Sprawling views, quiet luxury, and rescued animals make this farmhouse a true sanctuary.
Picture this: A magnificent farmhouse perched on a sprawling property in Ontario’s countryside complete with a negative-edge pool overlooking a serene natural landscape. This home features wall-to-wall windows and the perfect balance between elegant and rustic interiors.
Believe it or not, this place, which epitomizes tranquility and quiet luxury, actually exists. Lorne Rose Architect and Nazem Rose Design brought this little slice of heaven to life.
“This unique farmhouse perfectly blends classic and contemporary design,” said Toronto architects Lorne Rose and Sarvenaz Nazem. “Its charm is undeniable.”
When the architect and interior designer were first approached to build and furnish a luxurious farmhouse on 100 acres outside Toronto, they knew the project was going to be special.
After an intense search, their clients had secured the perfect property with plenty of privacy, spectacular views and more than enough space to raise their two teenage sons, as well as their growing gang of adopted pets. The family had been on a years-long mission to rescue as many old or injured horses and chickens as they could, and they finally found the ideal spot to relocate them (as well as the beloved donkey they picked up along the way).
The magnificent home, carefully crafted by Rose and Nazem, was built with all the hallmarks of a modern farmhouse in mind. The barn-like structure boasts pitched roofs, imposing stone archways, stylish window shutters, plaster-looking wall finishes, aged and brushed brass finishes and exposed reclaimed wood beams. It has all the endearing elements of a quaint country house with striking contemporary components such as ultra-high ceilings in the great room and dining room, and large windows facing the breathtaking landscape.
The design of the great room presented the most significant challenge. The two-storey pitched ceiling was a particular concern for the client, as she was worried it might feel disproportionate and out of scale. Nazem successfully transformed the two-storey space into a comfortable and livable family room for the client. She aimed to create a cozy space that was both timeless and tasteful, yet reflected the client’s laid-back aesthetic.
“I had envisioned the house in its finished state before I even started drawing it up,” said Nazem. “I paired soft textures like rattan inlays on closet doors, organic linens for seatings and pillows to counterbalance the harshness of the natural finishes.”
The clients sought a seamless transition from the outside-in, as well as unobstructed views of their property from every room in the house. To accommodate this desire, Rose and Nazem created an expansive front foyer, along with large archways throughout the long hallway of the main floor to add dimension and scale to the space.
Nazem decorated the entryway with a herringbone brick floor, as well as a set of antique wood doors to the powder room and walk-in closet. She added inviting window benches in each window nook to make several seating areas for anyone wishing to take in the lush views of rolling hills during the daytime and stunning sunsets in the evening.
“The views here were the genesis of the design. Our job was to frame them in a way that perfectly married the inside and outside of the home,” explained Rose. “You pass through thick stone arches on the inside from the foyer to the great room, and from the principal sitting room to the bedroom, just as you do when you walk from the inside to the outside.”
“The natural beauty of the property was undeniable and the idea of capturing this serene beauty through each window frame was the goal,” Nazem said. “Simplicity was the key; we wanted the plaster-looking wall finish and minimal trimmed archways, doorways and windows to achieve a timeless modern farmhouse interior with a unique character.”
Aside from the great family room, which features an oversized wood-burning fireplace, bordered by stone archways, the focal point of the home is undoubtedly the kitchen. Beautifully detailed woodwork, on the ceiling above the dining area, frames a custom-designed wrought-iron skylight, allowing natural sunlight to spill seamlessly into the room.
To add even more warmth to the kitchen, Nazem had the millwork painted in soft earth tones and paired it with leathered marble countertops and antique brass hardware and plumbing fixtures. The outdoor stone was paired with the leathered marble on the backsplashes to create a sense of harmony. The kitchen also features a bespoke wine cellar with rustic stone flooring, plus black iron and glass doors.
The kitchen and dining area is separated by two symmetrical cabinets composed of reclaimed wood and wrought iron glass doors…becoming the ideal vessel to display the client’s impressive collection of artisanal pottery and antique dinnerware. The dining room’s higher ceiling height, as well as top-to-bottom glazing on three sides, gives the indoor space a peaceful and bright outdoor feel. The custom wood table and simple slip-covered linen dining chairs effortlessly match the simplicity and elegance of the space.
Other highlights of the home include: a mud room with a dog washing and grooming area, a flower-cutting alcove, a second kitchen complete with a “Costco” room for storage and canning, a golf simulator room, a music room, a gym and a home theatre.
“One of my favourite views is off the driveway,” Rose pointed out. “There is a small gateway arch leading to the garden. The framing of the view is poetic.”
Founded by architects Lorne Rose and Sarvenaz Nazem, NRD crafts bespoke homes that blend refined design, luxury, and personalized service. www.nazemrose.com