Todd Korol/The Globe and Mail
Lara Smith's Calgary home also functions as the headquarters of Lusomé, her recently launched brand of moisture-wicking women's pyjamas. She shares the home with her fiancé, Jim Little, the chief marketing officer of Shaw Communications, and their blended family of four kids. It wasn't easy to find a house big enough to accommodate everyone along with a growing business (Lusomé, which launched in March, is sold in 40 boutiques across North America). At 5,000 square feet, the newly built home fit the bill; the Smith-Little family moved in June. Located in Elbow Park, it features a show-stopping stone fireplace in the living room. "It's the hub of the house, right off the kitchen," Smith says of the space. "We wanted to create something beautiful that was also functional [enough] for the kids to enjoy."
The chairs
"They are twill with nail-head finishes – quite formal but super-comfortable."
The cushions
"The whole space is very neutral and calm – these provide the only pop of colour. We like red and use it as an accent colour throughout the house."
The sofas
"They are a cotton-poly velvet – very deep, super comfortable and great for lounging. There are two of them because we wanted to create a conversational area with people facing each other. They are informal and I like how they contrast with the elegance of the chairs."
The tree painting
"This is by Canadian artist Peter Hoffer. We found it at a gallery in Calgary called Newzones. It's a tree in a theatrical landscape. To me, it is reminiscent of the Alberta foothills but done in a modern way."
The flower painting
"It is a vase of flowers by Canadian artist Danièle Rochon. Jim got it in a gallery in Montreal. I love impressionistic paintings. This one adds another pop of red to the room."
The fireplace
"It is the focal point. We intentionally chose not to put anything over it. It's made of natural stone from B.C. Much of our time is spent in front of this fireplace, especially now that it's cooler. It adds a nice glow to the room."
The coffee table
"The coffee table also holds extra cushions and blankets. I like the architectural heft of it. It anchors the room. And I've always found having black in a room gives it a feeling of elegance. That's the theme of our home."