A Masterpiece in Minimalism
Story by Karen Tinsley
Photography by Jesse Durocher
It’s been said that minimalism is about living simply, meaningfully and intentionally—in clean, uncluttered spaces. This stunning new Windsor home ticks all the boxes.
Known as the “father of minimalism”, German architect Mies van der Rohe’s style is regarded as one of the most sought-after design genres. Mies coined the famous term “less is more” which could be considered the minimalist motto.
Most of us are familiar with the concept. Characterized by monochromatic palettes using colour as an accent, minimalism usually combines an open floor plan, lots of light and functional furniture. Another “minimalist motto” could be “function over form”.
Flat, smooth surfaces and strong, clean lines create bold statements that emphasize the essential nature of each item. You won’t find highly patterned furnishings and accessories or highly detailed ornamentation. Instead, the focus is on purity and simplicity.
While you might be surprised to learn that today’s typical home contains 300,000 (or more) items, you likely wouldn’t be too surprised that the average person spends 12 days each and every year searching for stuff they can’t find!
The fact that people are gravitating to more uncluttered, uplifting home environments is also not surprising, considering the chaos and uncertainty of the past few years.
Once a Windsor professional couple was ready to embark on building the minimalist home of their dreams, they engaged local design firm Urban Home to guide and advise them. Upgrading from their existing smaller home, this couple’s dream also entailed acquiring brand new furniture, fixtures, appliances, artwork and accessories for the new build.
Urban Home proprietor Jodi Mason says, “We were mindful of balancing three things: quality, aesthetics and price points.”
No mean feat since the pandemic has dramatically affected the interior design supply chain.
Rollercoaster. Broken. Moving Target. These are the words a recent panel of manufacturers used to describe the havoc the pandemic continues to wreak in the industry. And while breaking the news to a client that they can’t get a sofa for six months (or more) is not a fun conversation for anyone, that’s only part of the problem.
The issue is multi-faceted and includes raw materials, logistics, and labour shortages.
Furniture, paint, flooring, appliance and décor prices have risen dramatically. The days of huge selection and varying price points appear to be over—at least for the foreseeable future.
Delivery lead times can be extremely frustrating. Delays and shortages are now the rule rather than the exception. For many people, building, renovating or redecorating has created a perfect storm for compromising or “settling”.
Mason says, “Our client believed in and trusted the process. Their patience never wavered; they were willing to wait for the perfect pieces.” One example: the pink cockatiel wall art above the sleek, curvy white plush loveseat topped with a soft, shaggy champagne pink pillow.
Instantly recognizable for their crisp, clean, clutter-free monochromatic look, minimalist spaces can sometimes lack soul. Where some might see “severe”, minimalists see “sleek”. Where some might think “boring”, minimalists are thinking “bold”.
The homeowners infused their new sanctuary with life by incorporating a wide array of textiles and textures. Velvet remains a popular furniture fabric choice—not only is it luxurious but it’s also aesthetically pleasing and comes in a rainbow of bold and neutral colours. In this home, forest green velvet dining chairs add a splash of uniqueness—one part modern, one part cozy. Just one example of warming up the room while staying true to minimalist style principles.
This home’s all white colour palette (a mainstay of modern minimalism) invigorates its spaces with possibility. Like a deep breath of fresh air, white brings sun-bleached Mediterranean fishing villages and wedding dresses to mind. It holds promise and evokes feelings of new beginnings. It’s the height of sophistication in interior design, and it never goes out of style. But to keep it from feeling too stark and clinical, the homeowners chose bold art pieces and let them dominate.
Art can transform even the plainest of rooms into fascinating expressions of individual style and personality—like the pair of rose-hued abstract canvases creating vibrant visual interest in the living room.
Accessories offer delightful opportunities to give rooms a “surprise”. The exquisite geometric glass and brass pendant fixtures over the kitchen island combine form and function—another minimalism hallmark.
Powerful tactile statement pieces—like the driftwood coffee table and animal skin rug—add contrast, pops of whimsy and nature-inspired elements. The surround of the modern fireplace was kept streamlined. The brilliant sculptural wall treatment over the L-shaped sofa is luxe and elegant.
The dynamic “hello” wall graphic above a warm chocolate brown sofa anchors the space, creating a friendly ambience. Impressionist-inspired accent cushions add contrast while keeping things fun and fresh.
The pandemic has changed life in so many ways, but especially how we live in our homes. Our homes have not only evolved into workplaces, but exercise studios and classrooms. As a result, the interior décor industry has had to adapt in creative ways.
In 2018, most homeowners, real estate agents and interior designers would have agreed that “open concept” design was here to stay. And while open floor plans haven’t completely fallen off the radar, they’re no longer as popular. People still want big kitchens that open onto dining rooms or family rooms—but home offices, outdoor living spaces and “Zoom rooms” are now the big wish list items. And while some people have returned to their regular workplaces—at least part of the time—many of us continue to work from home. This
“hybrid” may well be “the new normal”.
This masterpiece of minimalism promotes peace, wellbeing, comfort and refuge. And it’s most definitely where the homeowners’ hearts are!
Windsor Life Magazine is always searching for interesting homes, landscaping, gardens, patios and water features to show our readers what others in the community are doing with their living spaces. If you have a home that you feel would be interesting please email photos to info@windsorlife.com. Photos need to be for reference only. If your home is chosen we will arrange for a complete photo shoot. If you wish, you may remain anonymous and the location of your home will not be disclosed.
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