By Susan Kelly
Photography by Dan Molina
Moody decor schemes are having a moment, and in a showstopping four-bedroom lake house in the Clarkson area of Mississauga, a dark colour palette is employed with elegant effect. But being trendy was not the designers’ main motivation. “We design houses for people, not trends, while curating a tailored experience for them,” says Berit Bech, co-head of Stamp & Hammer, a bespoke architectural design studio based in Newmarket. “This home is a perfect fit for the homeowners, a couple of successful entrepreneurs whose glamorous, lavish lifestyle includes a passion for world travel.”
“WE DESIGN HOUSES FOR PEOPLE, NOT TRENDS, WHILE CURATING A TAILORED EXPERIENCE FOR THEM.”
Bech shares co-principal designer status with business partner Mitch Sauder. The duo, along with the youthful, dynamic team they lead, designed both the interior and exterior of the new-build project. “The homeowners had big dreams,” Sauder says. “Since they wanted something unique, this home stands out with its distinctive, angular, and edgy exterior architecture.” Fitting a long wish list into a relatively small lot did pose a challenge, he admits. But in the end, the team delivered a home with 3,730 square feet of sleekly sophisticated living space, including a finished basement.
To make the most of the prime lakeside location, the designers put the main floor living area and primary bedroom on the second floor, tucking three more bedrooms on the lower level. Huge, black-framed floor-grazing windows grace upper-level rooms, flooding them with light and opening onto a wraparound balcony. “We installed glass railings so there’s nothing to block the spectacular views of the lake and distant cityscape and did the same on the resort-worthy rooftop patio that has plenty of room for cocktails around the firepit,” Sauder notes.
Inside, it’s all about sophisticated, moody drama. Ebony-hued marble with striking white veining sourced in Portugal makes a sumptuously impactful statement in the kitchen, living areas and primary suite. To soften the look, wall paint and upholstery are in creamy neutral tones, and rich wood millwork and wide-plank hardwood flooring add an earthy, grounding element. “By orchestrating the different textures and materials to complement one another, the home appears both cozy and spacious at the same time,” Bech says. For a finishing flourish, custom furniture was commissioned in curved shapes to add an organic feel. Chandeliers and other accessories go unapologetically bold and glam in gleaming crystal and burnished gold.
Space for entertaining was a must-have and inspired the designers to create a unique feature: a swank cigar lounge in the basement. The homeowner can invite friends for a smoke and at the same time show off his prized luxury car collection, which includes a Lamborghini, thanks to a glass wall letting into the two-level garage, accessed by a car lift. Advanced systems vent both tobacco smoke and exhaust fumes, part of the technological sophistication that lies behind the house’s cool elegance.
The home beautifully typifies the Stamp & Hammer principals’ commitment to delivering enduring excellence and luxury. “As with every project, we were with them all the way,” Sauder says. “It’s part of our culture of collaboration. In the end, the clients loved it, and that is what is most rewarding for us.”
