Glass Act
Maximising light is a common objective for many new-build homes, but few have succeeded as brilliantly as this super sleek house in Ontario, Canada.
Designed by Toronto-based Ancerl Studio, this substantial family residence is located on a sloping site overlooking the north shore of Kempenfelt Bay. The blank facade facing the street, designed to maximise privacy, may not give much away, but the lantern-like top floor offers a hint of the extraordinary lengths the designers went into in order to bring light into the building.
The back of the house is built almost entirely in steel and glass, opening up beautiful views of the dense woodland and the coast beyond. As soon as you enter the hallway your eyes are drawn to the living room with its extraordinary double-height glass wall, which slides open in (almost) its entirety as if no wall ever existed. Clearly a mere French door or two won't do here.
Glass is used to great effect throughout the house, not just to maximise light but also to create impressively sleek and seamless finishes. The fireplace in the living room is set into the glass wall with the flue outside. A glass elevator whisks you to the bedrooms on the upper floors. The master bedroom is accessed via a luxurious dressing room, complete with a glass fronted cabinet and an open fireplace with a glass ventilation flue. Afterall, why spoil the view from the glass wall with an ugly duct?
The layout, furnishings and finishes are of the highest standard. We love the unobtrusive sliding doors which hide the clutter of the open plan kitchen as well as the cozy breakfast nook, the mezzanine TV room with its casual vibe and the wealth of textures in the formal yet welcoming study. This thoughtfully designed house not only maximises light and views, but also creates a functional family home which feels grand and intimate at the same time. This, perhaps, is what discreet luxury truly means.
Links
Product Inspiration
Add a touch of class with glassy furniture such as the Vestige dining table from Sancal, the Linda side table from Collector and the Blink screen from Stellar Works.
Discrete table and floor lights are perfect for creating an intimate atmosphere in houses with tall ceilings. Try the Hoop table light from 101 Copenhagen, the Trio table light from Ghidini 1961 and the Black Note Triplet floor light from LZF.
Go for sculptural and minimalist accessories such as the Marshall ladder by Woak, the Alfa & Centauro sculptures from Agrippa and the Eslabon mirror from Nomon.
