$4.1 million for a Tetris-like house in Oakville inspired by Mark Rothko

Location: Morrison, Oakville Price: $4,198,000 Size: 3,485 square feet plus a 1,898-square-foot basement Bedrooms: 4+1 Bathrooms: 7

Real estate agent: Alex Irish, RE/MAX Escarpment Realty

Related: $11.9 million for a limestone block near Glencairn with four waterfalls

The Place

A four-plus-one-bedroom, seven-bathroom house in Oakville, on a leafy street off Cornwall Road. Just built, the property comes equipped with white stucco exteriors, white-oak floors and bespoke millwork throughout. It also has a basement playground fitted with a bar and a gym that walks out to a big backyard. It’s within walking distance of the lake and half a dozen parks. And motorists are a short drive from downtown Oakville, the Oakville GO station and the QEW.

The History

The current owners purchased the home that once stood on this lot in 2016. In its place, they built a modern marvel designed by Atelier Sun. The firm was inspired by Mark Rothko’s juxtaposition of light and shadow. They completed the project in 2023.

The Place

The façade takes clear cues from Rothko’s black-and-white oil paintings, with its dark siding and stucco.

Ten-foot ceilings lined with oak top the foyer.

A reverse angle highlights the front-to-rear sight lines. The walls here were explicitly designed to display art.

Next to the foyer is the greeting room, with a bespoke LED-lit display and panelled walls.

A closer look highlights the gas fireplace and open-concept layout.

In the dining room: custom millwork (including a dramatic oak arch leading to the hall), jet-black camouflaged cabinets and pendant lights.

Now for the living room, which faces the backyard. Its fireplace mantle is a real show-stopper, made of granite that was finished with a water jet for that natural look and feel.

Here’s how the kitchen, living room and dining area intersect: angular, Japanese in colour palette and full of light.

As for the kitchen, it’s lit by pot lights, under-valance lights and a chandelier that Kandinsky might have hung in his apartment.

This jumbo island is crowned with Caesarstone.

There are Miele appliances throughout, with storage hidden behind the wall panels. That door in the background leads to a walk-in pantry.

Custom metal rails you might find in Miami wrap around the floating staircase.

Moving upstairs reveals the main suite, also with a gas fireplace and a gawk-worthy mantle. The second floor’s ceilings are 10 feet as well.

The main ensuite features heated floors, a soaker tub and a glass shower.

As for the levitating double vanity, it comes with backlit mirrors surrounded by porcelain walls.

Time for the basement, which doesn’t feel underground thanks to its tall ceilings and backyard walkout. It’s complete with a bar, a bedroom and a bathroom, so it could be set up as its own unit.

The owners used this fishbowl as a music room, but it could be outfitted into anything.

Outside, there are a tiered deck for hosting, fences for privacy and a concrete saltwater pool for fun.

Finally, here’s the rear of the house.

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