A MATERIAL PALETTE THAT FEELS PATINA’D

The interior was designed by Jesse to be a contemporary yet soulful rendition of a classic farmhouse-style interior, though he interpreted it through a far more dramatic lens than is typical of this stylistic category. His design intent was expressed through a colour and material palette that feels as if it has a patina, avoiding stark contrast and creating visual depth through the use of texture, lighting, and features that accentuate the proportions of the space. The materials he selected to support this notion include white oak ceilings, cabinetry and flooring, lime wash paint, rustic bronze features, and viola marble that features a range of colours and striation.

PROPORTIONS THAT CREATE AN EXPERIENTIAL ENVIRONMENT

The desired experiential nature of the environment within the home started with the proportions, an aspect of the design plan that was curated to support this notion from the early conceptual sketches. Jesse’s approach is always to design the proportions to feel out of the ordinary in the best way possible, and this intention was achieved to a high standard. These same proportions were the impetus behind the name that has become popularly associated with this body of work: the Kleinburg Cathedral. And while the proportions of the vault itself are one thing, it is worth noting that the space from a side profile feels “just right” as well. This was no coincidence, as Jesse designed the millwork to feel low and wide, accentuating the height of the space in relation to the full-height fireplace feature. This same feature also serves to create a visual separation between spaces within the open-concept floor plan.

A REINTERPRETATION OF CONVENTIONAL OBJECTS INTO SCULPTURAL FORMS

Jesse approached several common household items far differently than would be typical of private residence design within the North American market. His intention was to design the home to feel like a livable gallery space that feels artistic and sculptural in form to complement the proportions of each space. A notable example of this is the kitchen island, which is composed of a rare viola marble with unique colour variation. Jesse designed this island to bring another proportion into the space that similarly feels out of the ordinary. The result is an expansive island spanning 12 feet in width, 5 feet in depth, and featuring two large blocks as legs with a top slab. This is one of our favourite sculptures he has designed in recent months, and it speaks to the level of intention with which he approached every square inch of this home. Form aside, the range of browns, yellows, greens, and violets that run through the striation of the veining brings a natural element into the space that feels warm and intrinsically luxurious.

A similar sentiment can be seen when looking at the grand staircase, a feature that was inspired by the Art Gallery of Ontario, a Frank Gehry-designed space that is special to both brothers after John-Luke was married in the great hall of this stunning gallery. As a result, Jesse designed this stunning staircase to serve as a sculpture within the space, offering a nod to the materials used throughout in a continuous format through all levels of the home. This staircase connects to a mezzanine that overlooks both the foyer and entrance hallway, making it feel like an extension of the home’s structure.

A HOME DESIGNED AS A MICRO-RESORT

The home office was juxataposingly designed as a light, bright, airey space that leans into the traditional farmhouse aesthetic more heavily than other spaces seen throughout the home. The white brick fireplace feature was designed to bring the character of the exterior facade into the interior, while light wood cabinetry, herringbone flooring, and lime wash paint were selected to offer a subtle dash of texture and depth to the space without being distracting. Our favourite part about this space is the large windows on either side looking out to the front of the home on the left, while the window wall and door on the right provides access to the exterior courtyard.