Deco drama

A classic yet contemporary design gives this suburban model home wide appeal

For Bryon Patton, designing the model home at Forest Trail Estates in Ballantrae was all about creating savvy, sophisticated design that was also approachable. “A space can be exceptionally decorated and look amazing, but the challenge is to make spaces look liveable and intimate,” says the interior designer, who teamed with Sean Swayze and Liz McKay, all of Bryon Patton and Associates, on the project. The design features a rich blend of neutral tones paired with yellow, steel blue and copper accents, as well as art and accessories. “[The] furnishings are eclectic, combining contemporary minimalism with transitional traditional detailing,” the designer adds. The last house available for sale at the Geranium Homes site, the model is 4,266 square feet and $1,630,000. The sales office is located on Highway 48, south of Aurora Road, and is open Monday to Wednesday from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m., Thursday and Friday by appointment, and weekends from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Call 905-642-1900 or visit geraniumhomes.com. 1 Designed by Mies van der Rohe in the 1930s, these Brno dining chairs “are still very up to date and chic,” says Mr. Patton. The black leather chairs add a clean-lined but classic component to the eclectic dining room — and they’re comfortable to sit in, too. 2 Featuring a steel base paired with an unfinished rustic wood top, this table, designed to seat up to eight, contrasts with the very urban dining chairs. Crystal candlesticks are set alongside moss accents and ceramic birds, picking up on the natural elements just outside the doors. 3 “The three pairs of French doors are a gracious architectural detail to the room,” Mr. Patton says. Opening to a terrace, they bring plenty of sunshine into the space. The designer flanked them with bronze silk drapes, contrasting with the pale butterscotch walls and crisp white trim. 4 The polished chrome buffet from Elte contrasts with the more traditional Asian-inspired console across the room, for “a modern twist on a traditional piece,” Mr. Swayze says. The chandelier offers another modern take, designed from lasercut chrome and crystals. 5 A four-poster bed “interpreted in modern materials” is the centrepiece of the master bedroom. The brushed-steel bedframe features a headboard panel in rough-hewn wood. “It’s all about highlighting the naturalness of materials,” the designer adds. 6 The design team wanted a look of “casual sophistication” in the master bedroom, and the blue-grey walls set the tone. The colour “combines beautifully with the rich dark-stained wood floor to create a calm, tranquil look,” says Mr. Patton, who picked up yellow accents here, too.