Modernized
Why live in the past? Designer Jessica McGouran brings a fresh sensibility to a new-build by marrying the best of yesterday and today.
is always exhilarating, yet not without its challenges. When Lucas Samuels and Jillian Barreca bought their new-build in Toronto’s Little Portugal neighbourhood, they needed new furniture and didn’t want to make any design mistakes. Liking the work of Jessica McGouran (who had decorated Lucas’s brother’s home), the couple hired the designer to help them get their blank-canvas interiors just right.
“The home’s finishes are very contemporary, so I wanted to inject some personality into the space,” says Jessica. “Lucas and Jillian really love mid-century design so my challenge was to bridge that vibe with the modern setting.”
Save for one small reno (an upstairs den and small third bedroom were combined to create a larger family room), this was mainly a decorating job. Jessica relied on furniture that was mostly neutral and similar in design for overall continuity, then she peppered rooms with colourful accessories and arresting geometric shapes to make each space feel unique. Says Jessica: “It’s a fresh take on mid-century design that’s contemporary, playful and very reflective of the young couple who lives here.”