Victoria Morphy, a talented young interior designer, has transformed the 2026 Bluewater Health Foundation Dream Home into a showcase of contemporary elegance and timeless design. Located at 1077 Manhattan Drive in Sarnia, this $1.46 million prize home represents both a life-changing opportunity for one lucky winner and a career-defining project for Morphy, whose design company is quickly making its mark across Southwestern Ontario.
The Bluewater Health Foundation's Dream Home Lottery has been a cornerstone of community fundraising for over three decades, raising more than $10.5 million to support hospitals throughout Sarnia-Lambton. This year's home carries special significance as it showcases the work of Morphy, whose career journey began in an unexpected place. Originally studying event planning, she discovered her true passion lay not in organizing events but in designing the spaces where those events would unfold.
That pivotal realization led Morphy to launch 1226 Design Co., named after her December 26 birthday. Now four years into her entrepreneurial journey, her company has flourished, taking on diverse projects ranging from restaurants and medical spas to residential developments and public gathering spaces throughout the region. Based in London, Morphy has built an impressively varied portfolio that includes golf course clubhouses and amenity spaces in high-rise buildings.
Design runs in Morphy's family, as her mother is also an interior designer who provided early exposure to the craft. "She's been such a big inspiration," Morphy said. "I couldn't have done it without her." This familial influence continues today, with her mother occasionally collaborating on projects, creating a professional partnership that ties Morphy's career back to its roots.
When approached to design the Dream Home, Morphy embraced the challenge with both creativity and strategic thinking. She aimed to create a space that felt current and fresh while avoiding trends that would quickly become dated. "I like to keep it current, but not in a way that in a couple of years you'll say, 'oh, that was so 2025,'" she explained. Instead, she focused on timeless architectural details given a contemporary twist.
The signature design element throughout the home is a series of elliptical archways inspired by cathedral forms. This curved motif appears consistently throughout the house – in the kitchen cabinetry, the circular dining table, the curved fireplace detail, the office design, custom basement metalwork and wine display, and again in the upstairs primary suite. "Because it's a Dream Home, you can push boundaries and show something a little more unique," Morphy noted.
Color became another area where Morphy stretched her creative boundaries. Known typically for neutral palettes, she surprised herself by painting the office in a deep merlot purple. "I love a moody space," she admitted. "If I can color drench an office, a powder room, or a basement, I probably will almost every time." This bold choice has drawn praise from visitors who have noted the exceptional attention to detail throughout the home.
When asked to identify her favorite space in the house, Morphy found it difficult to choose. "I love each space for its own reason," she said. "That's the beauty of design – creating a special moment in every room." If pressed to decide, she points to the kitchen and main living area, which she describes as "the anchor of the house." She explained, "The kitchen is the heart of the home. That's where everything branches from, and where we introduced the curved details that carried throughout."
The collaboration with builder Bridlewood Homes proved to be exceptionally positive for Morphy's creative process. Builder Carmine Gargarella provided her with remarkable freedom to execute her vision, trusting her instincts while offering support and encouragement. "That freedom was really fun," she said. "Especially for a project like this, where you want to give people something they haven't seen before."
The Dream Home project also introduced Morphy to the local artisan community in Sarnia. Through various collaborations, she discovered talented woodworkers and artists whose contributions added distinctive character to the project. "It spoke to the type of community Sarnia is," she observed. "Supportive, talented, and full of people who want to help each other succeed."
For Morphy, this high-profile project represents both a humbling experience and an exhilarating opportunity to showcase her work on an unprecedented stage. Despite being at the beginning of her career, she has already demonstrated that her design sensibility is sophisticated, versatile, and distinctly her own. "I still can't believe it sometimes," she reflected. "It's been a crazy ride, but I'm grateful for every project I've been able to take on."
The fortunate winner of the lottery will have the choice between taking possession of the complete $1.46 million home or selecting $1 million in cash instead. The official draw for the Dream Home is scheduled for Thursday, February 19, 2026. Until then, visitors who tour the house can experience Victoria Morphy's vision firsthand – a carefully crafted dream translated into wood, color, and curve, one thoughtful detail at a time.
