Project Bayside: A Traditional Home, Reimagined for Real Life
- Nikki
- Jan 9
- 3 min read
At NFG Designs, we believe great interior design should look beautiful and function effortlessly for real life. Project Bayside, a full main floor refresh, is a perfect example of how thoughtful design can transform not just a space — but how a family lives in it.
When my clients first reached out, they had recently moved into a new home that felt bright but impersonal. The main floor was overwhelmingly white, the furniture felt tired, and despite generous square footage, the layout didn’t support their lifestyle. With two boys heading into post-secondary, extended family visiting often, and a love of hosting, the space needed to work harder.
The home was built in 2020, and despite the restrictions and lockdowns at the time, the builder moved forward with as many design details as possible. This included several additional elements that were not originally planned, such as the detailed ceiling treatments. While the intention was clearly to create a home that felt new, modern, and classic, the weight of the ceiling details felt visually disconnected from the otherwise builder-grade, minimal walls. Everything was very top heavy, with no place for the eye to land and rest.
It’s also important to note that the homeowners purchased the property during its final finishing stages, inheriting these design decisions without the opportunity to refine them.
BEFORE PHOTOS: GATHERED AT THE INITIAL DESIGN CONSULTATION
Our clients were done with the furniture, but I saw potential with the accent chairs and proposed we refinish and recover them. We also explored keeping the breakfast table and designing a larger top for the base, but proportionally, the integrity of the table would be compromised with the existing base.
The breakfast room furniture is too small for the size of the space available and the clients wanted to accommodate more seating.
Designing for Flow Over Adding More Furniture
While additional seating was part of the initial request, it quickly became clear that the real issue was flow and functionality in the great room. The existing layout restricted movement, limited conversation zones, and made the space feel less inviting than it should have been.
Rather than adding more furniture, our approach focused on reworking the layout to improve circulation, sightlines, and connection between the living and dining areas. The new pieces needed to work hard to bring visual balance to the lower portion of the room vs. all the visual weight and interest happening on the ceiling.
By redefining zones and adjusting placement, the main floor instantly felt more open, intuitive, and welcoming — all without increasing the overall furniture footprint.
A Refreshed Take on Traditional Design
To bring warmth and personality into the space, we introduced a layered colour palette of soft greens, muted blues, and warm neutrals, replacing the stark white backdrop. Traditional elements — tailored upholstery, classic silhouettes, detailed millwork, airy wallpaper — were intentionally preserved and elevated with updated lighting, curated art, and thoughtful styling.
The result is a home that feels timeless yet refreshed, elevated but lived-in — perfectly suited for everyday family life and effortless entertaining.
Project Bayside reflects our approach to interior design in Ontario: design with colour while creating spaces that are functional, welcoming, and designed to grow with the families who live in them.
If you’re looking for an interior designer in the Greater Toronto Area who values thoughtful layouts, colourful spaces, timeless style, and livable design, we’d love to connect.
Comments