Shop
A Grand Victorian Reimagined for Modern Family Life
Some homes come with stories woven right into their walls. The Markland Project—a sprawling 4,000-square-foot Queen Anne Victorian manor in Hamilton, Ontario—is one of them. Built in 1887 for William Southam, publisher of the Hamilton Spectator, this stately residence once echoed with the voices of steel magnates and society elites. Today, thanks to designer Sam Sacks and her team, it tells a new story: one of young family life, layered history, and artfully considered restoration.
Tasked with turning this heritage home into a youthful, functional sanctuary for a young couple with three kids, Sam dove in headfirst. The project was a full gut renovation—basement to third floor—including new space planning, kitchen and bathroom redesigns, and thoughtful interventions that honored the home’s architectural bones.
“The house had that classic rabbit-warren layout common to homes of the era,” Sam explains. “We opened up the spaces to bring in light and flow while keeping the grandeur intact.”
Key moves included knocking down the wall between the formal dining room and an old office to create a generous eat-in kitchen, reframing tight doorways into grand openings, and converting a chilly three-season garden room into a sunny breakfast nook. The butler’s staircase was also removed, allowing for a reimagined principal suite with views of the garden.
Design: Sam Sacks Design | Photography: Lauren Miller Photography
Charm in the Details
Despite its updates, the home wears its age beautifully. Ornate fireplaces, gilded mirrors, double front doors, and the original central staircase were lovingly preserved. Sam leaned into the home’s Victorian roots, most notably in the showstopping kitchen. Soaring arched windows flank a curved range hood, and a pair of dramatic oak upper cabinets rest on carved corbels—a nod to classic English kitchens.
“I wanted the kitchen to feel like it had always been there,” Sam says. “The old-world details bring a richness that doesn’t feel forced.”
The material palette is rich and tactile: Saltillo ceramic tiles for the backsplash, polished nickel hardware from Top Knobs and Emtek, and a vintage Moroccan runner underfoot. Above the island, a Suzanne Kasler pendant from Visual Comfort offers a modern counterpoint.
Heritage Meets Family Function
Designing for little ones was top of mind. In the family room, a modular Anthropologie sectional is built for lounging (and Lego-building), while the breakfast room’s concrete tile flooring can handle high traffic and inevitable spills.
The playful powder room features Common Room’s Lioness & Palms wallpaper, set against a backdrop of high-gloss Benjamin Moore Bold Blue. Upstairs, the children’s bedrooms are filled with soft textures, vintage lighting, and whimsical touches like a teepee and Noguchi lamp.
A Soft Landing in the Principal Suite
In the new principal suite, tranquility reigns. Soft white walls (Benjamin Moore Simply White), sculptural lighting from Pinch London, and checkerboard wool rug ground the space in quiet luxury. A vintage Suzani textile, custom nightstands, and layered linens round out the look.
The ensuite bath feels like a retreat: polished brass Visual Comfort sconces, marble mosaic flooring, and a clawfoot tub fitted with a vintage-style Kingston Brass filler. Every inch feels intentional, rooted in a classic aesthetic but executed with a fresh hand.
Scroll on to see more from this space and shop the look below!
BY: Jasmyne Muir
Shop
