The Willistead Project.
INTRODUCTION
Ladies and gentlemen, at long last, it’s finally time for our team at Mister Style to unveil our biggest passion project to date!
Welcome to Willistead, where the phrase “the sky’s the limit” was truly put to the test.
What began as an exercise in pushing beyond our boundaries and passion for design, quickly transformed into something none of us could have ever dreamed of.
After a year and a half of conceptualizing, planning, coordinating, building, and capturing this home, we are proud to present the project that proves us worthy of the name Mister Style.
Without further ado, with our heart on our sleeve, we are proud to introduce THE WILLISTEAD PROJECT -- a passionate renovation, thoughtfully designed by Mister Style.
Nestled in the heart of historic Walkerville in Windsor, Ontario, The Willistead Project emerges as a testament to the marriage of timeless elegance and contemporary sophistication. This ambitious endeavor unfolds as a meticulous full modern renovation of a captivating revival-style home from the 1930s, breathing new life into its architectural soul while preserving the essence of its storied past.
Reviving History with Modern-Chic Aesthetics
The design ethos of The Willistead Project takes inspiration from the modern-chic genre, seamlessly blending timeless charm with avant-garde flair. Stepping across the threshold, the atmosphere transforms into a symphony of black and white tones, accented by deep earthy greens, and illuminated by unique lighting that casts a warm, inviting glow throughout. Scandinavian wood graces the floors, leading the way from a checkered black and white tile foyer that sets the tone for the entire space.
THE RENOVATION - Bridging the Past with the Future
The heart of this project lies in its extraordinary renovation journey, transforming a captivating but dated revival-style home from the 1960s into a living testament of unique modern design.
From the grand entrance, where black and white checkered tiles set the stage, to the powder room adorned with ferocious Gucci patterned wallpaper, every nook and cranny of The Willistead Project breathes new life into a once traditional home. The den, dining room, and kitchen each showcase a seamless fusion of classic charm and avant-garde flair, creating spaces that transcend time. The open-concept flex-space and basement theatre room offer versatility, ensuring that entertainment is not merely an option but an intrinsic part of the identity of the home.
This modern renaissance in historic Walkerville pays homage to the past while boldly stepping into the future, creating a space that is as timeless as it is contemporary. The transformation achieved through this renovation is not just visual; it's a tactile, immersive experience that invites visitors to journey through a living, breathing canvas of design brilliance - a masterpiece where every detail has been meticulously curated to redefine luxury, comfort, and the very essence of home.
So, grab our hand (and a glass of your favourite vintage) as we guide you through every aspect of our most ambitious project to date.
FOYER -- A GRAND ENTRANCE
The journey through The Willistead Project begins with a grand entrance. The foyer, a space that perfectly encapsulates the intersection of classic design and contemporary functionality. The eye is immediately drawn to the black and white checkered tile flooring, a striking homage to timeless design elements that add a touch of drama to the space.
Overhead, the Currey & Co. midnight green mini chandelier takes centre stage, casting a soft glow that adds a touch of mystery and sophistication to the foyer. Its carefully chosen hue complements the black and white palette, creating a captivating interplay of light and shadow that sets the tone for the entire home.
The walls are adorned with wainscotting, a classic touch that adds depth and character to the space. As you traverse through the foyer, pill wall sconces light the way with a subtle yet purposeful glow. The foyer seamlessly flows into an entertainment enclave - the wet bar. Patina mirror tiles line the walls, reflecting the elegance of the foyer and creating an illusion of expanded space. A dark leathered granite countertop provides a luxurious surface for hosting guests, offering a perfect blend of aesthetics and functionality.
PARLOUR -- Symmetry and Opulence
Journey into the parlour; this symetrical oasis draws you in with its twin marble coffee tables, pristine cream sofas, and matching midnight black iron cabinets.
Twin chairs at a bistro table provide a cozy corner, while the pièce-de-résistance is the remixed-Renaissance artwork framed in etched gold, creating a harmonious blend of classic and contemporary aesthetics.
Whether you’re looking for a serene spot to wind down after a long workday, or to have deep chat with your closest friends after a few too many glasses of cab-sav, the parlour is built to be the ultimate timeless gathering place.
DINING ROOM -- Elegance Meets the Avant-Garde
Stepping into the dining room, a bespoke white live-edge wood table commands attention, surrounded by shapely forest green chairs.
Dinner parties are illuminated by the Regina Andrews bubble chandelier, casting a warm glow over walls adorned with Jean-Paul Gautier wallpaper, creating a captivating ambiance that invites guests to linger in the beauty of the space.
Finally, a monochromatic photo of boxing legend Muhammad Ali sits gracefully on the walls. While small, this space is packed with style, offering a close quarters place to enjoy small dinner parties with friends and family.
KITCHEN - A Culinary Kingdom
Now, what we see as the true heart of this home — the kitchen. If we had to choose a favourite room in this home, this very well might be the one.
The kitchen stands out as a culinary masterpiece, anchored by a deep green waterfall island. Unique twin pendants hang above the island illuminating the beautiful grain of the marble, allowing its varying colours to truly shine.
A custom concrete rangehood by our friends at AnR Concrete hovers over an eclectic white and gold La Cornue stove, complemented by polar white Café appliances and an extended farmhouse sink.
A trio of white counter stools sit pretty along the island creating a picture perfect view from the living room - the vibrant other half of this open-concept flex space.
LIVE AND DINE - Cozy Conversations in the Flex Space
Sometimes a home just begs you to knock down a few walls, and that’s exactly what we did to allow this home to truly breathe. This decision created what turned into an open-concept flex space, featuring a living room and dining area illuminated by a commanding Curry and Co. chandelier with a lime-wash finish, matching the beautiful pendants above the island. The oval dining table is wrapped by Four Hands' Augustine bench, perfect for booth-like parties or game nights fuelled by ever-flowing wine.
At the heart of this flexible living space, a rounded camel sofa sits atop a monochromatic patterned rug, creating an inviting setting for late-night conversations and lazy Sundays at home. The fusion of design elements creates a harmonious balance, encouraging comfort without sacrificing style, evident in the trophy-like assembly of decor lining the sideboard.
Black leather swivels sit at each side of the sideboard, inviting dynamic banter between you and friends, or a friendly spot for your posh pet to curl up and bask in the morning light.
POWDER ROOM - Perfect for Ferocious Selfies
The powder room at the Willistead Project is ferociously trippy. Wrapped floor to ceiling in an extravagant Gucci wallpaper, this intimate space transforms into a canvas of artistry featuring majestic tigers in various colorways.
Dark leathered granite graces the counter, seamlessly blending with the decadent surroundings, while a stone basin sink, adorned with a brass tap, crowns the ensemble with a touch of modern sophistication.
In a home with seemingly endless photo-ops, selfies in here can be hard to top.
WET BAR - Fully Stocked, No Question.
The foyer seamlessly flows into an entertainment enclave: the wet bar. Mirrored tiles line the walls, reflecting the elegance of the entrance and creating an illusion of expanded space. A leathered granite countertop provides a luxurious surface for hosting guests, offering a perfect blend of aesthetics and functionality.
PRIMARY BEDROOM - Sleep Sanctuary
Ascending the stairs to the primary bedroom, waltz up the monochromatic houndstooth runner, complemented by timeless wainscotting and glowing alabaster sconces.
In the primary bedroom, a walk-in shower takes centre stage, flanked by a fully custom stonework vanity featuring dual bespoke mirrors. This warm and cozy sleep space may be home to the coolest ensuite bathroom you’ve ever seen.
But what about a closet? Where can I store my seemingly endless wardrobe and collection of designer bags?
A nearly hidden walkway leads to an adjoining room, offering a private retreat to the walk-in closet. Not only is this room the ultimate place for fit-checks, but the door leads outward to the second floor balcony, perfect for looking outward to the iconic Walkerville neighborhood while you enjoy your morning coffee.
GUEST SUITES - Sleepover anyone?
A low bed becomes the focal point of the first additional bedroom. Suspended above, decorative hanging sconces cast a warm glow, creating an intimate ambiance that beckons guests to unwind. The walls serve as a canvas for black and white art prints featuring the enigmatic Jack Torrance which add an intriguing edge to the room's aesthetic. The counterpart features patterned beige wallpaper. The centerpiece of the room is an inviting accent chair, perfectly complementing the surrounding earthy hues.
These further the narrative of a home that seamlessly balances subtle modernity, ensuring every corner is a testament to impeccable taste and thoughtful design.
BASEMENT - Cinema meets Serenity
Last but certainly not least, descend into the basement, where a dedicated theatre room awaits, its walls adorned with retro classic film posters featuring the beasts of the big screen - King Kong and the Incredible Hulk, with classic James Bond signage just outside the door.
Taking the limelight from 007 is a built-in leathered granite wet bar, matching it’s main floor counterpart. Perfect for conveniently hosting private film screenings complete with snacks and spirits.
This space stands ready to host movie nights, providing a perfect blend of cinematic luxury and casual entertainment.
CLOSING REMARKS.
The Willistead Project stands not only as a testament to the impeccable taste of our design team but as a living, breathing work of art that seamlessly weaves together the past and the present, creating a home that rides the line between timeless and contemporary.
Bringing this project to life has truly been a dream come true for each and every one of us at Mister Style. To finally share it with you feels like the perfect conclusion to what once felt like an endless tale. If you’ve made it this far, thank you, thank you, thank you!
And now, time for an even bigger chapter…