The Bohemian

Canadian Home Builder's Association National Award for Housing Excellence Winner 2021 for Best Production Home > 2800 square/ft 

The Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO) Dream Home 2020 in the Minto Mahogany community located in Manotick, Ontario is a 4700 square foot, 2.5 storey, 4 bedroom home with a screened-in porch and upper level loft space.  The interior reflects a Bohemian aesthetic; a more casual layered decorating style with lots of texture and pattern.  An earthly colour palette was chosen with finishes such as rustic wood, terracotta tiles, old world brick, heritage green interior doors, honed counters, plaster-colored walls, and warm metals such as bronze and antique gold.  To complete the design, the home was layered with oatmeal upholstery, macrame, fringe, hand embroidered wall hangings, baskets, vintage looking Persian runners, and lots of greenery.  Texture was created from decor with a more worn-in, crafted look.  Since Boho style stems from travellers, artists, or writers, touches of the exotic are plentiful.  Moorish influences as found in Spain and Morocco are reflected in the arch, diamond, and star motifs and through the patterned wallpapers and textiles like the hand embroidered Suzani in the loft.  Hand-carved Indian style wooden accent pieces are artisan-inspired and rough-hewn architectural ceiling beams reinforce the character.  This home conjures up the feelings of warmth, comfort and safety while making us feel transported to another part of the world; something we all wish to feel in our homes in such uncertain times brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.