It’s not often that the client doubles as the builder. When interiors duo Danielle De Francesco and Clare Forndran of Forward Interiors were called in to design a five-bedroom, three-bathroom, 2,500-square-foot lake house 90 minutes from Toronto, they signed up to work hand in hand with the homeowner, who has his own custom building firm, Ivy Glen Homes. “He poured his heart and soul into making this happen,” Forndran says. “He wanted to do something he hadn’t seen a thousand times before.”
The result was a home that followed his every whim. It took three years to build the cottage, not because of its size, but because every intricate detail was intentional and gently pushed convention, from the bespoke stained oak panels on the walls to the Roman clay finish that softens the natural light streaming through the windows. “The owner wanted it to feel worn in and like every material, furniture, and decor piece had a story to tell,” Forndran says.
That’s not to say the interior plays it safe, though. In the kitchen, Rosa Portogallo marble was De Francesco and Forndran’s wild card—not just their favorite surface option, but the only one they presented. “We didn’t know if the clients would be receptive to a blush stone, but we felt so strongly about it that it was the only stone option we showed,” De Francesco says.
The pair also took a global approach to procuring decor that made the house feel lived in. “The most effortlessly felt spaces are often the ones that take the greatest amount of time and planning,” Forndran adds. The ceramic tiles on the mudroom backsplash, a mélange of woodland creatures such as ducks, beavers, and butterflies, were created by an artist in England. To further elevate a linen-draped Rose Uniacke canopy bed in a guest bedroom, the team dreamed up a rug design inspired by the silk florals of 18th-century textile designer Anna Maria Garthwaite.
As for the builder-client who shared his perfect cottage dream with the Forward Interiors duo? “Now that the home is complete, it serves as the most beautiful love letter to his wife and two children,” Forndran says.
FAST FACTS
Designer: Forward Interiors
Builder: Ivy Glen Homes
Location: Lake Simcoe, Canada
The Space: A five-bedroom, three-bathroom home across 2,500 square feet
LIVING ROOM
Materiality is the star of the show in this open living space.
Coined the “Lakeview Lounge,” thanks to the cozy sectional and waterfront view, the room centers around a sprawling fireplace, clad in Indiana limestone with a black quartzite mantel. The 60-inch Murano chandelier was sourced in Paris.
DINING AREA
Bare windows make the most of natural light and a vibrant landscape.
The windows in this space were intentionally left undressed to maximize natural light and use the lush greenery as a backdrop. A skirted, Pierre Frey-fabric-covered dining chair mimics the feel of an antique tapestry and anchors the head of the table.
KITCHEN
Rounded countertop corners add a gentle softness.
For their culinary-minded client, Francesco and Forndran created a corner to stash favorite cookbooks. An arched window makes the most of the home’s enviable surroundings.
The 12-foot island leans into the coolness of steel, which beautifully complements the warmer materials surrounding it. Below, Tabarka Studio parquet flooring combines oak and stone for a marriage of materiality.
LIBRARY
Floor-to-ceiling shelves make the most of tall ceilings.
Meant to embrace moments of solitude, the library is outfitted with floor-to-ceiling shelves and a custom ladder for browsing the home’s vintage book collection. “We brought in more vintage books than you could ever imagine and worked to balance artful display with traditional book storage,” says Francesco. “The number of times items were moved an inch one way and a quarter of an inch back is truly something only an interior designer or stylist can appreciate.”
ENTRY
Wood paneling adds subtle dimension.
A hair-on-hide Global Views mirror and custom concrete console offset the vestibule’s rich paneling and antique terracotta floor, which was expertly planned out in order to appear randomly laid.
BUNK ROOM
Custom drapes give each sleep space privacy.
Inspired by Soho Farmhouse in Oxfordshire, UK, the designers wanted to recreate an eclectic camp feel by fabricating mismatched reclaimed wood walls that appear timeworn and hand-scraped. “The woodwork detailing in this space truly highlights the true craftsmanship that went into the cottage,” says Forndran.
PRIMARY BEDROOM
Wood ceiling details call attention to the room’s unique architectural elements.
Gucci wallpaper acts as a sly nod to the client’s love of fashion while lending the impression that the room is perched in a tree canopy. A curved storage bench at the foot of the bed adds an artful element.
SON’S BEDROOM
An inky blue Roman clay finish brings texture to the walls and ceiling.
Moody blues, luscious browns, and soothing tans work in tandem to create a space that feels both playful and cozy. Apparatus sconces were the jumping-off point for the design, even though they were purchased years before the renovation kicked off.
About the Designers
Established in 2022 by Clare Forndran and Danielle De Francesco, Forward Interiors is a full-service design firm dedicated to curating interior spaces that are executed with the highest level of detail and creative vision. At the heart of Forward’s work is a belief that the most compelling spaces are those that embrace contrast, where timeless forms meet contemporary gestures designed to provoke thought and conversation. This nuanced approach results in spaces that feel effortlessly chic and serve as unapologetic celebrations of each unique client.
