Designed by Gowans Whitman Design and photographed by Jules Lee, this Toronto home is the result of a deeply personal collaboration between lifelong friends. Unfolding organically, this eclectic new build was guided more by intuition and connection than formal plans—proof that great design doesn’t always start with a tape measure. From design meetings with kids in tow to spontaneous sourcing sessions, every detail carries a story.
From Gowans Whitman Design…This project was a truly personal one—designed for my best friend of 15 years. From the beginning, it never really felt like work. Every design decision happened over coffee or while wrangling our combined six kids and two husbands, and sourcing was done side-by-side, which I never do with clients. That collaboration brought an extra layer of meaning to the process—this wasn’t just about creating a beautiful space, it was about shaping the backdrop of her family’s life, and by extension, mine too.
The process started with a set of drawings and a lot of resistance—she swore she never wanted to build a house. But eventually, her husband and I teamed up to work through the plans over the course of several months, slowly bringing the vision to life. The city permitting process wasn’t exactly smooth (two full rounds of submissions), but looking back, it gave us time to really hone in on the details.
I joke that she was my most difficult client—but only because she knows what she likes, and she’s not afraid to push back. In truth, so many of the best ideas in her home came from our shared obsession with beautiful spaces, her willingness to dig through unexpected corners of the design world, and the very different, intuitive process we followed together. We constantly joked about not using a single measuring tape the entire time—everything was just eyeballed and guessed in the moment, usually because we were in too much of a hurry to slow down. It made me wildly anxious… but somehow, it all worked out. Measured with love, right?
What makes this house special isn’t just the finishes or the layout—it’s the energy. It’s a home full of little kids, constant motion, and shared meals between families who’ve blended their lives. Getting to design that kind of space, for someone I love and with someone I love, was one of the most rewarding experiences of my career.
Discover the talent behind the story… Interior Design: Gowans Whitman Design · Photography: Jules Lee
