Elle Patille’s modern horror vacui home

Posted on Fri, 12 Jun 2020 by KiM

I can’t remember how I first came across the Instagram account of designer Elle Patille (@leydi_milagros_design), though I do recall being instantly smitten with her style. In a really profound way. Her Victorian heritage home is located outside of Toronto and I fell in love with every inch of it. And once I saw the before photos I was even more enthralled with her home and her talent as a designer. Her home was very very white not long ago (as seen in this House & Home feature), and I have to applaud her for deciding to do a 180 and go mostly dark. The drama the home now exudes is magical, and the dark backdrop is exactly what was needed to showcase her collection of curiosities. (Yes, there is quite a bit of taxidermy in her home – if you aren’t a fan please move on to the next post and comments on this subject will be removed). Her aesthetic is what she calls modern ‘horror vacui’ (“fear of empty space”) and it’s breathtaking. Also, her and her husband share this home with a slew of dogs and cats so she gets major bonus points for that.

For me, home is a place that understands how you’re feeling and how to comfort you at any given moment.  I knew there was a lot of potential when we purchased our home but I didn’t go into it with a vision. I did however go into it with a lot of emotion which allowed it to take shape without questioning it. In order to achieve this, I needed spaces that were healing and that tapped on every emotion… Spaces that were pretty but at the same time can give you the chills… rooms soft and romantic yet strong and masculine …  dark busy rooms that are thought provoking and bright clean areas that allow for a clear and creative mind. In turn, it became a sort of therapy – a release, psychological turned physical and ultimately it became not just a home for me but rather a refuge.


Rainy says:

What was that?

Beth says:

What an incredible home! Brava!

axie says:

Amazing! And that dining room- wow

[…] For me, home is a place that understands how you’re feeling and how to comfort you at any given moment. I knew there was a lot of potential when we purchased our home but I didn’t go into it with a vision. I did however go into it with a lot of emotion which allowed it to take shape without questioning it. In order to achieve this, I needed spaces that were healing and that tapped on every emotion… Spaces that were pretty but at the same time can give you the chills… rooms soft and romantic yet strong and masculine … dark busy rooms that are thought provoking and bright clean areas that allow for a clear and creative mind. In turn, it became a sort of therapy – a release, psychological turned physical and ultimately it became not just a home for me but rather a refuge.Read More […]

Kelly says:

Oh, my! I adore this! So much courage and confidence here.

Belle says:

this is amazing I love it and the bravery to do it from ho hum to OMG love the dark colours incredible vision

Carol says:

What a great visual mind…the makeover is outstanding.

Jill says:

That is ten millions times better – but – I would not have painted the rock faced fireplace stone.

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