Inside a grand Georgian home filled with charming original details and chic modern updates

CBC

27-02-2025

Kotn co-founder Mackenzie Yeates is bringing new life to her space with art, personal touches and big plans
When Mackenzie Yeates first went to see her Georgian house in Toronto's Lawrence Park neighbourhood, its details drew her in. She appreciated the original mouldings, windows and plaster rosettes, and felt the impressive entryway and winding staircase were like something out of a movie.
Still, there were changes that Yeates made within months. She wanted to replace the terracotta tiles in the foyer and had handmade concrete tiles with a limestone look laid down. She and her family took on basement and kitchen improvements themselves. Downstairs, they painted and installed carpet to create an attractive yet sturdy space her kids could own, while upstairs, they brightened the backsplash and cabinets of the back-of-house kitchen.
But the grandest of Yeates's plans is yet to come to fruition: she intends to move the kitchen to the formal dining area, a large room off the stately entryway with a fireplace to boot. It seems just right for a home where the principal bedroom flaunts a chandelier, another fireplace and alabaster sconces that emit a moonlight-like glow.
I think not being precious with things — allowing counters to get stained, and furniture and floors to get scuffed up a little — is what makes a place feel warm, inviting and authentic.
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(CBC Life)
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Caption: One large area comprises the living room and dining room, allowing for family and guests to gather en masse and move freely. (CBC Life)
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It's also a place where memories with friends and family are created regularly — her parents live just two blocks away — and where cherished art is displayed. A few standouts include timeless pieces by her father and family friend Jeffrey Harrison, and a wall-sized, decidedly modern photo by Sarah Blais (created to promote Kotn, the Canadian clothing and textiles brand that Yeates co-founded).
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Caption: Yeates enjoys working in the sunroom. Extending off the dining room, the space is also where the family naturally gathers after meals. (CBC Life)
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Watch this episode of On the Inside to see how Yeates has brought her vision to life thus far. And read on for more about her decor inspiration and approach.
Mackenzie Yeates on home decor and design
(As told to CBC Life. These answers have been edited and condensed.)
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Caption: Yeates in her living room, seated near a wall-sized photo from a Kotn photo shoot. (CBC Life)
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I would describe my home design style as classic, warm and a little bit European. I make this esthetic my own by displaying artwork and other items that have a lot of personal meaning to me.
I love natural materials, and my splurges will always be wood furniture, marble and trees. I then like to mix in some modern pieces, like my dining table and chairs that are more mid-century, or provocative photography.
I'm constantly clocking inspiration everywhere I go…
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Caption: A large armoire in the entryway sits in between two distinctly designed doorways. The arched doorway leads to the dining room, and was designed to mimic an arched passageway in the upstairs hallway. (CBC Life)
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The layout of my home is one of its most interesting features. Its rambling design creates distinct zones, each with its own potential for a unique mood and design style. The openness of the front entry and the upstairs landing adds a sense of tranquility, acting as peaceful "white space" within the overall flow of the house.
As a Georgian Revival home, its decorative elements are more understated compared to the ornate details of, say, Victorian architecture. This simplification makes it easier to strike a balance between honouring its historical character and maintaining a contemporary esthetic.
I've always been someone who relies very heavily on my intuition. I'm constantly clocking inspiration everywhere I go and storing it in my brain to be pulled out at random times. With this being my own home, it's been a very gut-focused process, choosing things I truly love but also things that will be comfortable and easy to live with.
I think not being precious with things — allowing counters to get stained, and furniture and floors to get scuffed up a little — is what makes a place feel warm, inviting and authentic.