Family-Friendly Meets High-Fashion in This Toronto CEO’s Pretty in Pink Home

A new extension at the back of the house made way for the family space Christine desired. “This is the heart of the home,” says designer Mia Parres. “The floor plan is so lovely because it offers separate areas for reading, lounging, cooking and eating, yet still allows the family to feel as though they’re all together in one room.”

“The inspiration for my home is from so many showrooms I’ve visited over the past 20 years, most notably Valentino’s in Place Vendôme, Paris,” says Christine. Mia ran with the fashionable brief. She says, “I wanted to create a bohemian chic vibe with a classic and timeless look.” Exuberant lashings of colour, interesting layers of texture and a mix of traditional and whimsical furniture do just that.

“The family room is framed by double doors that let in beautiful natural light,” says Mia. That light bathes a cheap-and-cheerful, yet sophisticated gallery wall. “Christine and Trevor chose these images from a calendar I bought in Florence and finished them with frames from a big-box store,” says Mia. “Groupings like this create visual interest and are an easy way to add another dimension to the space.”

The family room’s drapes have a fashionable provenance befitting a globe-trotting, shoe-shopping CEO. “The fabric was inspired by metallic linen drapes I saw in Kate Spade’s showroom,” says Christine. “The two-tone treatment is a replica of the drapery seen in the rooms at the Hotel Savoy in Florence.”

No detail was too small for Mia. She says, “Most of us tend to have a stack of magazines or coffee table books sitting around, and adding little details like an inlaid box or a glass orb make it feel stylish. This crystal ball really picks up on the other colours and brings a sense of wonder to the space.”

“These chairs are fabulous and one of my favourite elements in the home,” says Mia. “I’ve always loved a versatile chair that looks just as stylish indoors or out. The woven textural quality really makes them stand out in the space.” They are paired with soft cushions and form a welcoming perch by the fire.

The painting over the fireplace is by Montreal-based artist Lucie Leduc and was purchased at Canvas Gallery. “It incorporates soft floral vibes into the space but also accentuates the overall colour scheme’s vibrant corals and pops of turquoise,” says Mia. It feels sophisticated and its scale is perfect here, though Mohawk doesn’t seem to notice.

Mia sourced the kitchen island stools with the layout very much in mind. “Backless stools are a great option in an open-plan room as they don’t close in the island, obstruct sightlines or take away from the beauty of the marble countertop.” These ones have classic carved legs and create a commanding profile.

This fluid silver statuette was a birthday gift from Christine’s mom. Mia says, “It is such a beautiful piece that we had to find a prominent spot for it.”

Look closely and you’ll see that the kitchen backsplash is actually an intricate herringbone pattern. “It ties in with the Calacatta marble countertops without being too matchy,” says Mia. She admits the countertops were a definite splurge but worth it for the way they infuse a bit of glamour into the utilitarian space. Christine found the framed artwork above the range at Toronto’s One of a Kind Show.

The kitchen’s built-in hutch is both pretty and purposeful. “The glass doors add a sophisticated element,” says Mia. They also afford a peek at Christine’s collection of fine china and crystal. The closed lower cabinets house the kids’ board games, cards and arts and crafts items.

Before hanging above the kitchen’s centre island, this stunning chandelier was waiting in the wings. “When Christine and Trevor first moved in, friends who no longer wanted the sparkly fixture offered it to them as a gift. It was stored away until the perfect spot for it was found. It’s very inviting here.”

It’s impossible to find a designer showroom that doesn’t boast oodles of fresh flowers, and Christine is inspired by that. She likes to mix bouquets (which feature multiples of one type of flower) with potted greenery and topiaries for a pretty, fresh and eclectic effect.

Channelling the Parisian bistros she sees on her buying trips for The September, Christine brought a little Gallic glamour home by incorporating bistro chairs into the breakfast nook. They sit opposite a church pew that Mia salvaged and Trevor revitalized with a coat of white paint. Soft cushions and a hide rug keep the space layered and interesting.

The casual breakfast nook takes on a deliciously European air thanks to Christine’s inviting and stylish place settings. She says simply, “We just love to eat here together.”

“These cushions are inspired by designer Kelly Wearstler,” says Christine. “I met Kelly at her New York showroom a few years ago when she launched her jewellery collection and have been following her ever since.” Christine translated Wearstler’s signature use of bold colour and pattern into these breakfast nook cushions, which were custom-made by Tonic Living.

“My home is all about personalization, as opposed to following trends,” says Christine (pictured here).”It had to be family-friendly (that includes Mohawk!) and Mia helped me make that happen. No matter where I am, I’m always looking forward to coming home. Our house is welcoming, calming and a reflection of who we are.”