Known for bringing an edge to her laid back style, designer, Jodie Owen, created a cool and causal space to entertain in this Toronto home. Custom furnishings and bold artwork create dynamic movement, while the neutral palette creates a calming effect. Want to see just how she did it? Keep scrolling to find out!

From the designer… Although the great room in this custom home already had a beautiful backdrop to begin with, the homeowners were ready for a complete makeover. It had been 12 years since the initial design, and the style leaned more traditional with heavy fabrics and furniture. The client described the room as “well used”. With three teenage boys, two golden retrievers and a Covid isolation period, it was time to introduce modern, airy and organic elements to this space. She wanted that California casual vibe with lots of texture.

To me, California Casual means soft neutrals, tone on tone, injections of warmth and keeping things airy. Combined altogether it exudes a sense of liveable luxury. My motto for this project was – make it simple but significant. The best part was I was given a completely blank canvas to work with.

My clients love to host guests, so two large bench seat sofas were selected in an off-white performance fabric. The custom armchairs which are a mix of rich brown velvet and white oak, are down-filled for that sink-in seating. Add in double ottomans and you’ve got a ton of room for entertaining. A muted, charcoal wool rug helps ground the space, while being a friendly choice for their puppies.

We are always looking to add a little edge to the spaces we design. It’s one of best ways to make a neutral space stand out. So, we decided to add lots of movement throughout the room to give the eye both a visual path, and a soft place to land. The curves on the ottomans and the bold stroke lines in the canvas artwork play off of each other. The coffee table was custom designed and built to combine asymmetry and flow.

Once we started to discuss ideas and design direction, it quickly led to adding the reception room to the project. We wanted this large greeting area to feel elevated and set the tone when walking into their new lounging space.

The reception area got a moody and modern makeover. By painting the walls a rich, charcoal grey, we instantly added depth and dimension. It also showcases this space as its own entity, versus just an extension of the foyer. Bold artwork and clean furniture lines keep it streamlined and refined.

This project allowed me to stretch creatively and I am always humbled by the trust our clients put in our vision. We loved delivering a calm yet sophisticated experience for them. Lounging never looked and felt so good! Now, if only we could deliver that California weather too.

Like what you see? Take a peek at the talent behind the story… Interior Design: Jodie Owen Design · Photography: Nat Kay · Painter: Finer Edge · Custom Table: Jonathan Lootens