Créme de la créme

From its cobbled stone and shingle exterior to its rich, antique-filled interior, this house evokes the essence of traditional European style

An exterior view of the entire pool and cottage, estate, farmhouse, historic house, home, house, landscape, landscaping, mansion, neighbourhood, outdoor structure, plant, property, real estate, residential area, roof, siding, suburb, tree, window, black — An exterior view of the entire pool and patio area, many plants.

An exterior view of the house. - An cottage, elevation, estate, facade, farmhouse, historic house, home, house, landscape, landscaping, lawn, lighting, mansion, property, real estate, residential area, roof, siding, sky, suburb, window, yard, black

A view of the games rooms, tiled billiard room, billiard table, ceiling, floor, flooring, furniture, hardwood, interior design, pool, recreation room, room, table, wood, black

A view of the master bedroom, brown carpet, bed, bed frame, bedroom, ceiling, floor, flooring, furniture, home, interior design, room, wall, window, window treatment, brown

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A view of the study wooden walls, fireplace furniture, home, interior design, living room, room, wood, black

A view of the dining room wooden flooring ceiling, decor, dining room, furniture, home, interior design, living room, room, table, window, brown, gray

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A view of the wine cellar, wooden cellars home, interior design, living room, room, black

A view of the kitchen area, wooden flooring cabinetry, ceiling, countertop, cuisine classique, flooring, hardwood, home, interior design, kitchen, room, wood, wood flooring, brown, gray

A view of the family area, wooden flooring, dining room, home, interior design, living room, room, gray, black, brown

Finding the perfect house in the right location is a rare occurrence. When you're looking to buy, you are much more likely to have to compromise on some detail be it minor or major.

When Rod and Linda Windley bought this nearly new property, the traditionally styled house was almost exactly what they wanted, but the interior was not to their taste.

Interior designer Bill Cook of Vermilion Designs says the proportions of the house are very grand, but the color palette did not reflect his clients' preferences.

"There were a lot of cooler, taupe tones and dark colors that didn't reflect the personalities of the new owners," he says.

Consequently, a decision was made to refurbish the entire house, enhancing its European character with a warm, gold color palette, luxurious furnishings and antiques.

Cook says the distinct French flavor of the house is captured in the formal entrance hall.

"We wanted to make a grand entry statement," he says. "Placing a Louis XVI-style table in the center of the space creates a French salon look. The effect is heightened by the large, gilded urn and evergreen topiary."

The warm gold tones follow through to the formal living room beyond. Here, antique furniture is paired with luxurious furnishings, including silk taffeta drapes.

"We wanted something very dramatic and theatrical for this double-height space," says Cook. "The drapes are edged with a complementary fabric featuring a velvet, Faberge egg-style, lattice pattern."

A large sofa is upholstered in bronze velvet, and two Louis XVI-style chairs feature silk damask in gold and bronze.

Cook says the original mantel was replaced with a grander, more imposing fireplace that better suited the proportions of the room. Decorative niches either side are lined with a wallpaper featuring a traditional French trellis pattern.

Such attention to detail is indicative of the designer's work and reflects the importance he places on accessories.

"The effect cannot be underestimated," he says. "Accessories can make or break a good design. It is also important to see it through to ensure that every element within the room works within the overall design concept."

For the kitchen and family rooms, Cook chose to reinforce the informal French country feeling evoked by the wood cabinetry and large, cobblestone fireplace.

A view of a living area, wooden flooring, furniture, hearth, home, interior design, living room, room, window, brown — A view of a living area, wooden flooring, yellow walls, many pieces of antique furniture, artwork, fireplace, French windows and doors.

"These spaces are more of a reflection of the house exterior, with its weathered shingles and stone. We have introduced floral linen fabrics and French country antiques, including a primitive country coffee table. This was also an ideal place to display the owners' collection of English and French majolica ware."

Slightly darker tones were specified for the study and billiard rooms. Here, the attention to detail extends to the ceiling treatment. The heavily beamed ceiling in the study features an Edwardian-style wallpaper, which enhances the more subdued furnishings, and helps pull the room together visually. The wallpaper on the ceiling in the billiard room creates the look of a coffered ceiling. With its warm, red tones, rich furnishings and antique leather armchairs, this room is reminiscent of a traditional English study.

The wine cellar is another room that reflects the owners' love of antiques, and also their passion for collecting fine wine. Cook has assembled a collection of antique bottles and wine-making equipment. The tasting table was made from an old stand that once supported wine barrels.

Sumptuous furnishings are not restricted to the formal living areas the master bedroom features an ornate damask wallpaper, bronze silk taffeta drapes and an embroidered silk bedspread.

"It reflects the owners' desire to re-create the look of some of the grand hotels in Italy," says Cook.

The Italian influence extends outdoors, where a new loggia creates a sheltered seating area. Introducing traditional statuary to the garden enhances its quiet, reflective mood.