At home with: Robin Fraser

Restaurant Makeover interior designer speaks about the influence family has on decor

BY: Leroy Graham

It's not every day that the opportunity presents itself to spend the day with one of Canada's top interior designers. But that was exactly the case when Sway was invited into the home of Robin Fraser, one of the featured designers on the Food Network's Restaurant Makeover. The exposure from the series has helped Fraser become one of Canada's most recognizable designers, which lead to work creating some of North America's most stylish spaces.

"I get a bunch of calls every time the show airs," says Fraser. "It's been a good opportunity and has connected me with new projects to showcase my design touch. TV is such an interesting medium because you reach so many people at once and are instantly in their frame of reference. Then, when it comes to the time they are looking for a designer, they may think of me."

But it is walking into Fraser's own family-friendly home that will likely give prospective clients reason to think of her when it comes time to design. Fraser's mid-town Toronto home, where she lives with her two children, features furniture, spaces and fixtures that put family first.

"My late husband and I looked at over 80 houses during our home search," Fraser recalls. "The funny thing is that this was the first house we saw. But it was a good time to buy so we really did our homework. Finally, I just put my foot down and said, �We are getting this house'. It was one of the best decisions that we ever made and our family has been here ever since."

The Fraser home features high-end furniture, one-of-a-kind artwork, custom cabinetry and a sophisticated palette that might not immediately appear family focused. But behind the stylish design is a well-informed understanding of how space and function work together to meet the needs of a family.

"There is a big difference between decor and design," says Fraser. "Decor is about trends but design is about function, how a space is used. Who will be using it? How will the space work? My home is meant to meet the needs of my family. There are little things that people may not notice.

"For example, the chairs in the dining room are stylish and comfortable, but not so comfortable that people at my dinner parties will stay in them all evening and not move into other areas of the house. In the kitchen, all of the dinnerware, glasses, etc., are located within a reachable height for my kids. The house functions for me, my kids and our guests. That's good design."

Relaxation is the dominating theme on the upper level of the house. A spa-like full bathroom is matched well with Fraser's own room, which serves as a sanctuary from difficult clients and busy after-school activities. "As a single mom and business woman, my days are just jam-packed. When I come upstairs I like to chill out with a good book, or relax listening to music. This is a place of serenity and peace, the colours and furniture choices here just allow me to bring things down and find a space to recharge for the next day."

Fraser's home design has impressed clients, friends and family so much that she often receives inquiries about the prospect of selling her house. But with two growing kids, great community roots, and a house that she adores, moving doesn't seem to be in the cards.

"This house has so many memories for me. So many things have happened here that I don't ever think I could leave," says Fraser. "Even though the house is worth a lot more than when we first purchased, it is not about the money for me. This house has been the scene of our history. It is where we meet with our friends and those we love. This house is an extension of our family... it's our home."