Rumsey Residence
“A young family lives here and the original layout of closed-off rooms wasn’t conducive to how they used the space,” she says. Zoe and her team reconfigured the first floor by opening up the entry hallway, adding an island to the kitchen and removing a wall between the living and dining rooms. The new open-plan made the 2,200 sq-ft home seem even bigger. “It had more flow and it maximized the exposure to natural light,” says Zoe. “It also allowed the common areas to become an open social space that’s suited to the energy and back and forth of family life.”
The design relied on natural materials, including white oak, travertine and marble, along with bespoke finishes to achieve the look. “I chose this mix of elements to makes the house feel more modern, but also cozy,” Zoe says.
The new floor plan’s expansive feel influenced the décor. “I wanted to capture a bright but welcoming style and was inspired by the warmth of Scandinavian interiors,” Zoe says. “The rooms often look minimal but always inviting, like you can imagine living in them.”
A fluted white-oak island anchors the kitchen and echoes the treatment of the living room walls for subtle design continuity. the finish extends itself to the ribbed fronts of the kitchen cabinet doors. The soft ivory palette and clean-lined cabinetry amp up the airiness. Finishes, from the backsplash tiles to the smooth countertops, are texturally balanced. There are fun items, too. “I chose a whimsical pendant light, brushed-brass hardware and a sculptural faucet to introduce a bit of contemporary glam to the neutral space,” says Zoe.
In the living room, vertical white-oak paneling and custom built-ins frame a contemporary, sculptural fireplace. Its dramatic lines are softened by armchairs that invite lingering. The room’s neutral palette is echoed in the abstract artwork which enlivens without being distracting. Zoe says, “Every element in this room, from the layered muted tones to the mix of natural textures, contributes to its cohesive feel and palette.” And it’s not just form at play, as function is incorporated in the open and closed storage offered by the cabinetry.
Throughout the house, there are visual treatments that pop, amongst the neutral scheme, including patterned wallpaper in the children’s rooms, textured paint finishes in the ensuite bathroom, dramatically veined marble accents and an original stained-glass window in the entry that was preserved as a nod to the home’s traditional provenance.
“I think this house is atmospheric without being grandiose,” says Zoe. “It evokes that Scandinavian calmness and, through natural textures, muted tones and curated details, that connection that speaks to everyday family living in an elevated way”
Frequently Asked Questions
The most significant transformation was reconfiguring the first floor from a series of closed-off rooms into a cohesive open-plan layout. By opening the entry hallway, adding a kitchen island, and removing the wall between the living and dining rooms, the home gained flow, natural light, and a sense of spaciousness that completely changed how the 2,200-square-foot residence feels and functions.
The origami-inspired stone fireplace in the living room. It is sculptural, architectural, and functional at the same time—serving as a strong focal point while anchoring the space and elevating it artistically.
The new open plan transformed the home into a true social hub. The family can now move freely between cooking, dining, and relaxing, with shared spaces that support the natural energy, interaction, and back-and-forth of everyday family life.
The design was inspired by Scandinavian interiors—bright, calm, warm, and minimal without feeling cold. The goal was to create spaces that feel airy and modern, yet deeply inviting and livable.
Through a balance of restraint and personality. Neutral palettes were layered with tactile materials, curated details, playful lighting, children’s room wallpapers, and preserved elements like the stained-glass entry window, which reflects both family life and the home’s traditional roots.
By being intentional about where to invest and where to save. We splurged selectively on impactful elements—such as textured wallpapers, sculptural features, and hardware—while using inventive solutions like double-layer melamine for grooved millwork, painted cabinetry for a bespoke look, and textured paint finishes instead of more expensive materials.
Delivering a truly custom, high-end aesthetic within a defined $230,000 renovation budget. Solving that puzzle through creative material choices and smart detailing was both challenging and rewarding.
They were thrilled. The home felt larger, brighter, and more reflective of how they live as a family—elevated, yet comfortable and welcoming.
Yes. GRANDS PRIX DU DESIGN 18th edition and IDA design awards 2025.
Yes. We continue to design residences that focus on thoughtful layouts, natural materials, and strategic budgeting - creating warm, modern homes that balance everyday living with refined design.
Live beautifully.
Work brilliantly.
Dexign Matter is an independent creative interior design studio based in Toronto.