Corey and Lauren Mandell with their lovely young daughters are the happy owners of this magnificent home. They are also a busy, energetic, hard-working family that deserves a haven like this to come home to. Corey owns and operates Camp Timberlane in Haliburton, north of Toronto, for some 500 children as well as Mandell Entertainment, which produces and co-ordinates largescale corporate events. Lauren, 35, is a stay-at-home mother of three.
“We needed a changeable space. A young family like ours grows fast.” says Lauren.
“I am a neat and organized person, so I wanted something that looked clean, yet I needed it to be warm and cozy as well as classy and upscale. Corey and I had different tastes, so although we both liked the more-or-less traditional house we had bought, when it came to designing and redecorating it, we realized quickly that we needed help. That’s where Merick came in and we are so lucky we found her.”
Talking with Merick Gollan of Merigo Design Inc. quickly endorses that sentiment. It’s obvious that she loves what she does and does what she loves. She puts herself right into the heart of the family’s situation and visualizes things from their viewpoint.
In this case, a young family just expecting their third child will clearly need spaces that can change rapidly from nursery to toddler to kindergarten without losing its elegance and creating rooms that will keep their sparkle as the family grows.
Merick likes to choose colour that travels throughout the house; a colour you love and that will provide consistency. In the Mandell’s case, that colour is sable.
The Mandell’s enjoy entertaining friends and family, and Lauren loves to cook homemade meals with a flair—somewhat traditional with a twist of gourmet. Merick designed the dining room accordingly, creating a textural space that’s both warm and bright. The table is always open for 12 and can be easily stretched to 16. The room itself is fairly neutral, but pops of colour are brought in via floral arrangements and dishes, which can be changed seasonally.
One of the challenges the Mandells faced was their basic differences. Corey prefers a modern look, while Lauren’s style is French country with a strong leaning toward traditional elements.
To the young mother, feeling cozy and comfortable was a high priority. Both of them wanted elegance though—an adaptable, flexible kind of elegance. And Merick rose to the challenge, her expertise shining brightly as she skillfully integrated all of the above until you could barely tell where one began and the other ended.
“Design is livable art. It unites vision, elegance and idealism with practical, functional individuality,” says Merick.
The Mandell family loves their decorated home. It is their haven and their place of joy.
Sources:
Space designed by; Merigo Design, www.merigo.ca
Photography; Donna Griffith; www.donnagriffith.com
Paint; Benjamin Moore Anchor Gray 2126-30, www.benjaminmoore.com
Mobile; Pottery Barn Kids, www.potterybarnkids.com
Chandelier; Union lighting, www.unionlightingandfurnishings.com
Drapes; Merigo Design, www.merigo.ca
Drapery Fabric; Designer Fabric Outlet
Paint; Benjamin Moore 2116-60 Touch of Gray, www.benjaminmoore.com
Bed; Merigo Design, www.merigo.ca
Swing Arm Lights; Union Lighting, www.unionlightingandfurnishings.com
Night Table; HomeSense, www.homesense.ca
Sheets; Au Lit Fine Linens, www.aulitfinelinens.com
Euro Shams and Shams; Merigo Design, www.merigo.ca
Drapery Fabric; Ralph Lauren, www.ralphlauren.com
Armoire; Sarried ltd, www.sarreid.com
Wallpape;, Ralph Lauren, www.ralphlauren.com
Paint; Benjamin Moore CC 490 Stone Hearth, www.benjaminmoore.com
Chairs; Merigo Design, www.merigo.ca
Chair Fabric; Kravet, www.kravet.com
Calvin Klein; www.calvinklein.com
Chandelier; Currey and Co., www.curreycodealers.com
Drapery Fabric; Kravet, www.kravet.com
Buffet; John Richard, www.johnrichard.com
Wallpaper; Ralph lauren, www.ralphlauren.com
Table; John Richard, www.johnrichard.com
Sconces; Hudson Valley, www.hudsonvalleylighting.com
Runner; Y & Co, www.ycocarpet.com
Flower Image and Framing; PI Fine Art, www.picreativeart.com
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