If you have driven the Niagara River Parkway through Queenston, it is impossible to miss the dazzling home with the spectacular view that locals have taken to calling "the big red house." It is similarly unimaginable not to wonder—perhaps with some trepidation—just what lies behind that eye-popping exterior. Rest easy. 
In fact, a collaboration between the homeowners and Brent Pym of Pym and Cooper Custom Homes has produced a dwelling that is awash in colour, exquisite in its taste and detail, and—most important for its occupants—comfortably but luxuriously liveable. The inspiration for this 4,600-square-foot home came from a photo the couple saw in a magazine. "The homeowners came to our firm with a picture of a home that they liked, but the interior wasn't what they were after," begins Brent Pym. "Designer Lisa Roy worked with the clients and the picture of the house they saw, changing the interior layout to suit their specific needs in terms of square footage and layout." The final product is a magnificent sprawling home with views of the Niagara River and beyond. 
"We wanted an open concept home and the ability to use every room," the homeowner begins. "Because it is open concept you can see each room from the next, with each opening up to the backyard and the views of the river. We built our house to capture the view." Indeed, stepping into the foyer of the home, the whole house unfolds before you. High ceilings, expansive windows and a step-down area ensure that regardless of where you are in the home, you're in a room with a view. 
"The biggest challenge of this home was setting the proper grades, positioning it properly on the lot to maximize the landscape," Pym explains. "We worked with various elevations between the front and back of the home, and took into account the pool and landscaping in our building." Although it was a challenge, the time and effort put into the placement of the home have paid off. The home seems as though it grew up from the ground—that it is sitting exactly where nature intended it to be. Beyond the spectacular view of the home and river, the foyer also draws your attention to the homeowners' taste for beautiful things. New to the area, they had to travel eight hours each time they came to see the construction progress. "We had stayed at the Riverbend Inn when we were in town where our house was being built, and we loved the chandeliers they had," explains the homeowner. "They told us about Bob King, who we then met. We saw his work and told him we knew we needed something pretty substantial." Intrigued by what he had done, the homeowners travelled to Toronto to see one of King's large commercial pieces. 
What they saw convinced them he was the man for the job, and so the Queenston-based King was commissioned to do some of the lighting for the home. The large waterfall-inspired, crystal chandelier, which is about eight feet (2.4 metres) long, was his custom creation for their home. Inspired by their proximity to the Falls and paying tribute to the natural beauty of the Niagara River, the Falls chandelier casts a shimmering light into the foyer. King also created the sconces on the wall and the two smaller scale stairwell pieces. Standing beneath the soft reflecting light of the Falls chandelier, guests are transported to a world of beauty, a melding of in and outside living. While many designers, builders and architects discuss "bringing the outdoors in," nowhere is this as evident as in this home. 
Standing at the front doors, visitors are greeted not only with stunning interior design with saturated, vibrant hues, but also with floor-to-ceiling windows and the immaculately landscaped backyard, including an infinity pool that seems to be a part of the river. "We love colour, so we have a lot of colour in our home," the homeowner explains. "Maybe our taste of colour comes from having lived in Newfoundland, but whatever the reason, we love colour and so we've used it in our home." And to great success—plays on reds, cranberry, burgundy, yellows and golds—each room in the common area of the home is both unique and connected. Like a perfectly planned bouquet of fresh wildflowers, the interior has a natural connectedness that creates flow otherwise reserved for neutral pallets. "I enjoy going into neutral homes, but it just wasn't for us," she continues. "We just aren't comfortable in a neutral pallet it isn't home to us."
Today, many people decorate according to design standards and resale. Not so for these homeowners, who decorated for living their way. "Every room is completely different; it gives us a great feeling when we walk into any room," her husband continues. "Everyone comments to us that our house is so comfortable, that it flows. It makes you feel good that people enjoy your home as much as you do."
Even the kitchen, which stands in a cool contrast of whites, grays and slate, is a far cry from neutral. The spacious kitchen and its large island are ideal for entertaining, but entertaining others wasn't the driving force behind the design; instead it was designed more to serve the couple in their daily enjoyment of the home. "The house was built the way we wanted it and the way we hoped to enjoy our view, not for entertaining or to serve any other purpose," the husband explains. However, when family and friends stay over, as they often do, they're made to feel instantly at home in one of the two guest wings, one of which is fondly referred to as the "west wing."
Continuing on the theme of serving the homeowner, the master suite provides them with ultimate luxury. Designed in calming blue and deep chocolate tones, the space exudes a peaceful vibe. Expertly appointed, the master suite is bathed in natural light, offering postcard picture views, and also features a large, romantic bathroom, superb walk-in closet, and fitness room. As with the public areas of the home, the master suite caters to the homeowners' every need and desire.
The home leaves a profound impression on all who visit. According to the homeowners, many stop to take a picture and ask questions. In the end, though, their home wasn't built for anyone but them, and they're more than happy with the results. NMI
