The Ottawa Citizen .  Apr 21 2007 . Sheila Brady

Eye Candy; Tracking down local sources for fine treats in Monarch’s decadent model home

There are decadent helpings of eye candy in Monarch’s model home, the Maple, in Bradley Estates. Ottawa-area housing manager Rosemary O’Shea estimates there’s close to $150,000 worth of upgrades in the home, which was designed by Toronto architect, Viljoen, and decorated by Janice Wilson.

“I wanted to create an upcountry look that is modern, yet somewhat traditional,” says the Toronto-based Wilson, who has decorated Monarch’s model homes in Toronto and communities across Ottawa, including the east-end community of Bradley Estates, which sits beside environmentally sensitive lands, the Mer Bleue Bog.

“I wanted the house to look solid and have a sense of warmth without looking super modern,” she says. “It is a community that borders on an ecological land reserve and I wanted to enhance nature in the home, so I used a lot of natural stones and warm wood tones.”

Wilson is also aware a large number of buyers have francophone roots, looking to buy their second or third home.

If you like what you see, ask the sales agents in the model home and they can give details from a sourcebook. You don’t have to buy a home to duplicate the large country country kitchen or the fabulous fireplace in the family room. Monarch will accommodate buyers’ requests, but you can also head to Ottawa retailers to buy the angled flooring or the country kitchen sink to upgrade your existing home.

Prices will vary. It’s best to do your homework.

What’s Cooking

Janice Wilson worked closely with Kevin Rosien of Deslaurier Custom Cabinets to design the large country kitchen, which features distressed corners on each cabinet. The cabinets are staggered in height to add visual appeal, says Wilson. “We also included seeded glass cabinets to break up the solid wood. “The country apron sink is the Chandler in cameo white by American Standard, $1,477 through Monarch’s design centre or various prices at area plumbing shops. The stainless-steel faucets mounted over a small vegetable sink in the large island is the Victorian model by Delta, model 21sssslhph216ss, $548 in the design centre. A trio of suspended lights over the island are the Dakota by Progress Lighting, or in the design centre for $387. The dramatic ceramic four- by four-inch tiling above the counters is from the Camelot series in a blanco matte finish by Olympia for $6.85 a square foot and available through Dynasty Flooring or the Monarch design centre. The tiny mocha creme accent tiles come in a decor set of four for $12.95 from Dynasty Flooring.

Fire’s Burning

Janice Wilson brought the hefty limestone fireplace mantel to Ottawa and Monarch, immediately winning fans, says Clint Connolly of Harding, The Fireplace Limited. “People saw the fireplace in the model at Bradley Estates and immediately drove here,” says Connolly, who installed the fireplace. A display of the DaVinci, precast mantel from the Chateau series, will be set up the Harding showroom by the end of May. The Chateau mantel is the largest in the series, says Connolly, adding it costs $3,000 installed. Stone above the mantel is available from Merkley Supply. It is southern ledge stone white oak by Cultured Stone, costs about $11 a square foot and comes with installation instructions. Or you can buy it through the Monarch design centre for $2,072. The raised hearth and stone is $960 installed, from the Monarch design centre.

On An Angle

The wide maple flooring is by Mirage and available at Barwood Flooring. It is the Sierra line, 3.75 inches wide, and laid on a 45-degree angle. “It costs more and there is a 10-per-cent wastage,” says Monarch’s Karen Milroy, “but it makes a room look wider and bigger.” Cost is $6.95 a square foot.

Sweet Dreams

Headboards don’t always have to be made of wood, says Toronto designer Janice Wilson. Upholstered headboards in heavy silk add an extra layer of beauty. Silk is also durable when coated, she says. The golden plaid pattern in the master bedroom is a Duralee fabric from the Crown Wallpaper Corporation and available through designers, including Blinds with Flair in Centrum in Kanata.

Wilson designed the headboard and had it made in Toronto, but it would likely cost about $1,200 to have it made here. You could make a variation yourself by going to area fabric shops.