Cover The living room in a Toronto townhouse designed by Gillian Gillies
The living room in a Toronto townhouse designed by Gillian Gillies
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Gillian Gillies transforms this Toronto home into a tactile haven that takes inspiration from flora and fauna
“There’s nothing a cup of tea and a great fabric can’t fix,” says Gillian Gillies, the interior designer of this Toronto sanctuary. Originally from Edinburgh, Gillies took inspiration from the city’s neoclassical and Georgian architecture to highlight different textures and textiles that add a distinctively feminine twist to this space.
Gillies worked closely with her client, an older woman who wanted to refresh her home after her children had moved out. “I had nearly complete freedom to reimagine her home, which was truly an honour,” shares Gillies. “We had a lot of fun, and I pushed the boundaries a bit. The final design turned out to be fresh, understated, and elegant—perfectly reflecting her style. We drew a lot of inspiration from the ravine views outside her windows.”
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Above A closer look at the chinoiserie-inspired drapery and unique chairs in the living room
A closer look at the chinoiserie-inspired drapery and unique chairs in the living room
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The goal for the Toronto home was to create a vibrant home with an abundance of colours and textures, without cluttering the space too heavily. Upon entering the living room, one is captivated by the draperies that take inspiration from chinoiserie, adding an eclectic touch to the space. The vibrant flora and fauna on the draperies influenced the colour palette for the main floor, which is grounded in a blush tone with accents of pink, yellow, and green artfully scattered through the home.
Above Unique chairs on display in the living room
Above Fresh flowers on display in the living room
Unique chairs on display in the living room
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The largest piece in the living room is a curved sofa, which has a calming shade of oatmeal that matches the carpet. Along with the other chairs in the room, the furniture grounds the space with its organic forms, allowing the homeowner to unwind with a cup of tea after a long day. Despite being in the middle of the Bridle Path neighbourhood of Toronto, surrounded by the city’s amenities, the space offers a retreat from the city with its immersion in nature.
The living room was Gillies’ favourite space to design. “The eclectic mix of seating in the living room adds to the beautiful atmosphere,” she says. “The polka dot ceiling and egg chair are unexpected but add a perfect touch to the classic design.”
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Above Exploring the unique green accents in the kitchen
Exploring the unique green accents in the kitchen
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Moving from the living room to the kitchen, one can see more of Gillies’ playful style and bold use of different textures to breathe life into the space. The space is painted an ivory hue with bold pops of green, which echo the views of the nearby ravine. A Toronto artist created a plaster mural of hummingbirds flitting around magnolia branches, imbuing the space with dynamism.
Above the kitchen island is a rattan light fixture, with an undulating structure that echoes the unique chairs in the living room. Tucked into the table are chairs painted in a verdant shade that matches the kitchen hood, adding a whimsical layer with their geometric patterns.
The dining room, featuring wallpaper by Philip Jeffries, a table by Robert James and green mohair dining room chairs by Clarence House
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The dining room features embroidered grasscloth wallpaper and draperies edged with beaded tape, creating the perfect backdrop for gatherings with family and friends. The neutral dining chairs are paired with a contrasting green chair at the head of the table, adding further visual appeal to the space. Above the table hangs a distinctive lighting fixture that emulates the lustre and form of a shell, a nod to Gillies’ inspiration from nature.
Above The powder room with a botanical mural made of linen
The powder room with a botanical mural made of linen
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On the same floor, guests are treated to a powder room with a mural made of linen, which features black and white botanical elements over a verdant, green backdrop.
Above The principal suite, which pairs creams with accents of blues and terra cotta
Above Exploring the soothing hues of the principal suite
The principal suite, which pairs creams with accents of blues and terra cotta
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In the principal suite, the colours lean more towards warm minimalism. The primary bedroom features cherry blossoms on the draperies, which complement the soothing textures in the bouclé headboard and the bright blue accents in the bedside lamp and checkered blanket.
Above The bathroom in the principal suite, with a floral mural
The bathroom in the principal suite, with a floral mural
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The principal suite also features a bathroom that exudes vintage charm, with a mural of bright pink and red carnations blooming all over the walls.
Overall, the space creates an immersive atmosphere with layers of different colours and textures, which Gillian Gillies carefully curated to create a harmonious space. A tactile haven that blends timeless elements with a contemporary edge, this Toronto townhouse is sure to help the homeowner create cherished memories with her family for years to come.
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Credits
Photography: Virginia Macdonald
Styling: Me&Mo Creative
Topics
About
Celine first read Charlotte’s Web at the age of five–and she hasn’t stopped turning pages since. Her favourite authors are Mona Awad and Nat Cassidy. Besides writing for Tatler, she listens to BTS and spends time with her family.
Work
Celine took up secondary education with a major in English, graduating from De La Salle University in 2023. She advocates for female empowerment through creative expression by writing for Tatler Homes.
For story leads or inquiries, you may reach out to her via celine.dabao@tatlerasia.com.
