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LEFT: Stone from the original home is now a feature in the intimate parlour. TOP: A library just off the main living space is enclosed with sliding french doors. ABOVE: A circular sofa is a fun addition in the family room. OPPOSITE, TOP: High ceilings make a grand entrance. BOTTOM: Stones from the property’s original home were used to clad the magnificent stone and stucco exterior.

Tearing down an older home to build new is common today. With space at a premium, it’s often the only option. What’s not so common is preserving aspects of the house you’re tearing down out of respect for its former owners.

Rose Fiorello-Calvi was adamant when she and husband, Frank, bought an old stone home on 10 acres in rural Woodbridge. “The original owners had lived here for 60 years,” Rose says. “The home was built with stones the husband and his brother, both stonemasons, brought from up north. Knowing how much they loved their home, I wanted the stones to be part of our new home. I also wanted to preserve the river-stone fireplace and goldfish pond.”

“The original design for the house had too many columns and pillars,” she explains. “It was a showpiece. We didn’t like it, that’s not who we are.” Instead, the couple hired architectural firm Surano Design to work with them. The style is traditional, but not strictly formal. A series of steeply pitched gable roofs, dormer windows, stucco, stone and wood echo the Tudor style. Built by Bayview-Wellington Homes, the 8,500 sq. ft. home incorporates the original stones in its random fieldstone exterior. The goldfish pond was preserved. A.R.G. Group Inc. made it smaller to accommodate footings for the larger home. The original fireplace and mantel are now a focal point in the beautifully appointed parlour.

It’s been 13 years since Rose and Frank moved in and they were ready for a change. “We have a lot of wood, panelling and antiques, and much of the upholstery was heavy,” Rose reveals. “We wanted to lighten things up.”

Rose contacted Natalie Papia, President of Zilli Home Interiors for an in-home consultation. “Rooms to inspire, indulgences to love” is the Zilli motto. The company’s retail showroom on Chrislea Road has over 50 accessorized rooms in a variety of styles. Whether you want ideas for a new build, or like Rose, advice on a refresh, Zilli Home Interiors can help. They also design custom pieces, like those created for Rose and Frank. Virtually all the new pieces in the home are from Zilli. “Rose and Frank’s home already had beautiful finishes,” says Natalie. “So our job was a pleasure.”

In the parlour, the new creamy tone-on-tone palette pops against rich cherry wood panelling and Brazilian Jatoba hardwood. Club chairs in a jacquard weave with subtle geometrics are arranged for conversation. “Left floating in the room, rather than pushed against a wall, gives prominence to their scalloped wood backs,” Natalie points out. Solid linen pillows coordinate nicely. A creamy Obasan rug with blues, greens and hints of burgundy defines the conversation area. Modern side tables with mirrors and gold leaf detail add a slightly feminine, reflective element. Rose opted to keep her grandmother’s crystal, antique-glass coffee table with gold-leaf rope edge and velvet-upholstered french country chairs. Light silk panel window shades with tassels in an old-world medallion print were custom-made. Left partially open, they offer forest views. “I have girls’ nights in this room,” says Rose. “It’s a bright, relaxing space to entertain.”

In interior design, a certain amount of repetition ensures visual consistency and flow, particularly in a large house like this one. It

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IT HOMEHISTORY MAKES

STORY JOYCE TURNER GIONET | PHOTOGRAPHY SANDY MACKAY FLOWERS TERRACOTTA HOME & GARDEN

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could be repetition in colour, finish, fabric, texture or shape. Those with a designer’s eye will pick up on it, the rest of us will simply feel comfortable as we move from room to room. In the formal living room, design elements from the parlour repeat: the creamy finish on the sideboard, its gold-leaf-and-mirrored doors. A Canadian-made armless curved sectional in chenille works beautifully. Its size and shape anchor the space and define the seating area. Teal accent pillows punctuated with gold stitching match the draperies. Diamond-shaped knobs on the sideboard are a bronze finish.

In the kitchen, by Nima Kitchen & Bath Centre, rough tumbled limestone floors and a gas fireplace with wrought-iron fleur-de-lis patterned doors are European. In Italy, kitchen fireplaces were once used for cooking. Countertops are limestone. “I was advised against it because of staining and pitting, but I love the earthy look,” Rose explains. “Any wear on them is like wrinkles on the face of my house, it feels comfortable.” The couple entertain regularly, so the hand-made wood table was designed to seat 24. Tiered Ralph Lauren chandeliers are a sophisticated addition over the table and kitchen counters.

In the dining room, floors are polished limestone, taking the ambience up a notch, in keeping with the formal space. “This room used to have dark antique wood with lots of detailed inlays,” says Rose. Now, a mirrored gold-leaf table is matched with shapely high-back captain’s chairs in a creamy woven fabric. The tufted backs are inset with Swarovski crystals instead of buttons. The sideboard, originally in the master bedroom, was moved to the dining room. An antique chandelier complements the gilt frames of the oil paintings. Continued on page 26

ABOVE LEFT AND RIGHT: The lower level is an entertainer’s dream with a bar, wine cellar and recreation area. LEFT: The opulent dining room sparkles with metallic finishes and crystal.OPPOSITE, TOP AND BOTTOM RIGHT: There’s plenty of space to gather in the large eat-in kitchen. A cantina was conveniently placed just outside the kitchen for easy access. LEFT: The home’s cantina reflects the family’s Italian roots.

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The couple’s Italian roots are reflected in the cantina, a wonderfully rustic space that Rose set up with straw baskets to hold fruit. Herbs, Calabrese cheese and salami hang from the ceiling. Homemade vinegar made by Rose’s grandfather, oil and cooking wine are close at hand. Natalie, with her Italian roots, was enchanted with the space.

History matters. Taking time to preserve aspects of history matters even more. Perhaps, years down the road, another family will tear down this house and rebuild, but in the process, like Rose and Frank, they’ll preserve a little of its beautiful past. For now, the next generation of goldfish swims happily around the pond. Each spring, like clockwork, mallard ducks return to their nesting ground at the pond’s edge, all part of the traditions that make this house a home. OH

FAR LEFT: A grown-up room for a young woman incorporates plenty oftexture and sparkle. LEFT: The walk-in closet is tucked within the masteren suite. BELOW: The master bedroom is like stepping into a European retreat, withdraped fabrics, a tufted headboard and a settee.BOTTOM LEFT: The closet is boutique chic with plenty of storage.

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