Five Design

Minimalism meets Grandeur.

- Krista Deverson

Impeccable design is not simply a function of creativity, but of problem-solving as well. A thoughtful design is purposeful, well-considered, and successfully overcomes challenges in the process of moving from plan to execution. Naturally, when realizing a design from initial idea through the construction process, challenges arise that test the design’s functionality and flow in real life. For her latest project, Tanja Grmusa of Five Design encountered challenges from the very beginning, but her expert skill and determination to stay true to her design allowed her to smoothly navigate the obstacles as they came up.

The Scandinavian inspired modern-yet traditional-home has a unique look that perfectly melds different aesthetics and blends seamlessly into the olde Dundas, Ontario neighbourhood. Blending the contemporary look of the home with the traditional style of the neighbourhood was the first challenge Grmusa encountered.

Surrounded by small cottages dating back to the 1800s and early 1900s, she didn’t want the home to tower over the other properties, nor look terribly out of place stylistically. Conversely, she still wanted a home large enough to accommodate her family and one that had a modern look to it.

Furthermore, when she tore down the turnof-the-century home that had previously occupied the lot, she felt the concerns of neighbours who didn’t want to sacrifice the olde world charm of their neighbourhood. To harmonize these two design styles, she worked with architectural designer David Carrothers from Carrothers & Associates to keep the home’s appeal true to its roots and make it large enough for a 5-person family while still small enough to fit into the neighbourhood.

Since starting Five Design, she has always appreciated a complicated design because she enjoys the feat of getting things to look just the way she intended.