Coery 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 at Haliburton, north of Toronto, for some 500 children as well as Mandell Entertainment which produces and co-ordinates large scale corporate events. Lauren at 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 color that travels throughout the house; a color you love and that will provide consistency. In the Mandell’s case, it is sable.
The Mandell family enjoys entertaining friends and family; 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 twelve and can be easily stretched to sixteen. 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 towards 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.
Merick says, “Design is livable art. It unites vision, elegance and idealism with practical, functional individuality.” and it appears she is telling the truth.
The Mandell family loves their decorated home. It is their haven and their place of joy.
Text Betty Barkman, Photography Donna Griffith
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
- Wallpaper, 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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