5Historic·Home%
5Renovation%
5Historic·Home%
5Renovation%
Photo by Nat Caron Photography
Who doesn’t love to see a century home get rescued? Our client Lainy’s renovation of her 1800s home has entranced us on Instagram (@centuryhomedesigns). She chose our Rowlandson Blue mural for the inset panels of her historic dining room, because it reminded her of a beloved childhood mural. When we heard that, we had to learn more! Lainy was kind enough to sit down and share her story of her renovation journey, made with the help of talented designers at White House Designs.
For those who don't know, can you tell me a bit about your house? What made you decide to embark on this home renovation project?
We purchased our home in 2016. Looking back now, we often wonder what we were thinking! It had no curb appeal. It was built in 1879, but had long been covered in siding, some windows had been covered over, and the once beautiful porch had been removed. It lacked character, and the yard was overgrown. The inside had been stripped of most of the heritage details, and it was in sore need of updates to the kitchen and bathrooms. Our realtor had even disclosed that the house had been the filming location for a TV show about haunted houses! For whatever reason, we were not deterred but it’s hard to remember now why exactly we were taken with the place. I think the huge windows and natural light must have helped us to see some potential, and I remember hugging a particularly thick door casing and proclaiming that I loved the house. We still look at the listing photo of the house when we bought it and just shake our heads in disbelief – both that we were crazy enough to buy it, and that we were lucky enough to get such a gem after all.
Photo by Nat Caron Photography
For those who don't know, can you tell me a bit about your house? What made you decide to embark on this home renovation project?
We purchased our home in 2016. Looking back now, we often wonder what we were thinking! It had no curb appeal. It was built in 1879, but had long been covered in siding, some windows had been covered over, and the once beautiful porch had been removed. It lacked character, and the yard was overgrown. The inside had been stripped of most of the heritage details, and it was in sore need of updates to the kitchen and bathrooms. Our realtor had even disclosed that the house had been the filming location for a TV show about haunted houses! For whatever reason, we were not deterred but it’s hard to remember now why exactly we were taken with the place. I think the huge windows and natural light must have helped us to see some potential, and I remember hugging a particularly thick door casing and proclaiming that I loved the house. We still look at the listing photo of the house when we bought it and just shake our heads in disbelief – both that we were crazy enough to buy it, and that we were lucky enough to get such a gem after all.
My husband Dave is a contractor and worked in Toronto for many years on heritage buildings. Our first week here he discovered beautiful red brick under the siding, and unable to resist discovering what lay beneath, he peeled off the rest of the siding, and our exterior reno began way ahead of schedule. The bricks were restored, windows were added and reframed in period-appropriate trim, and the original front porch was replicated. We always knew we’d renovate the interior, but it was definitely liveable and we didn’t want to rush any decisions. I also had to wait for my husband to fit our project in amongst his paying clients. I finally joked and asked if he needed a deposit to fit me into his schedule! Demolition began in January of 2022, and the final touch, our Susan Harter mural, was installed in November, just in time for hosting our company Christmas party.
Photo by Nat Caron Photography
Were there any historic details you knew you wanted to preserve? Were there any elements you knew had to bring in?
Dave was a bit baffled at how the trim throughout the house didn’t seem to match, but also seemed to be mostly original. It was a real hodgepodge of styles. Through some research we found out that the original owner built the home himself, and also owned our town’s first planing mill and so we think that he likely just used whatever was leftover from other projects in his own house. We salvaged some of the nicer original door frames and window trim on the main floor and matched it throughout. The house is a bit of an anomaly as it is missing certain characteristics that grand houses of the time would have had (a second staircase to a servant area, interior window transoms, for example) but then also has very high ceilings and the first recorded tennis court in the area. This makes it hard to even know what may have been stripped away over the years, so we took some creative license in bringing in carefully sourced antiques and replicas to make it feel like important details were preserved. The double doors to the dining room had been replaced with modern doors, so we salvaged a beautiful set of pocket doors that even came with working original hardware. The stairs had some scroll detailing up the side that is typical in century homes in our area, so when we had to have the stairs rebuilt it was important to us to have that detail replicated, and we also used the original newel post. We salvaged a beautiful old coal fireplace insert and some antique floor grates to incorporate, and used replica push button switches for all of our lighting throughout the main floor. Other than that, we focused on making choices that help the house feel as timeless as possible.
Were there any historic details you knew you wanted to preserve? Were there any elements you knew had to bring in?
Dave was a bit baffled at how the trim throughout the house didn’t seem to match, but also seemed to be mostly original. It was a real hodgepodge of styles. Through some research we found out that the original owner built the home himself, and also owned our town’s first planing mill and so we think that he likely just used whatever was leftover from other projects in his own house. We salvaged some of the nicer original door frames and window trim on the main floor and matched it throughout. The house is a bit of an anomaly as it is missing certain characteristics that grand houses of the time would have had (a second staircase to a servant area, interior window transoms, for example) but then also has very high ceilings and the first recorded tennis court in the area. This makes it hard to even know what may have been stripped away over the years, so we took some creative license in bringing in carefully sourced antiques and replicas to make it feel like important details were preserved.
The double doors to the dining room had been replaced with modern doors, so we salvaged a beautiful set of pocket doors that even came with working original hardware. The stairs had some scroll detailing up the side that is typical in century homes in our area, so when we had to have the stairs rebuilt it was important to us to have that detail replicated, and we also used the original newel post. We salvaged a beautiful old coal fireplace insert and some antique floor grates to incorporate, and used replica push button switches for all of our lighting throughout the main floor. Other than that, we focused on making choices that help the house feel as timeless as possible.
What was your inspiration for your dining room design? What made you decide to go with a mural for that space?
Rowlandson Blue reminds me of a mural I admired many times at a National Historic Site where I grew up. Parkwood Estate was the home of General Motors of Canada founder R.S. McLaughlin, and it is full of commissioned art and murals, incredible architecture and has beautifully designed landscaping. I used to take tours every Christmas and every summer with my Mum, and my highschool prom was also held on the beautiful grounds. My favorite spots in the mansion have always been the breakfast room, and a grand hallway where there is a beautiful mural by Frederick Sproston Challener called “The Enchanted Wood”. In very muted pastels the mural shows a grove of Canadian birch trees with some of McLaughlin’s young grandchildren being read to. It is nostalgic and serene and full of joy. A pond in the background gives the scene the same sense of romance that I get when viewing my own mural with its sweet little foot bridge. I knew it was the perfect backdrop for my own dining room – my own little piece of Parkwood. In my home I am drawn to design, decor, and art pieces that are meaningful to me. I choose based on what speaks to me, evokes happy memories, and good feelings. This isn’t just a decoration in my dining room; it means something to me and that makes me happy every time I see it.
Photo by Nat Caron Photography
What was your inspiration for your dining room design? What made you decide to go with a mural for that space?
Photo by Nat Caron Photography
Rowlandson Blue reminds me of a mural I admired many times at a National Historic Site where I grew up. Parkwood Estate was the home of General Motors of Canada founder R.S. McLaughlin, and it is full of commissioned art and murals, incredible architecture and has beautifully designed landscaping. I used to take tours every Christmas and every summer with my Mum, and my highschool prom was also held on the beautiful grounds. My favorite spots in the mansion have always been the breakfast room, and a grand hallway where there is a beautiful mural by Frederick Sproston Challener called “The Enchanted Wood”. In very muted pastels the mural shows a grove of Canadian birch trees with some of McLaughlin’s young grandchildren being read to. It is nostalgic and serene and full of joy. A pond in the background gives the scene the same sense of romance that I get when viewing my own mural with its sweet little footbridge.
I knew it was the perfect backdrop for my own dining room – my own little piece of Parkwood. In my home I am drawn to design, decor, and art pieces that are meaningful to me. I choose based on what speaks to me, evokes happy memories, and good feelings. This isn’t just a decoration in my dining room; it means something to me and that makes me happy every time I see it.
"We focused on making choices that help the house feel as timeless as possible."
Photo by Nat Caron Photography
Photo by Nat Caron Photography
How do you use your dining room? Any favorite moments you'd like to share?
I count myself very lucky that my small but busy family of three sits down to have dinner together most nights at our dining room table. With a 16-year old son we are aware that all too soon there will only be two of us most nights, and I worried that a table that would fit the size of the room would feel too big and too empty. Luckily, I found an antique table and chair set that was exactly what I was picturing for our space. It seats six for everyday living, but has 3 big leaves to expand to seat twelve for larger gatherings. It’s already been the perfect spot for some big holiday dinners with family and friends, a buffet space for parties, and is a favorite space to work on puzzles in the winter months. We are so truly grateful for the opportunity to restore this house, and we look forward to many more years of making memories here and being her caretakers.
What was your favorite part of or story from working with White House Designs?
I loved every moment of working with Anne. I first heard of White House Designs in a local magazine publication called Our Homes that featured another century home project they had completed. I reached out immediately for a consultation and I knew from our first phone call that Anne was perfect for us; she was completely supportive of our goal of updating the home with timeless materials and design that would respect the home’s heritage. I felt confident in many parts of our renovation plan, but I also knew my limits and I knew I needed her
help for a project of this scale. I recommend that anyone renovating their own space hire a designer. I think there is such a thing as being too close to a project, and outside ideas are so valuable. I am forever grateful to Anne for our beautiful kitchen and bathroom designs. She took my wishlist and absolutely knocked it out of the park. For our dining room, I was set on having a Rowlandson Blue mural, a big antique dining set, and a beautiful chandelier. Anne allowed me the freedom to make these choices and helped me elevate the space with a beautiful fabric she chose to recover the dining chairs and some beautiful new custom drapes to tie it all together. She also chose to carry the panel molding into the library, sitting room, and foyer and I loved that idea and how it ties everything together. When the kitchen drawings were pulling a bit too modern, Anne suggested finding an antique piece to create a built-in, and we all had a good laugh when I pulled up a screenshot of a piece I’d already found on facebook Marketplace for exactly this purpose. There were so many moments like these where we just felt so much on the same page. We felt like a team, and she was a dream to work with.
How do you use your dining room?
Any favorite moments you'd like to share?
I count myself very lucky that my small but busy family of three sits down to have dinner together most nights at our dining room table. With a 16-year old son we are aware that all too soon there will only be two of us most nights, and I worried that a table that would fit the size of the room would feel too big and too empty. Luckily, I found an antique table and chair set that was exactly what I was picturing for our space. It seats six for everyday living, but has 3 big leaves to expand to seat twelve for larger gatherings. It’s already been the perfect spot for some big holiday dinners with family and friends, a buffet space for parties, and is a favorite space to work on puzzles in the winter months. We are so truly grateful for the opportunity to restore this house, and we look forward to many more years of making memories here and being her caretakers.
What was your favorite part of or story from working
with White House Designs?
I loved every moment of working with Anne. I first heard of White House Designs in a local magazine publication called Our Homes that featured another century home project they had completed. I reached out immediately for a consultation and I knew from our first phone call that Anne was perfect for us; she was completely supportive of our goal of updating the home with timeless materials and design that would respect the home’s heritage. I felt confident in many parts of our renovation plan, but I also knew my limits and I knew I needed her help for a project of this scale. I recommend that anyone renovating their own space hire a designer. I think there is such a thing as being too close to a project, and outside ideas are so valuable. I am forever grateful to Anne for our beautiful kitchen and bathroom designs. She took my wishlist and absolutely knocked it out of the park. For our dining room, I was set on having a Rowlandson Blue mural, a big antique dining set, and a beautiful chandelier. Anne allowed me the freedom to make these choices and helped me elevate the space with a beautiful fabric she chose to recover the dining chairs and some beautiful new custom drapes to tie it all together. She also chose to carry the panel molding into the library, sitting room, and foyer and I loved that idea and how it ties everything together. When the kitchen drawings were pulling a bit too modern, Anne suggested finding an antique piece to create a built-in, and we all had a good laugh when I pulled up a screenshot of a piece I’d already found on facebook Marketplace for exactly this purpose. There were so many moments like these where we just felt so much on the same page. We felt like a team, and she was a dream to work with.
About the Mural
Scenic: Rowlandson | Colorway: Blue
