ALL IS CALM
After two years of remodelling, a house built for celebrating Christmas is finally a serene wintry wonderland for a family of four.
After an extensive reno, a house built for celebrating Christmas is finally a serene wintry wonderland for a family of four.
From our home’s inception, every design decision we made had to pass the Christmas test,” says Dharshini Wijayakamar, referring to the remodelled four-bedroom Oakville, Ont., house she shares with husband Krish Parameswaran and their two sons, Ojas, 3 and Adi, 2. “I’d look at every room, every detail and wonder, how would this look at Christmas?” She credits this sentiment to growing up in a home that came to life during the holiday. “My parents implanted a real sense of wonder in us kids. Christmas was a truly sensorial experience,” she remembers. “You’d smell the shortbread cookies baking and see the garlands on the stairs. That’s something Krish and I wanted to pass along to our boys.”
Before this could happen, though, some serious work had to take place. “This was a 1960s house that had never been updated,” says Dharshini. So the couple spent the next two years working with an architect and builder to open up the layout and increase the square footage. “By the time we got to
The nearly-Nordic look of the raised island provides a smooth transition to the adjacent open family room. To up the cozy factor, Brittaney layered leather stools with sheepskin. It’s a place the family naturally gravitates to during the holidays. “Growing up, our home was filled with the aromas of my mom’s Christmas shortbread cookies, which she sprinkled with crushed candy canes,” recalls Dharshini. “I love passing traditions like these along to Ojas and Adi.”
“I’VE DISCOVERED THAT IF YOU DESIGN YOUR HOME FOR CHRISTMAS, IT WILL EVOKE PEACE AND JOY YEAR-ROUND.” – Dharshini Wijayakamar
In lieu of a sectional, Brittaney suggested two sofas covered in winter-white performance fabric and paired with a duo of swivel chairs in cloud-grey. For warmth, she added a wool sisal rug, and cushions in cozy tones. The woven-wicker chest contrasts with the smooth porcelain fireplace surround. “I love this room,” says Dharshini. “Something about the tones and textures in here feels like permission to plop down and relax.” Brittaney’s Christmas decor takes its cues from nature. “Who doesn't love the smell of eucalyptus?" says the designer. “And fresh greenery adds the prefect pop."
Custom CABINETRY (kitchen and family room), Jack Creasy, Bloomsbury Fine Cabinetry. Sahara Optic White SOFAS, WICKER TRUNK, BLUESTONE END TABLE, CUSHIONS, Muskoka Living Interiors. Lee Industries SWIVEL CHAIRS, CUSHIONS, Cocoon Furnishings. Thaddeus marble COFFEE TABLE, RH. CHRISTMAS TREE, Indigo. WREATH, Holland. GARLAND, Accents for Living. WALL PAINT, All White, Farrow & Ball.
furnishing our new space, we had two little kids and a serious case of decision fatigue,” says Dharshini. “Knowing more hands make for light work, we turned to a designer to make our rather empty looking house into a home.”
Enter designer Brittaney Elgner of Olly + Em Interiors, who embraced the family’s vision for a relaxed, open home filled with easy-care furnishings. To that end, she brought in comforting textural layers and a downy palette of winter whites and warm grey tones. The aesthetic plays beautifully all year long and especially shines at Christmas. Brittaney had a hand there, too, adorning the home with aromatic eucalyptus, lush evergreen boughs and earthy pine cones. Says Brittaney: “The look is relaxed enough to be modern, but traditional enough to convey the magic of home.” The perfect setting to create new holiday traditions.
“EVERY DESIGN DECISION WE MADE HAD TO PASS THE CHRISTMAS TEST.” – Dharshini Wijayakamar
“Dharshini and Krish wanted the boys to grow up feeling free to use every inch of their home,” says Brittaney. To this end, this little tent in the hallway is ready for playtime – anytime! It’s accompanied by a tiny winter forest and a sheepskin “bed of snow” inside.
CHILD’S TENT, Nature’s Blossom. WALL ART, Accents for Living. TINY CHRISTMAS TREES, Pottery Barn. SHEEPSKIN, HomeSense.
“WHEN YOU ADD SEASONAL GREENS AND BLOOMS TO A BEDROOM, YOU GET A LOOK THAT’S FESTIVE, BUT RESTFUL AT THE SAME TIME.” – Brittaney Elgner
The master bedroom’s canopy bed is enclosed enough to be cozy yet also open and airy. Deep-toned Kelley Wearstler lamps with brass accents are paired with white-washed bedside tables; at the foot of the bed is a cushy bench covered in sweater-like wool. The fluffy feather wreath and faux-fur throw nod to the season, as does an understated vase-full of greenery. Brittaney kept the room open and fresh by choosing simple furnishings with clean lines, and pulling in layers of wool in a variety of textures to soften hard surfaces.
Nior Furniture BEDSIDE TABLES, Sand Linen EURO PILLOW, Pine Cone Hill SHAM, COVERLET, and Pine Cone Hill SHEETS, Muskoka Living Interiors. Armato BEDSIDE LAMPS, Lee Industries BENCH, Cocoon Furnishings. Dash & Albert Neils RUG, Accents for Living. Lumbar PILLOW, CB2. Faux Fur THROW, Elte.
“TO TRULY UNWIND AFTER THEIR BUSY DAYS, DHARSHINI AND KRISH NEEDED A COCOON-LIKE SPACE.” – Brittaney Elgner
Playtime for Ojas and Adi unfolds in a room that’s merry and bright. The wood furnishings and wool Sherpa stools provide a natural backdrop for the colourful mounted make-believe animals dressed in holiday attire and a joyful Christmas tree, decked in decorations the boys crafted themselves. Tiny wool trees on the credenza create an imaginary woodland alongside little conifers. Low storage keeps toys and supplies out of sight.
TABLE and BENCH, Sherpa Stools, RH.
CREDENZA, Elte MKT. Dash & Albert
RUG, Accents for Living. Fiona Walker England ANIMAL WALL ART, West
Coast Kids. CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS, Michaels. Red wool CHRISTMAS TREES, Hofland. Melissa and Doug GIRAFFE, HomeSense. CORNER CHRISTMAS TREE and DECORATIONS, IKEA. FRAMED ART, Pottery Barn Kids.
“THE PLAYROOM WAS DESIGNED AS A SPACE FOR THE BOYS TO EXPLORE THEIR CREATIVITY AND IMAGINATIONS.” – Brittaney Elgner
BEDS, RUG, Muskoka Living Interiors. Nailhead Linen STORAGE BENCHES, LAMPS, Sherpa STOOL, RH. DUVET COVER and PILLOW, IKEA. THROW,
West Elm. Animal SHAM, GARLAND,
Pottery Barn Kids. Yellow PILLOWS, Zara Home. HANGING CHAIR, Serena & Lily. SHEEPSKIN, HomeSense. Cross stitch WALLPAPER, Magnolia Home. STAR PILLOW, Zara Home. TOY DEER, Elte.
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