When myriads of cultures mix, borrow and evolve together within Toronto’s small geographic footprint, their aesthetic preferences intersect and build homes that exude a rich cosmopolitanism, proud of being different.
This is such a home. A home where the owners love the contemporary design and wanted to keep most of their existing furniture and artifact collections but were unsure how the two would aesthetically merge. Their personal objects belonged to a different design vocabulary and consisted of oriental rugs and ethnic pieces together with an heirloom dinner table and other ornate décor.
The solution emerged with a clear challenge on hand by integrating the interior architecture with the architectural shell. This essential yet straightforward approach created a clean visual flow and a perfect backdrop for what was bound to become an eclectic combo.
The two central components of contemporary design, form and colour, layered with pattern and ornament, initiated the kind of cultural dialogue needed. The owner’s artifacts and love of colour became painted and imprinted throughout like a journey with many stories. The resulting composition presents itself as a highly private, curated interior, an interior that is unique, comfortable and warm.
Design by Dochia Interior Design | Image by Chris Harrison Photographer
THE MAIN FLOOR
The main floor is defined by a sequence of wall volumes, textures and materials where the deriving geometry shapes rooms as an oasis of activities.
When you enter and stand in the foyer, you have the first volume on your left. Clad in seamless walnut veneer, it cleverly hides the front closet, laundry chute and powder room while its heavy mass is set in dynamic contrast to the open-riser stair. Seasonal décor and a round oriental rug are carefully placed like jewellery, and the jolting three-sided fireplace divides and unites the living and dining rooms simultaneously.
As you move forward, the stair, screened from the family room by a decorative divider, plays with the light pouring in abundantly through the south-facing windows of the backyard.
The main floor layout maximizes the light coming through south-facing windows at the back, and walls are used to carve and filter views within the open plan. The use of light and architecture together shapes the space without overpowering the occupants. The entire home feels like walking through a painting in which brushstrokes vary from solids to fluid transparencies, from intense accents to soft backgrounds.
Stay tuned for part 2 next week and join our tour of this beautiful home.
This article first appeared in My 2 cents on design how to curate a better lifestyle through design part of Creativity \\ a DOCHIA FOCUS monthly lifestyle series
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Homes these days are less about norm and more about culture, part 2
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