Keeping it Classic with Miya Daigle

Primary Palette

While her work deftly balances contemporary and classic elements, in terms of palette, she gravitates toward muted tones, allowing the materials to shine and develop over time. This project (her second ground-up new build for her own family) marked a pivot toward warm neutrals, bold marble and living metals like polished nickel and unlacquered brass. Putting these natural materials to the test, Miya leaned in and let these finishes drive the design. Throughout the home, her background in architecture and love of European travel guided many decisions that define the space. Tall ceilings, classical molding, an emphasis on natural light help to create a deeply comfortable environment that achieves elegance, durability and versatility at every turn.

Serene Spaces, Timeless Design

Case in point: the primary bath. As the backdrop for the morning routine and the evening ritual, Miya knew the space had to work hard while maintaining a sense of calm. “How a bathroom looks and feels can have a big impact on your quality of life,” she says. Here, bold marble provides depth and an anchor, while Roman clay on the walls (which mimics the organic texture of plaster) lends a soothing tactility and old-world charm. “When you’re walking a cobblestone street in Paris, or leaning up against a stone architrave, you can’t help but absorb that history and think of all the life these materials contain."

Elegant, Subtle Details

The natural beauty of the primary bathroom’s marble is elevated by polished nickel hardware, lighting and plumbing fixtures from the Pinna Paletta collection. “Polished nickel lends subtle sophistication and helps to brighten the space,” Miya says. “It brings in that quiet luxury element and reads a little bit softer, which is helpful especially in bathrooms full of hard surfaces.” Drawn to the Pinna Paletta collection’s grooves and knurling, Miya points to the way these details lend a sense of movement. “In a way, it mirrors the impact of the veining in the marble – these details feel dynamic, even in permanent elements of a space.” Here and throughout the home, classical touches abound – to wit, the sculptural light over tub comes from an artisan in Paris.

South American quartzite surfaces provide a cool counterpoint to the warmth of white oak, while the influence of hospitality design is clear in luxe touches like the marble shower ledge and polished nickel towel hooks.

Purposeful Form and Function

For Miya, who often works with hotels on styling projects, ergonomics are hugely important to everything from the placement of light fixtures to the integrated storage of cabinetry. “Even in a guest bath, it’s important to design for daily use,” she says. The rendering stage holds a crucial place in her process, allowing her to anticipate the space in full. In this guest bath, plans to orient the shower tile in herringbone pattern were shifted when the design felt busy in the render, and now a vertical stack tile pattern helps to elongate the shower space, allowing plumbing fixtures to pop. “I loved the graceful poetry of the handle shape,” Miya says of the One collection featured here. “Interest can come in all forms.”

Artful Living

Guided by the lessons of previous projects – namely, a commitment to quality materials and fixtures that bring artistry and individuality – Miya has created a family home that is at once beautiful and functional, purpose-built and designed to delight the senses. If a house is a story waiting to unfold, this home is sure to live happily ever after.