TWIST OF FATE
How a random Internet connection led to the creation of one family’s perfect home
Sometimes the perfect match comes at the most serendipitous time. Years ago, homeowners Peter Riggin and Alex Luby were searching for a sectional for their family room. They visited a store in Whitby, Ont., where Orsi Panos happened to be working as a designer, and she effortlessly connected them with exactly what they needed. Fast-forward a few years, and the homeowners were now ready to overhaul their whole home. Orsi’s name popped up on a friend’s social media profile; she now had her own design firm. It felt like fate.
The couple’s 2,800-squarefoot home in Toronto’s Beaches neighbourhood had served the family (which includes daughters Mackenzie, 20, and Cassandra, 17) well for the past 16 years, but they were tired of the impractical design and outdated builderbasic finishes. So, with a function-focused wish list in hand, Peter and Alex tasked Orsi with creating a fresh interior vision.
On the top of the to-do list was the cramped, storagechallenged kitchen. While they initially debated removing the peninsula to open
up the space, Orsi and the homeowners ultimately decided to maintain the layout, providing more dining space so the couple can host company. Ductwork was strategically hidden behind panelling made to look like cabinetry and the cabinets were reconfigured to make it easy to access hidden space.
Another priority was addressing the living room’s functionality. A fireplace taking up most of one wall meant a lack of seating options. By removing the fireplace and instead adding one in the upstairs family room (not shown), Orsi could incorporate a slim sofa, a loveseat, armchairs and stools, creating the perfect place for larger gatherings and book club meetings (Alex is an avid reader).
Choosing neutral furnishings meant cherished family items, such as the piano, oil lamp collection and artwork, could still take centre stage in the revamped space. “Mixing meaningful pieces with new ones creates the perfect balance for a soulful home,” says Orsi, who personalized even the colour palette.
Using a rich shade of blue (inspired by one of Alex’s purses) as a jumpingoff point, Orsi worked her magic to imbue the entire home with a fresh and modern look that still feels warm, inviting and livable. Her effortless mix of recent purchases and old favourites, as well as her expert layering of textures, finishes and hues, add up to a functional and fashionable interior that’s big on character.
“When you’re redesigning a small house, plan carefully and personalize the process, and you’ll end up with your dream home,” says Orsi. It’s good advice, because it landed these homeowners in their perfect abode – and it’s all thanks to a random reconnection and being in the right place at the right time.