How do you design a $4.2-million dollar dream home for a family you’ve never met? That’s only part of the challenge. We’re talking the grand dame of the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre Welcome Home Sweepstakes – the 6,587 sq. ft. 2015 Oakville show home. Brian Gluckstein, one of the world's top 35 designers, was the design half of the team. A big dreamer himself, luxury homebuilder Carlos Jardino, owner of PCM Project & Construction Management Inc., was the other half.

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The design had to be so dreamy that it enticed legions of visitors
and encouraged thousands of shares on social networks to publicize
its cause. The designer’s muse must have shivered – either with
delight at the challenge or in terror at getting it wrong. Since getting
it wrong was unthinkable, two eminent creative gurus were asked
for the third time in as many years to team up and invoke the muse.
Brian Gluckstein, one of the world’s top 35 designers, was the
design half of the team. A big dreamer himself, luxury homebuilder
Carlos Jardino, owner of PCM Project & Construction
Management Inc., was the other half.
What motivates the two to continue to say yes to the challenge?
“My father died of cancer at 52,” Carlos says. “It’s a cause my family
feels good about supporting.” Brian is equally eloquent, “Princess
Margaret is one of the world’s top five cancer research centres. It’s a
privilege to do this work.”
Red brick on the home’s traditional exterior speaks to an
English influence and plays beautifully with the neighbourhood’s
heritage. By contrast, the interior is transitional with contemporary
leanings – simple lines, neutral colours, classic fabrics, lots of
texture, abundant natural light and open spaces, but with defined
anchors. Brian has a knack for cutting interesting sightlines into
social spaces. You’re drawn effortlessly through rooms where leafy
outdoor views flood in through Kolbe Gallery Ontario windows.
A flowing organic rhythm is at work here. The monochromatic grey
palette is lit with pops of colour, enough to add energy to spaces
but not enough to steal from the calming neutral aesthetic. Exotic
textures are introduced through wall treatments and accessories. A
show home for sure, but at heart it’s a luscious backdrop for relaxed
living and laid-back entertaining.
Carlos is modest about his role as builder. “I scheduled the
trades, kept things moving toward the completion date, achieving
what Brian wanted within the limits of time and budget,” he says.
In truth, there’s much more to it. Brian wanted a dramatic sunken
living room with a 12-foot ceiling and magnificent arched windows,
a grand space. Local height restrictions moved the challenge beyond
the ordinary. Instead of building up, they had to build down.
Carlos sketched it out on paper for us. Suffice it to say, the concept
demanded a detailed supporting structure that goes deeper than
grade, completely reinforced and waterproofed.
How many people wander through a lottery home? Thousands!
Twenty people might be in the upstairs en suite taking in Brian’s
use of white marble, touching the faux wallpaper’s whimsical
TOP: The library painted in Benjamin Moore’s Hodley Red can be seen from
multiple vantage points in the home. RIGHT: Mouldings and arched windows add
architectural interest. OPPOSITE TOP: Brian Gluckstein creates beautiful, timeless
designs. OPPOSITE BOTTOM: The sunken living and dining room provides
multiple seating areas for relaxed entertaining.
Continued on page 39
How do you design a $4.2-million dollar dream
home for a family you’ve never met? That’s
only part of the challenge. We’re talking the
grand dame of the Princess Margaret Cancer
Centre Welcome Home Sweepstakes – the
6,587 sq. ft. 2015 Oakville show home.
A GRAND
PRIZE
STORY JOYCE TURNER-GIONET
PHOTOGRAPHY JASON HARTOG
PHOTO:NAOMIFINLAY
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home & builder

3. hand-carved plaster flowers, or raving over the shaving station and sink
designed into the shower. “Show homes must structurally support the
weight of all the visitors so I build them to commercial standards,” says
Carlos. “This house will still be standing in 300 years.”
Both men gave kudos to architect Richard Wengle. “He’s a master of
classical,” says Brian, who is also a classical fan. You see hints of this in
tiny details like the variation of the Greek key meander on the master
bed’s counterpane. The dining room’s dramatic photo mural feature
wall grew from a 1600s classical painting. With the lights on in the
evening, it attracts reams of attention. “People stop their cars to get a
better look,” Brian told us.
Is it difficult to design for an unknown homeowner? “That’s the
easy part,” says Brian. “It gives me the opportunity to try new things.”
One of Carlos’s favourite rooms is the open library between
the upper and lower level. It’s one of those “new things” that Brian
enthused over. “I love surprises in a house, the library feels more
connected to the rest of the house with this placement,” says Brian. Its
bordeaux wall colour, texturized with red-silk grass paper makes a
statement against dark oak.
The Little Big Top room nestles next to the library (pictured on the
cover). It’s a child’s bedroom, done in a bold red circus theme. Floor-
to-ceiling drapes turn it into a giant tent. It’s no surprise that the room
sent visiting kids into fits of excitement.
“Entertain me,” says the sleek contemporary kitchen. The room’s
layout grew from Brian’s desire for an extra-long island. “I wanted
to eliminate the traditional table,” he explains. Stainless appliances,
including a steamer, are built into the countertop. Walls, trim and
doors are painted Benjamin Moore’s Coventry Grey underpinning the
19-foot Symphony Grey Caeserstone slab island and backsplash. Glossy
cabinetry is by PM Fine Cabinetry Inc. Invisible touch-latch hardware
Continued on page 40
Caesarstone’s Symphony Grey was used for the waterfall counter
and backsplash to keep things bright. BELOW LEFT: The lower
level theatre room includes comfortable lounge seating.
BELOW RIGHT: The mudroom entry provides plenty of storage.
Deep brown hues
and luxurious fabrics
result in a warm and
inviting living room.
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4. and concealed hinges support the uncluttered aesthetic. It’s a bright
space lit by large windows and jazzed up with lime green accents. Herb
garden window boxes add an earthy element.
In the master suite, cream and gold tones rule. The wall behind the
bed floats in the room, and serves as a headboard as well as a wall for
the walk-through closet behind.
On the lower level, watch a movie and relax in style with chaise
lounges from Cocoon. Brian pondered the idea of a gym, but decided a
putting green would be much more fun. “When they all recovered from
the shock of that idea, my team really got into its design,” he laughs. OH
LEFT: Wallpaper in a whimsical hot air balloon motif adds a vintage vibe to the
Jack-and-Jill bathroom in the upper level. ABOVE: Layers of grey in a variety of
textures create the perfect backdrop for a child or teen. BELOW LEFT: The master
bedroom is made elegant with hints of gold and fresh, bright fabrics. BELOW: A
delicate floral pattern creates a zen master en suite retreat.
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