Mar 23, 2015

House tour: Seaside sophistication

Family room

"The family room is all about the stone fireplace and the driftwood coffee table," says Dave Leavitt, general manager of Fox Design Studio. "They share an organic sensibility that brings the beauty of the landscape in and represents the tranquility of the beach and all of its colours."

Custom low profile sectional

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Image by: Style at Home By: Christy Wright Source: Tracey Ayton

The family room's sectional was custom made with a low profile so that it wouldn't impede the stunning views. Its warm grey tone grounds the space.

Breakfast nook

A whimsical chandelier crafted from old pop bottles was the starting point for the kitchen's eat-in area. "A breakfast nook should never be too fancy," says designer Ben Leavitt. "This fixture is very casual but has all the sparkle of chandelier." Navy and white upholstered chairs offer a crisp nautical-inspired look that suits the home's seaside setting.

Refreshed white kitchen

The traditional white kitchen, with its recessed panel cabinetry and detailed mouldings and corbels, is freshened up with black bistro-style stools and pendant lights.

Nautical meets a touch of glam

There's an obvious relaxed nautical style throughout the home, even in the dishware and table linens. But if you look closely you'll find hints of glamour, like the gold-tipped flatware.

Feature walls and animal sculptures

A feature wall hand-painted by designer Andrew Harvey defines the master bedroom's sitting area. The whimsical sheep sculpture, originally peach-coloured, was painted white and chosen with the owners in mind. "They love animals," says Dave, "so we thought this would be a nice touch. It's also great here because the back of the sofa is seen from the bedroom, and this transforms it."

Master bedroom

"A master bedroom should look relaxing," says Dave, "so we typically don't use bold colours, but rather textures and patterns." The custom nightstands feature reclaimed railway posts that provide a rustic counterpoint to the show-stopping ceiling. "We highlighted the domed ceiling above the bed by silver leafing it. It took more than 20 hours to do but was worth it, since the shimmery finish creates depth and drama."