Michael & Gaelyn’s Modern Dream House

updated Dec 19, 2019
We independently select these products—if you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. All prices were accurate at the time of publishing.
Style
Bedrooms
Square feet

2450

Sq ft

2450

Post Image
(Image credit: Carmen Chavarri)

Name: Michael Shaikin, Gaelyn Eyre and baby Wolf
Location: Chelsea, Quebec
Size: 2,450 square feet
Years lived in: 7 months; Owned

House tour cover

Can't-Miss House Tours Straight to Your Inbox

Keep up with our latest house tours each weekday with our House Tour of the Day newsletter

With its towering, glass-fronted facade and the Gatineau river as a backdrop, Michael and Gaelyn’s house is the stuff modern dreams are made of. Having recently welcomed their son Wolf into their family, they are convinced that buying this beautiful property only a 20-minute drive from downtown Ottawa, where they work, has been a great decision.

1 / 41
Michael and Gaelyn’s imposing, modern house by the river (Image credit: Carmen Chavarri)
(Image credit: Carmen Chavarri)

The house’s focal point is the airy, open-plan cooking, dining and living area. Crowned with a 40 feet high vaulted ceiling, the space offers endless possibilities to relax and spend time with family and friends. Impossibly high ceilings don’t come without challenges, though. It is no wonder that Michael regards hanging their Foscarini lamp with the help of a friend and scaffolding as his proudest DIY.

Since moving in only seven months ago, the couple have been busy with renovations and finding the right furnishings to make the most of this stunning space. Their style is unequivocally modern. Fittingly, most of their furniture and accessories are sourced from The Modern Shop, Michael’s furniture and lightning store in Ottawa (We profiled The Modern Shop here!).

(Image credit: Carmen Chavarri)

Apartment Therapy Survey:

Our Style: Modern.

Inspiration: Danish design.

Favorite Element: The windows on the front facade and the living area.

Biggest Challenge: 40ft ceilings make it hard to hang lights!

What Friends Say: That the property is beautiful and we are lucky to be by the river.

Biggest Embarrassment: Our 1980s bathrooms.

Proudest DIY: Hanging the Foscarini light in our 40ft high vaulted ceiling. We needed scaffolding!

Biggest Indulgence: Also the Foscarini light.

Best Advice: Don’t start something you can’t finish!

Dream Sources: The Modern Shop *wink wink*

Resources

(Image credit: Carmen Chavarri)

PAINT & COLORS

All Farrow & Ball:

  • Kitchen/hallway: Pavilion Gray
  • Bedroom: Manor House Gray
  • Fireplace wall: Off-Black
  • Throughout the house: Strong White
(Image credit: Carmen Chavarri)

DINING ROOM AND KITCHEN

  • Allegro Chandelier by Foscarini: The Modern Shop
  • Zio Dining Table by Moooi: The Modern Shop
  • About A Chairs by Hay Denmark: The Modern Shop
  • Ramdom Floor Lamp by Moooi: The Modern Shop
  • Vintage 1950s Danish Rosewood Credenza: Vintage find in the US
  • Hee Barstools by Hay Denmark: The Modern Shop
  • Frama Shelves: The Modern Shop
(Image credit: Carmen Chavarri)

LIVING ROOM

  • Mags Sofa by Hay Denmark: The Modern Shop
  • Slit Table by Hay Denmark: The Modern Shop
  • Turning Table by Menu: The Modern Shop
  • Low Eames chair: Founddesign (Michael was a founder and former owner of Founddesign)
  • The Wooden Shelf by Hay Denmark: The Modern Shop
  • Osburn Soho Woodstove: The Burning Log
  • Menu Daybed: The Modern Shop
  • Clairtone Project G Stereo System: Vintage find in Pennsylvania
  • Antique Quilt Ottoman by Hay Denmark: The Modern Shop
(Image credit: Carmen Chavarri)

BEDROOM

  • Case Study Bed by Modernica: The Modern Shop
  • Vintage Danish Teak Dresser: Founddesign
  • Roscoe Jackson Nightstands: The Modern Shop
  • Various original art
(Image credit: Carmen Chavarri)

Send us your own:

Share your home with Apartment Therapy: House Tour Submission Form

Are you a designer/architect/decorator? Share your residential project: Professional Submission Form.

→ And see all of our past house tours here

Updated daily with fresh tours full of photos for you to pin & enjoy!

Thanks, Michael & Gaelyn!