Designing with a View: Lakefront Living Room

Ted wanted to do something special—really special—for Leanna. He told me it was time to upgrade their lakefront living room, but he wasn’t sure where to start. He just knew it had to be beautiful, thoughtful, and one-of-a-kind.

With a view like theirs, overlooking the peaceful waters of Grace Lake, Ontario, we knew the design needed to honour that view—not compete with it. That was our goal from the start: create something soft and stunning that would still let the lake take centre stage.

Choosing the Right Window Treatment

We talked through what they were hoping for—something elegant, easy to use, and that still gave them privacy when needed. Leanna had been using traditional sheers, but she wanted a clearer view and a more modern feel.

That’s when I suggested the Luminette Privacy Sheers by HunterDouglas. I knew they’d be the perfect fit – sheer fabric to keep the lake view open and airy, built-in UV protection to protect their furniture and adjustable vanes to manage sunlight and privacy throughout the day.

It was exactly what they needed—beautiful and functional, with just the right touch of luxury.

Design Inspiration – Leanna’s Love for Blue

Leanna had mentioned that she loved the colour blue, so I started there. The walls were a soft blue tone, and they had a gorgeous rug they wanted to keep—those gave me the foundation for the palette.

We went through a few fabric options together—florals, geometrics, textures—and then we found it. The one. A beautiful blue velvet with just the right weight and flow. It was soft, elegant, and set the tone for everything else. Leanna’s face lit up the second she saw it, and I knew we’d found our hero fabric.

Leanna loved the colour and we built the rest of the design around the blue colour she loved.

While I was still at their home, I started sketching a few ideas.  I played around with curves and asymmetry and showed a few initial thoughts. Leanna looked at me and said:

“Go ahead—we trust you. Just let us know what you come up with.” – Leanna

There’s no better gift a designer can receive than that kind of creative freedom.

The Lambrequin: A Custom Detail Made Just for Them

Back at the studio, I couldn’t stop thinking about how to make the window a true showpiece. I knew I wanted to create something unique—something you’d never find in a store. That’s when the idea of a custom lambrequin came to life.

A lambrequin is a tailored, decorative top treatment that adds structure, elegance, and drama. I designed a sweeping, asymmetrical drop—one side reached the ceiling, the other curved down in soft, wave-like lines, just like the water outside their window.

Layering Textures for a Luxe Finish

Choosing the right mix of fabrics is one of my favourite parts of the process. For this project, I pulled together a collection that felt cohesive, calming, and luxurious – a sleek white fabric with a soft wave texture, a warm pale grey boucle for softness, light linen blue with subtle white detailing with a rich navy with hints of gold (we made this one stand out by wrapping it separately and mounting it as a raised piece). Each fabric played a role in the overall design—and together, they told a story.

Bringing It All to Life—With a Little Help from Family

Once I had the green light, it was time to build. I headed to the woodshop, traced the template, and made the first cut (which was both nerve-wracking and exciting!). As a family business who designs, fabricates and installs we have the ability to create unique designs. On creating this design, I’m lucky to have help. I called in my dad to help me with the sanding and cutting, and my mom came in to help with the piping. We laughed, chatted, and watched the whole thing come together piece by piece. This is going to be a design project I will cherish forever.

As the design started coming together I thought about Leanna and how Ted wanted to surprise her with a unique design and I thought about how we worked as a family to put it together and realized these are the kinds of projects that remind me why I love what I do.

Install Day: The Magic Moment

Installation day is always my favourite part. We arrived at their place, measured everything twice (okay, maybe three times), and mounted the lambrequin and drapery with care.

When we installed everything, Ted and Leanna waited patiently in the next room and asked them not to peek until it was done. When they walked in, their faces said everything.

We hung the treatment, steamed the fabric, adjusted every detail… and then finally, the big reveal.

Ted and Leanna’s Reaction

“Oh my goodness, it’s beautiful. It’s stunning. I couldn’t have imagined it—it’s more than my mind could ever come up with. It just fits—it belongs there.” – Leanna

“You couldn’t buy anything like that. It’s exactly what I wanted—completely original. Absolutely stunning.” – Ted

When design is personal, the results are powerful

From sketches and fabrics to sawdust and stitches, this lakefront project was a full-circle experience. Ted and Leanna trusted me to bring their space to life—and I poured everything into making it meaningful and beautiful.

That’s what I love most: creating window treatments that are more than just decor. They’re personal, functional, artistic expressions of the space—and the people who live in it.