Meaningful Connections
STORY LORI DAVIS | PHOTOGRAPHY ALEX LUKEY
Featured in Southern Georgian Bay - Fall/Holiday 2025
Before she designed full-scale interiors, Jane Lockhart crafted miniature ones – meticulously building furniture for her dollhouses, each piece a tiny reflection of the style and precision that would one day define her career. “I always knew I wanted to be an architect or interior designer,” she says. Jane worked tirelessly at her brother’s workbench, creating cardboard houses, an apt internship for her future ambitions.
After earning her Bachelor of Applied Arts in Interior Design from Ryerson University (now TMU), Jane began building a multifaceted career in television, publishing and public speaking. In 1997, she founded her firm, Jane Lockhart Design, specializing in design and renovation for retail, hospitality, homebuilding and residential clients.
Jane believes the right design helps clients interact positively with their environment. “I have always been fascinated by how people move through their personal space,” she says. “It changes how they feel. No matter how small the space, you can arrange it to feel better. There is always a solution, and it doesn’t have to be a full-scale renovation.” Rather than settle for off-the-shelf, Jane champions bespoke creations made precisely for the space and the people in it. “It’s not that much more money to go custom, and you are getting exactly what you want,” she says.
Her passion for innovative design and her ability to foster meaningful connections with clients set Jane and her team apart. Her goal is to help clients modify their habitat to match their personality. “We are highly tuned to the clients’ needs, and if you look at our work, we don’t reproduce the same thing over and over,” explains Jane. “We draw inspiration from the client, we spend time with them and live inside their head. If you want something original, that’s where we are really strong.”
Jane’s design philosophy is evident in this six-bedroom, modern farmhouse-style home in The Blue Mountains. With hints of chalet chic, this family home is contemporary, warm and inviting. “Jane and her team spent time getting to know us and our likes and dislikes, which helped inform the whole process,” says the homeowner. “Needless to say, the finished product is beyond what we could have imagined.”
After eight years in their previous home, the owners were drawn to a property with more space, privacy and the added appeal of backing onto a golf course. They were thrilled to work, from start to finish, with Jane, her team and RN Design, a residential design firm. “We have three daughters and each contributed to the design, layout and especially the finishings,” says the homeowner.
Designed with the future in mind, their two-storey walkout, built by Primont Homes, ensures all essentials are conveniently located on the main floor, allowing them to age in place comfortably. The couple wanted an authentic, simple and modern design with a warm, chalet-inspired vibe. “They didn’t give me a technical style; they gave me a feeling,” says Jane. “What do you want it to look like? Warm and inviting. It’s interesting people go to a feeling, not a style.”
Her definition of modern is uncluttered and easy to live in. To keep the design contemporary but cosy, Jane selected a light palette. “It’s like toasted sand, but not so light it’s cold,” she says. She highlighted earthy hues in the hickory hardwood flooring, provided by Weston Flooring Ltd., and in the ceiling beams and millwork. “An authentic Canadian chalet style means wood,” she says. “We used grooved panelling, textured wood flooring and wood insets to capture that idea, but bright and modern in today’s context.” The white oak kitchen cabinetry (Estate Interiors) is subtly stained to mimic the hickory flooring. The island’s quartz top, supplied by New Age Granite & Marble, flows into a partial waterfall edge, lending a sleek, contemporary profile. “The countertop wraps over the top but doesn’t go all the way to the floor, so you get this bead of detail,” says Jane.
The great or lodge room is the homeowners’ favourite space. Soaring 28 feet, this two-storey space combines scale with warmth and architectural detail. The couple’s most significant challenge was selecting the appropriate stone for the fireplace. Rising gracefully toward wood accent beams, the fireplace, clad in Arriscraft’s Urban Ledgestone, is a striking focal point. “This was our toughest decision, as it’s such a large design feature, and we wanted to make sure we made the right decision,” the homeowners say. “In the end, it turned out beautifully.” Large windows, supplied by Performance Windows & Doors, showcase the scenic, tree-lined golf course beyond. “It’s an openconcept space with the kitchen, so we never miss a beat when entertaining,” they add.
Jane chose furnishings for the great room that balance style with comfort. “This was important to us, so Jane made sure we tested everything before purchasing,” recalls the homeowner. Oversize sectionals, plush swivel lounge chairs by Marcantonio Designs and area rugs from Shaw Floors soften the room. “It’s a very comfortable space. The architecture and interior design work well with each other,” Jane says.
An open-riser staircase enhances the home’s airy, contemporary vibe. “The homeowner could picture the three-dimensional design,” Jane reflects. “They did a “Hollywood” staircase, which was a nice use of architecture.” Natural light from the front windows keeps the staircase open and bright. Jane worked closely with the homeowners to choose the right accessories. “The accessories are important because those are the things that we see every day,” explains Jane.
For Jane, every project is a collaboration with clients who not only invest their trust, but their resources in her creative vision. “I’m grateful for every person I work with,” Jane says. “We don’t take it lightly that someone chooses us; we appreciate it.” OH