Steeped in Old World splendour

[Huligar]

Aug. 5, 2006. 01:00 AM
ALEX NEWMAN
SPECIAL TO THE STAR

Like an attractive person seen from afar, the model home at the Estates of Gordon Creek is sure to cause a flutter of desire in most hearts.
These homes are not about laid back simplicity, though the appointments are comfortable enough. They're statements of solid established splendour with stone cladding, gables, shutters and copper roof portions.
Designer Robert McGregor who designed and decorated the model says: "To tell you the truth, I'm not sure who will buy here, but the setting was quite specific. The area is quiet with older homes, lots of trees and open space. So I was aiming for a look that would go with the style of the house and the neighbourhood � Old World with modern conveniences, if I were pressed to define it."
That decision led to colour choices � a historical palette of beige-greys and greens from Benjamin Moore � and to furnishings, trim upholstered pieces coupled with end tables in burnished mahogany, dark wenge wood, and delicate brass and glass.
Fabrics are on the luxurious side � deep comfortable chenilles, hand-embroidered crewel cushions, silk drapes with tassels � balanced by rougher metals and materials, like the wrought iron staircases, hammered metal suspended lanterns, limestone floors, coral stone fireplace.
Some decor choices are unexpected, like a round dining table surrounded by six antique cane chairs, or the quaint and delicate table lamp with silk shade that sits prettily on a mid-century French brass side table; black and white toile drapes in the windows of the casual country family room.
Many of the features of the home enhance that Old World look: the uneven barnboard effect of the wide-plank floors; the acid-washed surface of the kitchen's chocolate brown marble (acid washing raises the veins in marble, and gives it a long lasting, durable and beautiful patina); and the free-standing island that McGregor says could just as easily be a found object, or antique furniture topped with granite.
The challenge with a house this large is to furnish it without blowing the budget. McGregor advises spending money wisely by investing first in the things that have "legs" � the kitchens and master bath. In the kitchen, good quality cabinets go to the ceiling, and offer lots of storage, granite counters and stainless appliances are long lasting, and hardwood floors are durable. In the entryway and halls, McGregor used porcelain tiles for relatively low-cost flooring that looks great.
He's particularly proud of one cost-saving element that looks expensive � the coffered ceilings in the front hall, living and dining rooms, which was constructed out of MDF trimmed along the sides.
The palette, selected from a historical palette of greyed-out greens and beiges, changes from room to room. This works nicely, McGregor says, in a home where the rooms unfold on, rather than open onto, one another.
This allows a glimpse of colours and shades from one space to another, creating a feeling of rooms going on forever. Avoid radical colour changes, however, McGregor says, because that's too jarring for the eye.
These changes were possible with the floor plan � a large square footprint with an eight-foot wide, two-storey, grand hall running throughout the main floor. The vistas seen throughout the home to the back give a feeling of space and light.
To the left of the entryway and foyer, the living and dining area provide a comfortable spot for more formal entertaining. The tailored sofa and quirky mid-century modern style side chairs, upholstered in neutral chenille, are grouped round a formal fireplace.
Silk drapes hang heavily from wrought iron rods in the living and adjoining dining room, with its round table, six cane-back chairs and simple pendant lamp.
The powder room, a step below the main floor, boasts a 13-foot ceiling. Instead of capping it, McGregor chose instead to accentuate it by suspending a chandelier over the vanity. "It's a quaint but sophisticated room, all done in dark chocolate, grass-cloth walls, trim painted the same dark chocolate, and tiny one by two mosaic tiles."
McGregor says small rooms like the powder can take a dark palette as long as the trim is painted the same colour to avoid chopping the room with a stark contrast of dark and light.

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	limestone LIMESTONE A sedimentary rock composed of calcium carbonate.

	Marble MARBLE: CHARACTERISTICS This standard includes general information on the characteristics and common uses of marble and identifies typical problems associated with the material. INTRODUCTION Marble is an extremely hard, metamorphic stone composed of calcite (CaCO3). It is formed as a result of the recrystallization of limestone under the intense pressure and heat of geologic processes. The effect of this process is the creation of a stone with a very tight crystalline structure and small but definite porosity. Because of its structure, marble can take a very high polish and is a very popular decorative stone for architectural and sculptural uses. The limited porosity of marble, especially polished marble, makes it less vulnerable to the leaching effects of water. Calcium carbonate, however, of which marble is composed, is highly susceptible to attack by acidic agents. Marble is readily dissolved by acids, even very dilute acids, however the actual results of acidic exposure will vary with the nature of the acid. Chlorides, nitrates, sulfates and other chemical compounds react differently with marble and produce various by-products, which have a wide range of solubility and impact on the durability of marble. For this reason, it is always important to determine the exact type of pollutants causing marble deterioration. Marble itself can be of two types, one composed of calcite and the other of dolomite. Dolomitic marble is much more resistant to acid attack than calcite marble. The color of marble ranges from the brilliant white of calcite to black, including blue-gray, red, yellow and green, depending upon the mineral composition. TYPICAL USES Marble has many decorative and structural uses. It is used for outdoor sculpture as well as for sculpture bases; in architecture it is used in exterior walls and veneers, flooring, decorative features, stairways and walkways. The way in which the stone is used may be a factor in limiting or controlling the severity of exposure. The use or function of the marble may also affect the feasibility of applying certain treatments, but type of use is not the primary factor in the major types of deterioration and damage to which marble is susceptible.