New Lawrence Park Home Blends French Country Charm with Modern Family Living
In the heart of Toronto's prestigious Lawrence Park neighborhood, a new 4,500-square-foot residence has emerged that defies the typical modern build. Designed by Golara Ghasemi from the ground up, this home masterfully avoids the "overbuilt, flashy and cold" aesthetic often associated with new constructions, instead cultivating a profound sense of "warmth and soul." The goal was to create a dwelling that feels as though it has always been part of the landscape, a timeless sanctuary for a young family.
Design Philosophy: Avoiding the Cold, Embracing Character
Golara Ghasemi, the visionary behind the project, collaborated closely with her clients to sidestep the pitfalls of contemporary over-design. The homeowners, a couple with two young children including a toddler, desired a thoughtful and functional space that would evolve with their family. They also required a home capable of hosting their large extended family, with frequent guests visiting from the United States and overseas, and gatherings that can swell to eighty people.
"They wanted a design that would work for the whole family at different stages of their lives," explains Ghasemi. The directive was clear: create a comfortable, relaxed environment for quiet family moments, free from sharp corners, fussy furnishings, and fleeting fashionable details, yet open and graceful enough to accommodate large crowds seamlessly.
Capitalizing on a Unique Property
The irregularly shaped lot, shaded by mature evergreens and angled to face neighbors only obliquely, presented a unique canvas. This orientation allowed for the strategic placement of large, sunny windows on all four sides, flooding the interior with natural light while maintaining a high degree of privacy—a rare combination in an urban setting.
A Journey Through Timeless Details
Stepping through the arched-top oak front door with its paned windows, visitors are immediately greeted by French country influences. A barrel-vaulted ceiling, illuminated by glass globe pendants, establishes a vintage atmosphere, while a framed black-and-white marble checkerboard floor beneath offers a classic Parisian touch.
The challenge of the long, open hallway leading toward the back of the house was to prevent it from feeling like a mere corridor. Ghasemi's solution was to create inviting stops along the way. On one side, floor-to-ceiling built-ins surround a custom floating console with drawers for everyday items, set within an opening featuring curved corners that elegantly echo the front door's arch.
On the opposite side, hallway tiles laid on a diagonal guide the eye under a substantial archway into a sun-drenched front sitting room. This space, with its tall French windows, exposed ceiling beams, and a simply framed marble mantel, provides a perfect retreat for quiet conversation, slightly removed from the main flow of family activity.
Spaces for Gathering and Living
The hallway culminates in the formal dining room, centrally located to serve as an ideal hub for parties. A shallow sideboard with another graceful arch provides storage for serveware and linens, doubling as a practical bar area. Here, texture is added through a porcelain backsplash and mesh cabinet fronts.
"We didn't want anything too flashy in here," Ghasemi notes. "Instead, we paid attention to details: it's the idea that the more you look, the more you see." This philosophy of layered discovery permeates the entire home.
The great room boasts a dramatic 28-foot ceiling, with windows and a half-moon clerestory ensuring it is bathed in light. Throughout the home, elements like the cobblestone facing on the kitchen range hood and the grand archway to the great room contribute to a romantic, enduring feel.
Ultimately, this Lawrence Park home is a masterclass in blending historical reverence with contemporary needs. It achieves a rambling, character-filled ambiance with nooks, crannies, and imaginative details, proving that a new build can indeed possess an old soul, offering both intimacy for a young family and grandeur for their expansive social life.
