HOMES
IT TAKES TWO Style at Home contributors Karl Lohnes and Peter Paquette collaborate on a reboot of a traditional Toronto home. TEXT BETHANY LYTTLE PHOTOGRAPHY PATRICK BILLER
A
“
t this point in my career, it’s absolutely invigorating to learn from the new generation of designers coming up,” says Style at Home’s Karl Lohnes. “And that’s one reason why I invited my colleague Peter Paquette of 1982 Design to take the lead on this project.” Their clients, a family of four, loved their neighbourhood and the 1920s home they’d lived in for many years, so moving wasn’t an option. However, their stylish, relaxed energy wasn’t reflected in the home, which was weighed down by a plethora of shiny brass, traditional millwork and
80 |
STYLEATHOME.COM JUNE 2022
dated floors. “We abandoned all that for a masculine look with a touch of hotel chic,” says Karl. Peter agrees: “It’s like a modern hotel lobby. We used different styles of furniture and a lot of textural and printed fabrics to give it a collected look that’s approachable and warm.” As the project unfolded, it was clear that certain elements had to go, such as rather odd interior Grecian columns, while other features like the signature leopard stair runner deserved a bold debut. And the redo didn’t stop there. The main bedroom was graced with a sexy dressing room, and the living room is now steps from a full-service bar. “In other words,” says Karl, “you can definitely say this house puts the ‘fun’ in function.”
