tomas Pearce Design selected this particular Burkebrook model, at 5,000 square feet, because they found it "exciting." Gone are the formal living and dining room, making way for a larger kitchen, dining and family room areas.
"We liked the casualness of this particular layout," Quilatan says of the $2 million model. "Although there's no formal living room, the two-storey family room is comfortable enough for everyday living and gracious enough for entertaining. Plus it's just feet away from the kitchen.''
In the designers' experience, whether to have open concept or not depends a lot on the client's age. While younger families prefer to keep an eye on children, older families "don't mind separating the kitchen from the living and dining room to keep mess out of sight, especially if you entertain and hire caterers."
The model has both options – a large archway into the kitchen can be closed off easily with French doors if buyers want. Plus, there's plenty of room for dining – a banquette with its plumply pillowed back against the wall and two chairs around the table offer lots of seating.
The designers also liked the individual rooms for furniture placement. As Richardson points out, symmetry works best: "It's easier to furnish when windows and fireplaces are centred on walls. That makes it easier to create focal points, sightlines, groupings and vignettes."
The large 25-foot by 15-foot family room, for example, is oriented toward the fireplace, with two button-tufted chenille sofas and a large glass coffee table grouped comfortably around it. Furniture styling is casual – plump pillows and cashmere throws – although silk, leather, cut pile velvet and cashmere are luxuriant fabrics and in sophisticated colours of pale smoky greys, muted mauves, ivory, ecru and light silver.
Double-height rooms are hard to do in most homes, adds Quilatan, because the footprint is usually too small to support their volume, making the room feel like an elevator shaft. But the 20-foot ceiling works well in this family room, thanks to its size and because the open railing around the atrium above keeps the space airy.
From a single fabric – the cut pile velvet in muted mauve – the designers took colour cues for wallcoverings, tiles, marbles, limestone, and granite.
"Even the tone of the hardwood was stained with a whitewash finish in a similar hue," Richardson says.
Shopping partly at retail and partly custom, the designers attempted to toe the line between traditional and modern, using elements that both can relate to without playing it too safe.
Eccentric pieces like the martini table with twisted horn legs add a quixotic, travelled feel.
Lighting, too, adds its unique stamp, like jewellery on a beautiful outfit, Richardson says. A modern bubble pendant hangs over the kitchen's dark wood island, an unusual art deco piece hangs over the master's king bed, while the delicate arms of a Murano glass chandelier illuminate the spectacular custom-made dining table.
In the dining room, pedestals upholstered in dark chocolate velvet and trimmed in brass nail studs support flower arrangements and flank a large oil painting hanging over the mirror. Cream marble in an undulated flame finish tops a custom made metal drum base, and the wall treatment looks like paper, but is, in fact, tiny hand-painted flowers applied directly to the wall by local artist Christina Pepe.
For complete relaxation and entertainment, though, buyers will be happy to know a finished lower level upgrade package was being offered. Quilatan and Richardson outfitted this level with a library and study, full gym and sauna, wine cellar/bar with pool table, and a media room with a big-screen TV. There are even vinyl-upholstered walls for sound attenuation.
The balance between gathering spaces and private retreat areas is clear and defined, especially with a bedroom on each floor – main, loft and lower level.
In the second-floor loft, there was ample room to create a den, master bedroom and ensuite, overlooking the two-story family room. On the main floor, a den and back bedroom are set apart from the main gathering space, and in the lower level, a spacious guest bedroom or nanny suite, depending on family makeup.
Toronto Star