Lola Residence
Set along a quiet countryside road, this linear family home by Jade and Roland Skuce blends old and new with ease. Nothing feels forced; instead, the approach is practical, organic and reflective of the designers’ way of life.
The expansive land surrounding Lola Residence carries a quietness that sets the tone for the entire dwelling, shaping its orientation and connection to the outdoors. Finely tuned by landscape designer Melanie Rokla, this link to nature creates a cohesive experience across all seasons, balancing the robust interior with the raw exterior.
Timber framing sits at the heart of Roland’s work, making it a natural starting point for the design. Pine was selected for its warmth and ability to patina beautifully over time, with lightly smoked oak kitchen cabinetry, flooring and unlacquered brass chosen to complement this foundation.
Designed to withstand the extreme weather conditions of the Hillsburgh countryside in Ontario, the residence draws on the strength of traditional timber frame joinery. “[It’s] one of the oldest and most proven building systems in the world, built to last generations,” Jade says. “The structure itself handles the extremes well, and the wood-burning fireplace adds both warmth and character through the colder months.” Timber framing is also inherently sustainable: wood is renewable, naturally carbon-sequestering and, in this case, locally sourced in Ontario, making it a true Canadian product from forest to frame.
Moments of colour appear in the powder room and children’s bedrooms, introducing soft, dusty tones largely reserved for the home’s more intimate spaces. “When you step into a room like that, the scale itself creates a sense of immersion, Jade says. “The colour wraps around you and the whole space becomes an experience. In the timber-framed main living areas, the wood and the windows do the talking. But in the powder room and the kids’ rooms, I wanted a distinct feeling, a sense that you’ve arrived somewhere different.”
Anchored by a quartzite benchtop and the natural oak cabinetry, the kitchen has a quality of light that makes it an especially inviting place to spend time. In contrast, the primary wing feels spacious and serene, overlooking a backyard garden of river birches, echinacea, lavender and native grasses, where deer make quiet appearances. It is this coexistence between the home and the rhythms of the surrounding landscape that defines Lola Residence.
