At Home With: Nicole Unis & Antoine Bonneville

When Nicole and Antoine boarded a flight to Mexico with their extended family in tow, they didn’t expect to land in a new chapter. Somewhere between airport snacks and takeoff, they submitted an offer on a modest mid-century home in Riverside. Wi-Fi at the resort was patchy—but once they reconnected (with margaritas in hand), it was time for celebration. Border City Living got them the house against multiple offers.

A classic 1962 estate sale, the home was relatively untouched—shag carpet, wood panelling, and a tiny kitchen that hadn’t seen a reno in decades. But the lot was oversized, the trees were mature, and the location was idyllic: nestled between the Ganatchio Trail and the Little River Corridor.

During the pandemic, they slowly brought their vision to life. With help from AV Contracting and Kitchen Corner, they opened up the layout, added warmth and light, and took inspiration from Nicole’s Dutch roots—mixing Scandinavian simplicity with a playful edge. A rare quartzite countertop with flecks of pink, Cedar & Moss lighting and design-forward pieces from friends and family give the home its charm.

The bathroom renovation was no small feat—they found endless concrete and chicken wire beneath the old tile. They kept the layout but removed the bulkheads, replacing everything with a floating vanity, sleek tub, and a custom glass shower door from Bayview. All fixtures and the vanity were sourced from Naylors, their local go-to for thoughtful, design-focused details.

As avid travellers, Nicole and Antoine have layered their home with personal history and global inspiration. Heirlooms from Europe, Australia, and Hawaii sit alongside objects from Nicole’s childhood and Antoine’s French Canadian heritage. In the nursery, wallpaper from Manz and shelves handmade by their friend at Lockwood Woodworks display items gifted by Nicole’s grandmother.

Nicole is also an expert Marketplace hunter, known for sourcing second-hand pieces and integrating them into the home in a way that feels curated, never cluttered. Their home is free-spirited and unexpected—vintage Playboy magazines meet Delft tiles; Russian nesting dolls share shelves with coral from her father’s travels. Now, tulips from Holland bloom out front, wildflowers and raspberries grow in back, and every room tells a story.

Both work from home, so harmony and flow were non-negotiable. With light-filled workspaces, nature on every walk, and a strong sense of community, the house has become somewhat of their “nomadic nest”—rooted enough to grow a family, open enough to welcome whoever lands next.

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Photography by: Emma Davidson