THE FRENCHESTATE HOME
Lead designer Jesse Sahlani ‘s approach when designing the French Estate home was centered around utilizing the prestigious size of the lot to the fullest in order to create a uniquely grand structure that is nestled at the center of a Court in King City, ON. The natural choice for the exterior cladding was a custom-fabricated limestone material that has a lighter taupe hue while still offering the depth of colour variation this material is known for. Symmetrical windows create a sense of organization and elegance that alludes to the origins of this design style, featuring many rooms within each manor.
As always, Jesse starts with perspective sketches. On the left is his final sketch of this unique chateau that serves as a simply detailed rendition of the timeless design style he loves so much. Sketching allows Jesse to develop and fully realize his design vision until he captures the feeling he had when he first envisioned the design at hand. In this case, he designed a casual rendition of the classically ornate French Chateau’s that grace the countryside of the burgundy and Champagne regions. He included arched windows, chevron stone details, and sleek built-in planter boxes. Each feature he designed serves to either accentuate or mitigate the perceived width and height of the structure upon approach.
The roofline in itself is a highly characterizing feature of Jesse’s design, featuring a traditionally steep pitch and dramatic height; he designed it to be the first thing a viewer notices for the first time. Tall limestone chimneys protrude through this roofline, adding to the perceived height with a detailed and elegant profile and proportion in relation to the home’s massing. The result is an almost dauntingly opulent form, a nod to this historic design discipline, and a compliment to the unrelentingly wide proportions of the front and rear facades.
The rear facade was designed to heavily characterize the outdoor entertainment spaces and amenities, serving as an opulent backdrop for relaxation and entertaining. The windows on the rear facade are far larger, offering a contemporary design influence to viewers. Jesse embraced this effect as he used these windows to both harness natural light into the home, while creating an indoor/outdoor connection that transcends spaces. The full intended effect of Jesse’s multidisciplinary design approach is realized through his ability to master-plan each private residence he commits to, and in this case, the connection between exterior and interior spaces is a great example of this. There is harmony in every detail, especially when you consider that the pool was centred with the great room and full height foyer hallway in order to reflect late afternoon natural light into these areas.
On the interior, Jesse designed a simple design plan characterized by stone features, light wood tones, simple tray ceiling details, and heavy use of colour in areas like the office and dining room.
This French chateau spans 6,500 square feet above grade and features a four-car garage, a grand foyer with full-height vaulted ceilings and double staircases, a large basketball court, a full theater capable of entertaining up to 15 people, and an elevator servicing all floors of the home for accessibility for this multi-generational family.
