A New Home Near Toronto Receives an Edgy Makeover

How to Transform a New Build With Design

Toronto-based designer Rebecca Hay worked her magic on this home in neighboring Oakville, Ontario. The project involved taking a new construction blank slate and infusing it with contemporary sophistication that balances light and dark colors. The end result is far from cookie cutter, thanks to geometric floor tiles, unexpected black paint finishes, fun wallpaper, bright accent colors and bold statement lighting.

Create a Dramatic and Functional Entrance

The white and bright foyer is anchored by a larger-than-life mirror to balance the area's scale. A fun black-and-white geometric floor pattern adds interest to the otherwise white space, punctuated by a dark blue velvet bench. "As a mom of two little kids I always see the value in adding seating near the front door whenever possible. It’s a great place to sit and take off your shoes after a long day," Rebecca advises.

Small, Impactful Touches in Molding and Lighting Transform a Hallway

"This is not your regular hallway," Rebecca notes. The narrow hall connects the foyer to the kitchen, and Rebecca decided to make it more interesting by adding wall paneling and crown molding. It also continues the foyer's airy feel. Oversized gold-lined light pendants prevent the space from feeling too sterile or serious.

Light and Dark Colors Make a Mudroom Chic

"Ironically this home was completed right before the pandemic when staying home was a novelty! But this fun neon sign shows guests that the home's inhabitants don’t take themselves too seriously," Rebecca says about the mudroom off the garage. The black accent paint (Benjamin Moore's Raccoon Fur) and geometric floors are another testament to having fun with the home makeover. Rebecca also added shiplap walls for durability and a floating bench to allow for shoe storage.

Dramatic Kitchen Lighting Is a Conversation Starter

Playful light fixtures from Matteo dominate in the kitchen. "Unique lighting is one of my favorite ways to add interest to a space; it’s such a great conversation starter," Rebecca shares. Black accent paint reappears here, where it's balanced by white oak cabinets and a white oak veneer pantry on the far right that Rebecca added for extra storage.

A Contemporary Kitchen Countertop and Hidden Appliances Define This Glam Kitchen

"I love the look of a thin contemporary countertop," Rebecca shares. "Gone are the days of faking a thick slab over the top counter edge," she notes, pointing out how the waterfall effect emphasizes the thin line. "I don’t typically use a waterfall counter, but this kitchen felt dark with the almost black paint, so the added counter helps to add contrast and brighten up the space."

As for the appliances? "Any chance we get to hide a fridge we take," Rebecca emphasizes. "I hate when stainless appliances become a feature. I’d much prefer to focus on the pretty lighting and millwork details."

A Gorgeous Marble Countertop Requires Some Research

"The marble counters we chose for this kitchen were a real splurge," Rebecca divulges, "but absolutely worth every penny. When you look up close you can see the layers of stone inside the slab." The same marble was used for the backsplash as well. On the flip side, this type of marble proved brittle and required a lot of repairs. "My tip: Always ask your supplier when selecting natural stone how easy it will be to cut," Rebecca advises.

Repeating Colors and Materials Throughout a Home Creates Cohesion

"Repetition is my number one rule when designing any home," says Rebecca. "In order for a space to feel cohesive and well designed, I like to repeat elements, materials and colors multiple times throughout the space." She also likes to incorporate natural wood and finishes, along with leather touches, to warm up modern homes.

Adding Vintage Pieces Adds Depth and Character

"This was a vintage round marble table we found at a local shop," Rebecca says. "It ties in beautifully with the warm camel tones of the leather chairs and picks up on the lighter elements in the room." Not to mention it also complements the rest of the kitchen marble. Rebecca shops vintage whenever possible since she loves the backstory and character these pieces add, particularly in newer settings.

Black Countertops in a Butler's Pantry Hide Mess

The butler’s pantry connects the kitchen and dining room. Here, Rebecca opted for a black marble counter in order to maintain sleek and elegant lines and hide any mess from dishes. The counter is balanced with open shelving and blue leopard wallpaper. The latter "ties in with the blue ceiling in the dining room without competing," Rebecca notes.

A Stunning Dining Room Uses a Wallpapered Ceiling to Beautiful Effect

Rebecca took advantage of the dining room's 12-foot ceilings since the room itself is on the smaller side. She chose a red-and-blue vintage rug to contrast and ground the Anna French wallpaper on the ceiling, and finished the overall wow factor with midcentury modern chandeliers from Matteo. A simple wooden table keeps the focus on the rest of the decor, while dark blue velvet chairs unify the ceiling and floor.

For Entertaining, Two Living Room Sofas Are Often Better Than One Massive Sectional

"This is the one living area of the house, so it needed to serve many functions, most notably entertaining as it’s adjacent to the kitchen," Rebecca explains. With that in mind, she prioritized seating. "Two sofas are better than one giant sectional when you like to entertain a lot," she suggests. Other additions included the modular coffee table for flexible arrangements and satellite leather tables that can be used together or apart. Golden yellow chairs from Elte Mkt liven up the otherwise neutral space.

Streamline Open Shelving Accessories to Avoid a Cluttered Look

Rebecca advises against using too many different kinds of materials on open shelves in order to achieve a streamlined look. "Here we stuck with mostly black-and-gold accessories. It helps keep the shelves from feeling too cluttered."

The black-and-gold accents nicely complement the eye-catching fireplace surround; the custom design employed the same veiny marble used in the kitchen.

A Floating Vanity and Gold Ceiling Make a Powder Room Feel Bigger

Rebecca chose a whimsical look for the powder room. "The black penny tile floor grounds this flighty space that combines all the pretty jewel tones seen throughout the house," Rebecca shares. "We had a little extra fun painting the ceiling gold." Also fun is this butterfly wallpaper from Schumacher. The marble sink adds continuity from the kitchen and fireplace.

Meanwhile, a floating vanity helps the space feel larger than it is, while making the floor easier to clean.

Try a Bold Color in a Home Office Rather Than a Less Impactful Accent Wall

The home office takes on a moody vibe, with black-and-gold accents balancing the soothing Phillipsburg Blue paint color from Benjamin Moore on the ceiling and walls. Rebecca takes an all-or-nothing approach with color: "I’m all for going bold with color and going all the way — no more accent walls," she emphasizes.

Rebecca and her team also added custom built-in cabinets next to the window along with applied wall moldings. "These details make the home look and feel older than it is," she says. She also paid attention to the doors; here, the cabinet doors mirror the interior Metrie doors.

Bold Custom Hardware Adds Bespoke Details to a Home Office

Rebecca's team also custom made the gold hardware, and it can be bought at Shayne Fox Hardware.

Artwork Gives a Home Office a Book-Centric Theme

"We chose art that fit within the theme of the room; in this case it's all about imagining books because the room was too small to fill with real books," says Rebecca, explaining how she infused a traditional office with a modern twist.

Sculptural Lighting Provides a Foyer Focal Point

Rebecca took advantage of the two-story entry by keeping it modern yet interesting. "This chandelier looks like upside-down candles and I love that you can see it through the window at night."

A Hint of Pink Brings Interest to This Neutral, Cozy Bedroom

"Bedrooms should feel luxurious and relaxing," Rebecca says. She chose pink as the primary accent color in the upstairs main bedroom, and kept the rest of the room neutral. The artwork above the bed is a vintage find, and Rebecca likes how it unifies the room. Not least, she used gray grasscloth on the 10-foot ceiling to make the bedroom feel cozier.

Coordinating Pink Art and Decorative Accents Lend Sophistication to This Pretty Bedroom

This pink Chanel art print balances the pink pillows on the bed while adding an air of feminine sophistication.

New Animal Print Upholstery on a Vintage Chaise Adds Playful, Sustainable Elegance

Other fun room touches include this backlit onyx electric fireplace and antique chaise lounge chair. Rebecca had it reupholstered in a striped animal pattern for something different. "It adds a luxurious and playful touch. We love to repurpose old finds. It lessens your carbon footprint and adds loads of character at the same time."

Vintage Rugs Add Durability and Interest to Modern Spaces Like This Bedroom

This part of the bedroom channels other parts of the home, from the vintage red-and-blue rug and Metrie door to the statement mirror and pendant light. Rebecca adds how they continued the two-step wall panelling seen throughout the home for the crown molding and ceiling; this has a subtle yet elegant effect. Rebecca also likes how the geometric mirror reflects the pink pillows, and how the rug really stands out against the white oak plank floors. Speaking of rugs, she recommends using vintage rugs for their durability and easy way to add interest to modern spaces.

Designer Pro Tip: Mosaic Bathroom Floor Tiles Add Texture and Interest

"Mixing black and brass is a sophisticated but fun combination," says Rebecca. "We played with texture and tones in this principal ensuite," she mentions, noting how much she loves the marble mosaic floor tile. "Mosaics are always my first choice for bathroom floors. They are naturally anti-slip and that adds so much texture and interest. It also feels great beneath your feet — especially when accompanied with in-floor heating!"

Big Mirrors in This Bathroom Make the Room Feel Bigger

"I always say that mirrors are like rugs … the bigger they are, the bigger the room feels," Rebecca advises. She points out how the natural light reflected in the custom-framed mirror also makes the room feel larger. Aside from that, the bathroom is reminiscent of the kitchen with white oak cabinets and black accents.

Be Bold With Tiled Bathroom Walls and Statement Wallpaper for a High-End Look

Rebecca recommends making bold statements in small spaces. "The absolute best part of this ensuite is that fish wallpaper! I wanted to keep a little whimsy and continue the somewhat playful theme of the house, and what better place to do it than in the water closet?"

She also strongly advises tiling all bathroom walls. "It’s a high-end hotel look and easy to clean."

Continuous Bathroom Tile on Walls and Floors Adds a Bigger, Airy Feel

Speaking of tile, the team used the same tile throughout the primary bath, ensuring that the wall and shower floor tile matched the rest of the bathroom. Just like mirrors, Rebecca explains how the continuity lends itself to a bigger and more airy feel.

She also suggests opting for a large soaking tub. "It’s one of the biggest asks we get from clients. If you have the space, do it," Rebecca urges. Not least, gold fixtures and dramatic lighting complete this picture of modern elegance.

A Shower Nook in Matching Tile Adds a Seamless Look

One last thing to be mentioned about this bathroom is the decision to use the same tile in the shower niche in order to create a seamless look. "It was a bit of a departure to put the niche under the shower, but it made the most sense from a usability standpoint," Rebecca mentions.

Colorful Decals on White Walls Add Flair to a Laundry Room

Rebecca kept the second-floor laundry room clean and simple, but it's not boring. For something different yet fun, she chose blue wall decals from Urban Walls. She also likes how decals are an easy decorating alternative for those on a budget.

Hang a Tall Dressing Mirror Horizontally for Big Bathroom Impact

Rebecca made sure to infuse fun into the kids' bathroom with this yellow Schumacher wallpaper. She contrasted it with a marble counter, ink black vanity, black hardware and black floor tile. "Patterned tile is also a fun way to hide the mess," Rebecca notes. "The mirror was a lucky find when the one we ordered just didn't fit. We found this dressing mirror at a local big box store and flipped it horizontally and it fit perfectly!"

Mixed Metals, Bright Wallpaper and Natural Stone Counters Add Fun to a Kids' Bath

"Natural stone counters really add unique interest to this bathroom vanity," Rebecca says. She acknowledges that it can be tempting to choose a solid plain surface, but that this type of marble elevates the space to the next level. It also reflects the yellow wallpaper, making for a cool effect. "Mixing metals is still [another] great way to design a bathroom that doesn’t take itself too seriously," she adds. Not taking anything too seriously sums up this home, which exemplifies how it's possible to combine modern sophistication with a sense of fun.

Tour a Toronto Home Where Black and Geometrics Rule

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