The homeowners wanted spare, minimal furniture so as not to take away from the great view of Lake Simcoe.
Shirley Meisels, principal designer of Toronto's MHouse Inc., describes her style as modern, yet warm and approachable. Those qualities were called into play when she took on a summer home for a city family with three children (and a fourth on the way).
The design brief: My clients wanted something super simple, uncluttered and clean to retreat to on the weekends. We just wanted something that was comfy, but bright and airy – with a big low-maintenance factor. So we went for a simple kitchen – leather chairs and ottomans, distressed-wood harvest table, plastic moulded chairs. Very kid-friendly and easy to clean and maintain.
The starting point: The distinguishing features of this house are the high ceilings and breathtaking windows that face Lake Simcoe. We wanted an uncluttered view, with spare, minimal furnishings so the eye would travel through the space to the outdoors.
The challenge: How to make an unadorned space feel comfortable without adding clutter. I layered wood grains and neutrals, soft natural fabrics like linen and furs to add texture and warmth, with pops of black for a bit of zing.
What worked well: I think the big, black harvest table set against the light-oak, spare kitchen makes a statement and acts to ground both the kitchen and the great room.
Your design rule: I like to play with contrasts … natural materials mixed with man-made plastics, for example. Black and white, oversized next to streamlined. These opposites help to create interest and drama.
The design rule you were happy to break: I usually like a hit of colour here and there. In this case I had to use a lot of restraint to stay within a more neutral colour palette!
Favourite aspect of this project: I love how modern and edgy this space looks in its minimalism, yet it's utterly practical for kids with its durable surfaces, comfortable seating and enough storage tucked away to hide clutter.
Design pet peeve (in general): I'm not a fan of the high-contrast trim and paint concept. I think mouldings painted white against a bright colour can look like a racing stripe and are distracting.
This interview has been edited and condensed