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Modern Toronto Retreat: Montana Burnett's Moody-Designed Family Home

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  Published in House and Home on Thursday, December 18th 2025 at 16:57 GMT by House & Home

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A Modern Toronto Retreat: The Moody‑Designed Home of Montana Burnett

The latest design jewel in Toronto’s real‑estate scene is a strikingly contemporary family home that blends open‑plan living with a whisper of nature‑inspired warmth. The residence, owned by artist‑designer Montana Burnett and brought to life by the renowned interior‑design firm Moody, is showcased in a full‑page gallery on House & Home’s website. The article walks readers through every inch of the property—from its thoughtful layout and carefully chosen materials to the subtle nods to Burnett’s artistic sensibilities.

1. Location & Architecture

The house sits on a generous parcel in the heart of Toronto’s high‑end West Don–Dufferin district, a neighborhood celebrated for its blend of historic Victorian façades and new luxury developments. The design team chose a mid‑century modern aesthetic that respects the area’s architectural heritage while injecting a fresh, minimalist vibe. The exterior is a clean composition of stucco, warm‑tone timber, and a dramatic slate‑roof that reflects the city’s industrial past. Large, floor‑to‑ceiling windows flood the interior with daylight and frame views of the city’s tree‑lined boulevards.

Moody’s architect, Laura Kim, is also the creative lead on the project. Kim’s portfolio—highlighted on the House & Home “Moody” page—includes several high‑profile Toronto homes that masterfully blend form and function. Her partnership with Burnett was especially fruitful because Burnett’s background in fine arts infused the design with an appreciation for texture, colour, and light.

2. The Floor Plan: Open & Intuitive

The layout is a single‑story open‑plan concept that encourages fluid movement between living, dining, and kitchen zones. This approach not only maximizes space in a relatively modest lot but also creates a continuous visual corridor that feels both airy and connected.

• Living Room: The central space is defined by a low‑profile coffered ceiling and a recessed fireplace. The hearth is an elegant stone feature, serving as a visual anchor that directs attention to the adjacent window and balcony. A large L‑shaped sofa is positioned to face both the fireplace and the city view, creating an inviting conversation area.

• Dining & Kitchen: A contemporary dining table seats eight and sits beneath a dramatic pendant light crafted from reclaimed glass. The kitchen, while compact, is a culinary dream: a long island with a waterfall edge, a custom‑built sub‑wet bar, and a state‑of‑the‑art range and refrigerator from Subzero. The cabinetry is a soft, matte finish that blends seamlessly into the wall, while the backsplash is a subtle, textured concrete that adds an industrial twist.

• Master Suite: The bedroom is tucked behind a frosted glass wall that provides privacy while still letting in natural light. The space includes a spacious walk‑in closet with built‑in organizers and a spa‑like ensuite bathroom that boasts a freestanding tub, a glass‑enclosed rain shower, and a large mirror that doubles as a statement art piece.

• Additional Bedrooms & Study: Two well‑lit bedrooms are positioned near the back of the house, providing privacy for guests or children. A dedicated study sits on the first floor, its built‑in desk and bookcase offering a quiet place for work or creative projects. The study’s wall is painted in a deep charcoal, creating a contrast with the lighter, neutral tones throughout the rest of the home.

3. Design Palette & Materials

Burnett and Moody were committed to a neutral colour palette punctuated with rich, natural textures. The walls were painted in a soft greige that provides a calm backdrop for the interior décor, while accent walls feature reclaimed cedar and raw‑edge stone.

Flooring plays a crucial role in tying the home together. The living room and kitchen feature wide‑lay, kiln‑burned maple that offers both durability and visual warmth. The bedrooms, by contrast, use a plush, hand‑woven jute rug that adds a tactile element and a hint of texture.

In terms of fixtures and hardware, the design incorporates sleek, brushed‑nickel fittings for light fixtures and bathroom accessories. The choice of brushed nickel over chrome was a conscious decision to keep the overall aesthetic subtle and sophisticated. The kitchen faucets are a brushed‑bronze model that gives a hint of warmth without overpowering the space.

4. Natural Light & Outdoor Connection

Moody’s approach to light is evident throughout the house. In addition to the large windows and skylights, the design cleverly incorporates canted glass walls that channel daylight into the kitchen and dining areas. The living room’s window spans the length of the wall, giving the space a panoramic view of Toronto’s skyline and the distant Don River.

The back patio is a private oasis that extends from the kitchen and dining area. It features a built‑in pergola that offers shade, a stone patio floor that is both low‑maintenance and visually interesting, and a built‑in fire pit that turns the space into a year‑round entertainment area. The patio is complemented by a small, landscaped garden that showcases native plants and a vertical garden wall that adds greenery to the view.

5. Artistic Touches & Personalization

Because Montana Burnett is an artist, the home reflects his personal taste and creative ethos. He selected a hand‑crafted mural for the kitchen island, depicting a subtle landscape that nods to the Toronto waterway system. The art pieces are placed strategically throughout the home—such as a mixed‑media sculpture in the living room and a series of framed prints in the study—creating a dialogue between the built environment and the artistic narrative.

Moreover, the design team collaborated with local artisans to produce custom window seats made from reclaimed oak, providing cozy spots for reading and reflecting. Each window seat was also incorporated with a hidden storage niche, showcasing Moody’s knack for combining beauty with function.

6. Sustainability & Smart Technology

The article also highlights the home’s sustainability credentials. A solar panel array on the roof provides a significant portion of the house’s electricity needs, and the building is fitted with a rainwater harvesting system that waters the outdoor garden. Smart home integration is woven throughout the home: an advanced HVAC system, automated blinds, and a smart lighting system that adjusts colour temperature based on the time of day and occupant activity.

7. Conclusion

The Moody‑designed Montana Burnett home exemplifies how contemporary design can harmonize with Toronto’s architectural context while still expressing a distinct personal voice. By marrying a minimalist colour palette with natural materials, carefully curated art, and thoughtful technological integration, the house becomes a sanctuary that feels both open and intimate. For anyone seeking inspiration for a Toronto residence—or a modern home in any urban setting—the House & Home feature provides a masterclass in how to fuse style, comfort, and sustainability into a single, elegant living space.