With vaulted ceilings, open floor plan and expansive windows, the contemporary design of this new build in Gordon Head takes natural advantage of garden views on the main floor and ocean views from the upstairs master. At 4500 square feet, with five bedrooms (each with its own ensuite) including an in-law suite, there is ample space for the couple and their two teenagers for years to come. The interior design by Trudi Jones and Wendy White of Trudi Jones Interior Design reveals a skilled juxtaposition between the home’s contemporary architecture and old-world, European decorative elements. It’s a blend that satisfies the disparate tastes of their clients.
“Our top priority is always to capture the essence of our clients, to listen carefully and make sure they’re heard,” says Jones. “In the case of this husband and wife, he wanted a clean, modern look, while she craved dramatic colour and had her heart set on incorporating custom-built stained glass windows into the kitchen.”
White admits the vertical stained glass windows were a challenge to do justice in an otherwise modern space. Assisted by Stephanie Watchman from Island Floors, whose product expertise was invaluable, White encased the windows in a chevron-cut porcelain tile backsplash that extends across two full walls, with a stunning tile mosaic above the range to serve as a visual resting point. The honey and amber tones complement the windows, yet frame the traditional look of the stained glass with contemporary patterns that pull the old and new world elements together.
The curved dinette features pale blue upholstery that picks up colour from the stained glass windows and includes hidden storage for barbeque accoutrements within handy reach of the patio area just outside the sliding doors.
A walnut island and dark hardwood floors warm the white cabinetry, Quartz countertops,
stainless appliances and cool grey walls. The balance of colour and style draws the entire
family into this true heart of the home, where life centres around gatherings and meals with friends and extended family.
A built-in china cabinet helps transition between the kitchen, dining space and living
room, which is dominated by a fireplace finished in wavy, porcelain tile. The extended hearth serves as extra seating, and LED strip lighting above and below creates a dramatic effect. With its shimmery silver and blues, the area rug by Babak’s Fine Carpets ties together colour elements from elsewhere in the house and adds contemporary appeal.
Automatic lighting extends up the industrial-look staircase, where stainless rails and open, hardwood treads lead to the upper bedrooms, including the striking master.
To highlight the clients’ ornate, Italian furniture and reflect their strong Catholic faith, artisan Nicholas Alexander hand-painted an Icon of the Holy Family to hang above the bed. The painting becomes the focal point set against the rich backdrop of a feature wall painted in Drawing Room Blue by Farrow and Ball, with a pinstripe border. Dark hardwood flooring complements the furniture, while navy draperies feature a contemporary motif that modernizes the space. Cool grey walls lighten the space, along with a crystal chandelier and opaque glass barn doors that open into the master bath and walk-in closet.
Another chandelier adds feminine elegance to the master bath, along with porcelain tile for a clean, spa-like atmosphere while creating high contrast with the modern fixtures and dark cabinetry. A prized stained glass window blends effortlessly with the square, modern lines of the bathtub, adding colour and a touch of ornate detail.
The masterful blend of old-world, European elements within a contemporary backdrop create interior spaces where Jones and White say their clients truly feel at home.
