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NATURAL ESCAPE A PEACEFUL SCANDINAVIAN-INSPIRED HOME WAS DESIGNED TO SUPPORT A YOUNG COUPLE’S BUSY LIFESTYLE. BY NESSA PULLMAN | PHOTOS BY DASHA ARMSTRONG
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rying to balance the desire for outdoor living with the convenience of being in the city can be a challenge, but thankfully for the Gouds, they were able to achieve both. Once the pair laid eyes on the 1980s bungalow in James Bay, they were drawn to its quirky small frame and luscious outdoor flora. The interior, however, needed some improvements — at least in the kitchen and bathroom. The Gouds called upon Kelsey MacDougall, founder of N60° Studio, to bring things up to standard with the home’s luxuriant surroundings. “The house certainly had a uniqueness, and we wanted to play to that,” says MacDougall. “I wanted to work with naturalistic components, using a blend of design influences that reflect serene spaces.”
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SPRUCE | SUMMER 2023
The clients — a touring musician and a lawyer — wanted a tranquil place to unwind in when they were both home together, and a retreat space that utilized an outdoor lifestyle. For the interior, MacDougall applied the simple principles of Scandinavian design while the exterior represents the peacefulness of a Japanese garden oasis. What originally started as a kitchen and bathroom upgrade soon turned into a full house renovation — including a charming outdoor living space. As the home was originally built on a designated small-lot subdivision, the renovation faced some permit challenges in order to extend its square footage for a more comfortable living space. Max Shepherdson, founder of Maxwell Developments, was brought in to make it all happen.