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40 - The Oakville Beaver, Friday June 27, 2008 www.oakvillebeaver.com Artscene Oakville Beaver · FRIDAY, JUNE 27, 2008 There's no place like home Decorator wins five awards for artistic vision for historic Oakville home By Tina Depko OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF Interior decorating is an art and Gloria Rinaldi seems to have a knack for it. Her vision for a historic home in Oakville garnered five design awards in her company's international design contest held in New York City. She received first place for her makeover designs for the bathroom, second place for her kitchen and dressing room and third place for the master bedroom and living room. "I was hoping to win one, but I never expected to win five," said Rinaldi, who has been an interior decorator for the past 12 years. "These rooms were so beautiful and I really felt connected to them. There were only four Canadians that entered, so it was special to win." Nearly 30 editors from leading home furnishings magazines like Better Homes and Gardens, House and Garden and Good Housekeeping served as judges for the awards presented by Interiors by Decorating Den. There were more than 300 entries this year. Rinaldi won a second place award in 2001 for a child's room, but said winning five awards in one year was an entirely new experience. "It is a lot of work to enter this competition, so it is great when you win," she said. "It takes up to three weeks of my life to create the entries, which have to have photographs, a story about each room and swatches of fabric." They say that behind every great man is a great woman, but in this case, it could be said that behind every great house is a great decorator. And this is true of the Oakville waterfront home located just southeast of Trafalgar and Lakeshore roads. The house was built in 1908. Its first tenant was John T. Lillie, the first principal of Oakville High School. Various families have called it home over the past century, but few have likely bestowed more TLC on the place than Pamela and Michael Monkhouse. The Oakville family moved in seven years ago. The previous owners had allowed the home to fall apart, according to Pamela Monkhouse, but she still fell in love with the dilapidated building. "I walked in and I felt a connection with the house and I had to have it," she said. "It needed everything replaced and was in bad condition, but I was meant to be the keeper of the house. We are never moving again." After substantial exterior and interior renovations, Monkhouse decided to find a decorator to help create her vision. She enlisted the help of Rinaldi in 2004 and the pair have worked tirelessly the past four years, moving from room to room to create their shared decorating vision. "I know what I like, but I have a hard time bringing it to life," Monkhouse said. "When Gloria and I met, we had a connection and she understood what I envisioned. She knew how much I loved the house and she wanted to love it too." The award-winning master bathroom is a favourite room for both women. The walls are painted soft shades of green and blue, as is the exterior of the claw foot tub. Dated ceramic floors were replaced with reclaimed floor planks and wainscoting was added. It is also evident why the judges liked the kitchen. Red dominates, with the colour abundant on the friendly rooster-themed items placed around the room. Old World finishes like tin ceilings and reclaimed plank floors mix with contemporary elements like granite counters and state-of-theart appliances. The quaint, feminine dressing room located between the master bedroom and master bathroom also held a special place in the judges' hearts. The space was formerly a small closet, but became an extra room during renovations. The antique wainscoting was painted a cream colour and the same green hue used for the bedroom was utilized on the walls above. The third place rooms are no less lovely. The master bedroom has a beautiful view, as it faces the lake. The room is given a unique touch with black and white fabrics used for the bedding and window treatments. A black chandelier adds an element of romance. "If I had to pick, the bedroom is my favourite space," Rinaldi said. "It makes me feel quiet and calm when I walk in there. I wish I lived here." Top: Gloria Rinaldi, seated, and homeowner Pamela Monkhouse. PHOTO BY LIESA KORTMANN Centre: The first place master bathroom. Bottom: The third place master bedroom. SUBMITTED PHOTOS See House page 41 CLIP THIS COUPON Join Us For Golf This Season! CLIP THIS COUPON FOR JUNIORS AND ADULTS Still a few spots remaining in our Junior Summer Camps and Adult Golf Clinics. Book your spot NOW! GREEN FEE $65 & CART TAX INC. 905-336-3660 CLIP THIS COUPON EVERY DAY AFTER 3:00 PM GOLF & RIDE PRE-TWILITE SPECIAL CLIP THIS COUPON Bring in this coupon or book on-line at hiddenlake.com Offer expires July 31, 2008