By Julie Gedeon
Photography by Kenesha Lewis and Larry Arnal
When people walk into Newmarket-based design firm ADM Design’s model home, it has a tendency to take their breath away. With towering sculptural wall features, statement-making lighting fixtures and luxurious finishes, it’s a space that features the latest design innovations and trends. Founder and lead designer Andrea McMullen and her team focused on what’s new and what’s next during the renovation of the gutted three-storey house overlooking Friday Harbour. “This project gave us the opportunity to create our full vision,” McMullen says. “The whole idea is to show clients what’s possible.”
A wide array of opulent textures characterizes the home, starting with Cosentino stone integrated into the soaring 22-foot-tall fireplace surround. “We added three arches to the design we originally featured at our Living Luxe booth a year ago to fully define this space,” McMullen says. With a striking contrast of black and cream, the arches emphasize just how spectacular the space truly is. Overhead, a billowy cluster of pendant light fixtures from Studio M become art installations, gradating upwards from the dining area to mimic birds in flight as they draw a visitor’s eye to the full height of the fireplace and illuminate the space with a moody glow.
ADM Design wanted to show how the firm could put its spin on the popular fluting trend, so the designers used a new fluted stone on the fireplace base and added a thicker asymmetrical fluting to the entryway cubby and the kitchen cabinetry.
Throughout the home, Mid-century Modern furniture infuses the space with the liveable quality that is at the core of all ADM projects. A curved gold sofa, a two-level coffee table with round wooden legs and a spacious dining area establish a sense of laid-back luxury.
Upstairs, the second floor’s stretch ceiling is as unexpected as it is stunning. AV Style turned the matte black typically used in home theatres into a veritable starry night with bands of twinkling LED lights. “Stretch ceilings make wiring a home with smart technology easier,” McMullen says.
Looking out at the open floor plan living space below, the second floor’s mezzanine is the ideal place to unwind at day’s end. “We call it the ‘sunset lounge’ because of the way the sun colourfully beams through the wide expanse of windows,” McMullen says. Instead of paint, a linen-like wallpaper softly textures the walls, while massive 20-foot sheers from the main to the second floor add finesse without obscuring the natural light.
A concealed door within the sunset lounge opens to the third-storey penthouse with its own complete living space, including a second kitchen. The pendant lighting within the stairwell is carefully positioned to cast a special glow on the artwork adorning the walls for an intimate gallery experience as visitors ascend to this private hideaway. “I believe that every homeowner should invest in at least one original piece of artwork to start,” McMullen says. “Most of the art is original and includes the fun Gucci football and Gucci toaster depicted by local artist James Mandeville.”
In the penthouse’s ensuite bathroom, a plethora of stone, double shower heads, double water closets and a fluted freestanding tub in front of a floor-to-ceiling window make for a spacious spa-like oasis. Tulip-shaped asymmetrical sink basins, a set of amorphously shaped mirrors and French gold hardware infuse a taste of the designer’s personality. “We turned three bedrooms and three bathrooms into this penthouse suite to have all this wonderful living, storage and bathroom space,” McMullen says. “We feel strongly about designing a home to use all of its space specifically for you to best live in it.”
From an oversized custom-designed peony-wallpapered powder room to a crisscrossing chain light fixture hanging over the tub, ADM’s model home showcases the design team’s eye for going bold and embracing innovation. “We always look at the best elements of past, current and upcoming design to determine what’s ideally functional or aesthetically pleasing so that we can reimagine those aspects into something new and exciting that will stand the test of time,” McMullen says.
Those interested in visiting the project should email info@admdesign.ca.