PLUSPersonal ity

STORY ADRIENNE BROWN PHOTOGRAPHY JASON HARTOG

When Paula and Ken Marskell moved into their Elora home seven years ago, it was a great space – and fantastic location on the Grand River – but it was lacking in character. Now, it’s bursting with personality and charm. Paula, the owner of Chanticleer, a décor shop in the Elora Mews, has added character in spades to every room in the home.

TOP: Homeowner Paula Marskell’s clever mix of patterns, colour and whimsy are evident in the elegant living room. RIGHT: Each corner of the house is a carefully staged vignette. Here – a glimpse of the entryway from the family room. OPPOSITE: An inviting covered porch off Paula’s office on the second floor overlooks the pool and terraced garden setting.

ourhomes S U M M E R 2 0 1 7 | 3130 | ourhomes S U M M E R 2 0 1 7

feature

HHer love for colour and whimsy is evident at every turn. “I decorate, that’s what I do,” she laughs. “When I need something, I just see what I have in my store.”

Paula opened Chanticleer when she moved to Elora from Toronto. She and Ken have another business, but her passion has always been home design. So when they moved and had a fresh start at home, she thought she’d start fresh in business too. “My store is pretty well my house,” she says of the style. She sells what she loves and loves what she sells.

She’s hands-on when it comes to her home décor, contributing to painting, but also to the choice of textiles. Most of her design schemes start with fabric. Then she picks a colour palette from the fabric, matches a Benjamin Moore paint colour, and she’s off. “I made every curtain, cushion and duvet cover in the house,” she says.

The home, which was originally built in 1966, was designed as a family home with an attached veterinary clinic, each with a separate entrance. When the original owners sold the home in the 1990s, the next owners began extensive renovations, including rejigging the layout and eliminating the veterinary entrance. “When they moved in, they removed the second door and opened up the space so it was one family house,” says Paula.

TOP LEFT: Paula’s fascination with roosters and farm animals plays out in this cheerful kitchen. TOP RIGHT: Ken’s office, tucked at the back of the house on the main floor, overlooking the pool and deck area. OPPOSITE: A crystal chandelier, fine china, informal white painted chairs mixed with a traditional dining table create an eclectic dining scapethat highlights Paula’s decorating style and personality.

Continued on page 34

Bright colour, bold patterns and pretty pottery pop!

ourhomes S U M M E R 2 0 1 7 | 3332 | ourhomes S U M M E R 2 0 1 7

feature

countertops from Coronado Solid Surface Corp., updated the appliances and installed a new backsplash.

Nearby, the main-floor powder room was once used to shower and bathe dogs – so Paula says they had a plumber come and clean out the pipes before they could use it properly. Now, it’s daring in red and the only animals allowed in are those on the quirky art from Chanticleer and the Marskells’ own two dogs.

The eclectic furniture around the home is a collection of pieces that all tell a story. Many were created by friends or local Elora artists and shop owners, such as the dining room furniture, which was painted by Sarah at Honeychurch Lane.

That was just the beginning. In 2010, Paula and Ken moved in and began three months of their own renovations.

One of the first things they did was to install travertine flooring in the foyer and crown moulding throughout the home. They added an instant sense of grandeur that the home was previously lacking. The blue carpet on the main floor and the floors upstairs were replaced.

In the kitchen, freshly painted white cabinetry is accented with statement knobs. The yellow and red décor is bold and fun – a fresh update from drab cabinets and a pink island. The Marskells decided to replace some cabinet doors with glass fronts to show off their dishware. They installed quartz

LEFT & FAR LEFT: The family room off the main entry begs for feet up and cosy conversation with friends, or a quiet cuddle with the dogs.BOTTOM LEFT: Wrought-iron furniture and bright punches of colour in this airy gazebo make it a favourite spot for al frescomeals. BELOW: A salt water pool, hot tub, shaded gazebo, plumped brightcoloured cushions are ready to jump into summer.

Continued on page 36

ourhomes S U M M E R 2 0 1 7 | 3534 | ourhomes S U M M E R 2 0 1 7

feature

“I love distressed furniture,” says Paula, who has tackled some painting projects herself, but also trusted other pieces to the local pros. “Valerie and her husband were here for like three months,” she laughs, referring to Valerie Petis of ONE by Valerie. Ken jokes that if he doesn’t stop moving, Paula will paint him black like everything else lately. Valerie’s husband Don Petis of Faux Creations handled the home’s interior painting.

The veterinarian’s office space is now Ken’s office. It looks out to the backyard, which is decorated with the same style and whimsy as the interior of the home. Paula’s office is upstairs and walks out to a balcony that runs the length of the bedrooms and has a covered sitting area.

Two of the upstairs bedrooms had a walk-through connecting two kids’ rooms, but the Marskells filled in the pass-through to create two private guest bedrooms, each decorated in a completely different colour scheme. The upstairs bath is the most recently repainted room, popping in pink.

Their renovations and updates didn’t stop there. “Nobody had done anything in the basement before us,” says Paula. Now the couple use it when they entertain – which they love to do. Besides their laundry space, featuring a red washer and dryer combo, they also have a games area and a bar.

TOP LEFT: Who wouldn’t want to be the guest in this bedroom? It’s a perfect pairing of lavender accents with soft green walls in Benjamin Moore’s Pale Avocado. TOP RIGHT: Signature Paula style: hang decorative shelf above cabinet, arrange books, add local artwork, pottery, candles and an accent that pulls the primary colour from the room. Et voilà! LEFT: Paula’s new decorating technique – paint it black! Painting mirrors and cabinetry black grounds the space.

Continued on page 38

Home Décor Items: Clocks • Art, Mirrors • Tableware • Roosters • Flowers And For You: Purses • Jewellery • Scarves • Watches

519.846.8796 45 Mill Street West, Elora Mews, Unit 9, Elora

www.ChanticleerShop.ca

(519) 846-SHOE (7463)

www.shoevillaelora.com

Quality Family Footwear & Accessories

1-54 Wellington Rd #7, Elora, ON (located ‘uptown’ Elora, beside the Subway Plaza) find us on facebook

36 | ourhomes S U M M E R 2 0 1 7

feature

TOP: Paula’s flair and talent for sewing and choice of fine fabric spell pretty in pink in the master bedroom. LEFT: The master en suite features ornate cabinetry. The angular shape of the cabinet is complimented by the large oval mirror.

In summer, most of their entertaining happens outdoors in their fabulous backyard. Besides their sparkling salt water pool and bubbling hot tub, the Marskells also installed a new seating area, a change room, and a large white gazebo, which has hosted many al fresco meals. The Marskells designed cement steps down to the lower portion of their yard, plus railings and a proper fence (BFD Rona Building Centre) to keep their dogs safe and to create a pathway to the river.

When you love décor, art and supporting local artists and artisans as much as Paula and Ken Marskell do, your design and décor are never truly complete. The home continues to evolve as their tastes and interests do – as does the stock in Paula’s shop. OH

Teddy bears – one of Paula’s whimsical col lections.

275 Hanlon Creek Blvd. Unit 5, GuelphText eveclaxton to 85377 to

Connect with Me!

519.766.7650eveclaxton.ca

Eve ClaxtonBROKER OF RECORD

Direct: 519.831.7653eve@eveclaxton.ca

Lezlie OReillySALES REPRESENTATIVE

Direct: 519.546.4095lezlie@eveclaxton.ca

Meghan BarberSALES REPRESENTATIVE

Direct: 519.546.0883meghan@eveclaxton.ca

WALKERBRAEWhere Rustic Meets Elegance! Original estate to the surrounding area, this Canadian log home was built in the 1800’s with two major additions. This beautiful, unique home offers 4 large bedrooms, a chef’s kitchen with a breakfast table, separate dining, a cozy great room, 3 season cottage room and an in-law-suite. The cottage room is breathtaking with its pine ceiling, stone fireplace as well as floor-to-ceiling antique windows reclaimed from a mansion in Elora that are piano-hinged, permitting them to open and fold back to the wall, allowing fresh air to breeze through while you are enjoying the scenery! The original log portion was lovingly restored and features hand-hewn square logs made from elm, that are simply stunning. The main floor in-law-suite has a private entrance; offers a bedroom with plenty of closets, a full bath with a brand new European shower amongst log beams, and a feature log wall as well as a sitting/dining room looking out through the French doors. This gorgeous estate home sits at the top of a hill with over an acre of property overlooking mature, century old maple and cedar trees, which creates a sense of solitude and tranquility! Call Meghan.

64 HERITAGE LAKE- $2,299,000. RARELY DOES A HOME OF THIS CALIBER BECOME AVAILABLE. Heritage Lake Estates is a commuter’s dream. Cottage Lake setting on 1/2 acre within 1 min. of the 401. Magnificent natural stone, the finest finishes and an endless list of upgrades throughout. Open concept with 5400 sq. ft. of exquisite living space. Main floor features 12’ ceilings, 10’ doors, crown and archways, tall baseboards, French oak smoked plank floors, oversized windows, wall to wall aluminum clad sliders, surround sound and dramatic lighting. Master with WIC and luxury ensuite featuring mirrored tub and stained glass window. Stunning cabinetry designs with marble finish, state-of-the-art appliances and walk-in pantry. Heated bath and laundry floors, 2 fireplaces, with a third on the large covered patio. Fully finished lower level with separate entrance and incredible cinema style theatre room. Call Eve.

165 HAYWARD COURT, ROCKWOODStunning 4 bedroom family home in picturesque Rockwood on a quiet court. This beautiful executive home is loaded with extras. In addition to a beautiful salt water pool complete with professional landscaping, you will find Acacia hardwood floors on 1st and 2nd floors, 9’ ceilings with crown mouldings, hardwood staircase with custom railings upstairs and downstairs, bright kitchen, including stainless steel appliances, granite counters throughout, bright family room with separate living room/dining room, professionally finished basement with custom wet bar and cabinetry. This move-in ready house is just waiting for you...come and see for yourself! Call Lezlie for more information

COX COURTHave you ever wanted a beautifully designed home, with nothing to do other than move in? If the answer is yes, then 39 Cox Court is the home for you! The property is located in one of Guelph’s most sought after neighbourhoods on a quaint and quiet court location. Close proximity to downtown, shopping, schools, parks and the 401 for any commuters. As soon as you walk into the luxurious grand entrance, you have a sense of comfort and relaxation. The bright, large kitchen and living room area is any entertainer’s dream. Separate living-dining room and main floor office all with an abundance of natural light throughout the home. Exquisite finishes, a gorgeous fully finished walk-out basement, 2 great outdoor living spaces surrounded by mature trees and a fenced in yard. This house has it all. It is truly a one-of-a-kind, with nothing quite like it, call it home today! Call Meghan.

Ask Us About Upcoming Communities, Estate Subdivisions & Houses Not On Mls

1999 CONCESSION 10 Beautiful property, close proximity to Highway 6 and the 401, great location for any commuters that want a lifestyle change! Stunning custom bungalow over 7,000 sq. ft. of living space, with 5 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, great room, family room, media room, chef’s kitchen with large pantry, games room, beautiful master bedroom with a large walk-in closet and ensuite! The outdoor living is to die for, with two covered porches and lots of privacy! This property is suitable for a hobby farm or active enthusiasts having 98.76 acres of stunning property ready for exploring! If you are looking for a luxury home with wildlife sightings, solitude, and minutes from the hwy. this is the property for you! Call Meghan.

38 | ourhomes S U M M E R 2 0 1 7

feature