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Or sign-in if you have an account.The sleek, low-key foyer has white oak panelling, a charcoal door and lots of light. Photo by Larry ArnalWe independently select everything we recommend. Buying through us may earn us a commission, which supports our work.The homeowners’ hopes for this modern Etobicoke house were surprisingly modest. “(They) told us right from the start that they wanted a home that was beautiful but not necessarily grand or intimidating,” recalls principal designer Goli Basiri, who with Kia Kazemian, her partner at Harmen Design, oversaw the interiors. “They wanted it to be contemporary in styling but also warm and homey in its bones.” Enjoy the latest local, national and international news.Exclusive articles by Conrad Black, Barbara Kay and others. Plus, special edition NP Platformed and First Reading newsletters and virtual events.Unlimited online access to National Post.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.Support local journalism.Enjoy the latest local, national and international news.Exclusive articles by Conrad Black, Barbara Kay and others. Plus, special edition NP Platformed and First Reading newsletters and virtual events.Unlimited online access to National Post.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.Support local journalism.Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one account.Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite authors.Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one accountShare your thoughts and join the conversation in the commentsEnjoy additional articles per monthGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorThat notion is most evocative on the exterior, where a shallow pitched roof recalls a classic mid-fifties ranch, updated with generous glazing and a clean, modern material palette. Artful touches in the powder room include nubbly terrazzo walls and a handcrafted stone sink. Photo by Larry ArnalInside, a warm, accessible feel comes from the refined material palette. It’s most apparent in the foyer, where creamy white walls, warm white oak panelling and a smart-looking, charcoal, fluted-oak front door are awash in sunlight. The centrepiece of this bright space is the staircase. While it’s not a simple construction, curving up through three landings to the top floor, it’s as serene and unfussy as the rest of the room. Simple open risers clad in white oak and glass guards give it a solid but surprisingly transparent feeling. It’s lit, as is the entire foyer, by abundant glazing from multiple directions: a huge skylight in the roof some 24 feet above; a triple bank of windows facing an interior courtyard in the centre of the house; and, past an open mezzanine railing, a giant picture window in the front of the house perfectly framing a mature maple tree on the lawn. An impressive slab of Patagonia marble is the backdrop for the family TV, while coffee tables shaped like giant river stones are a counterpoint to all the straight lines. Photo by Larry ArnalIn place of standard millwork, walls and doorways are finished with grooved reveals and slim, recessed wooden casings; pocket doors reduce hardware to the bare minimum. (Even the staircase hides its riser pins inside white oak caps on the outside of the glass guards.) But the designers still had fun. One artful flourish is the small jewel of a powder room just off the vestibule. “Powder rooms are where a lot of designers like to show off a bit,” Basiri laughs. In this one, seamless swaths of terrazzo clad the walls, while a handcrafted concrete cube forms the sink; meticulously arranged “pebbles” radiate outwards from the centre. In the kitchen, the subtle grain of white oak cabinetry echoes the lines of the fluted outer panels. Cognac leather chairs are a comfortable and practical choice for the young family. Photo by Larry ArnalIn the living room, the backdrop of a giant slab of delicately patterned Invisible Grey marble — the same kind used in the foyer — turns the family TV into framed art atop wall-to-wall fluted white oak. The rest of the room is furnished not just for style, but for comfort and kid-friendliness. There’s a pair of curvaceous, softly upholstered Montauk sofas; two low, blob-shaped centre tables, eye-catching and also pointy-corner-free; and, underfoot, a colourful, deep-pile rug. Generous windows give the primary suite a treehouse feeling, while the slant of the eaves adds an almost cottagey cosiness. Photo by Larry ArnalThe kitchen takes the same easy approach to family living. The pure white quartz counters and backsplash are indestructible, and their clean, uninflected white surfaces are a simple visual pleasure. Basiri adds that the cognac leather stools at the island weren’t just chosen for looks — they stand up to wriggling toddlers and clean up with the swipe of a cloth. Upstairs, the primary suite is made cozy by sheltered views through expansive floor-to-ceiling windows. There’s so much window in this room, in fact, that it feels open to the treelined streetscape outside. (An app controls the blinds.) Another big slab of patterned porcelain makes a dramatic statement in the ensuite, alongside slim sconces and wall-mounted faucets. Photo by Larry ArnalAs a crisp contrast to the honey tones of white oak throughout the home, charcoal accents are grounding and add a touch of masculinity to the design. In the primary ensuite, a showpiece slab of near-black porcelain delicately etched with white veining clads the vanity, while slim-lined vertical sconces, streamlined mirrors and wall-mounted faucets are purposely kept low-key. “What I love about this house is it doesn’t try too hard to impress,” Basiri says. “Every decision was made in favour of the family, their lives and their tastes. It’s clean, but it’s not cold. Everything about it just feels right.” Join the Conversation This website uses cookies to personalize your content (including ads), and allows us to analyze our traffic. Read more about cookies here. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.