Custom Details in a Summerhill Living Room
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On a charming street in a pocket of Toronto that is very near and dear to our hearts, our client purchased a home that. Shortly after moving in, although the home was an incredibly-beautiful new build, she realized that lacked some of the personal touches and customization that desired.
Like so many homes, our client’s living room is situated at the front of the house, just off the front entrance and overlooks the tree-lined street. Beyond its more practical uses, the space is there to create a stunning first impression upon anyone who crosses the threshold and also sets the tone throughout the house. With that in mind, our client decided that it was an important place to begin the design journey.
A busy professional with two young children under the age of 4, our client sought our help in order to get the look and feel she desired but with minimal involvement. After a few high-level conversions, together we determined an overall look and aesthetic and got to work with names like Aerin Lauder, Currey + Company and Designer’s Guild floating in our heads.
Taking cues from the elegance of the home and its surroundings, our client envisioned a space that was sophisticated but also functional for entertaining and comfortable enough to live in. Apart from an existing neutral-grey, velvet-upholstered sofa and a brass-framed coffee table, which we were asked to work around, we were given the designer’s dream- a lot of leeway!
After exploring various possibilities, the crux of the design scheme ultimately came down to a dreamy blue hue that is reminiscent of Tiffany’s signature boxes. It’s an incredibly timeless colour that, although blue, lends itself to feminine spaces. It’s also a colour that complements dove greys and the opulence of gold-toned pieces, making it the perfect addition to the existing sofa and coffee table.
But a room filled with solid colours, however lovely, will fall flat. So to liven up the floor-to-ceiling window treatments and sumptuous accent chairs, we added some customization by way of patterns. Custom drapery was elevated with Thibault trim and the backs of the chairs were upholstered with JF Fabric for visual interest. Custom pillows created by Holford White Design shift and alter the mood on the sofa according to the lighting and time of day. All the various textiles work together to create a cohesive, elevated, yet serene space.
Lighting plays a crucial role in determining the vibe of a space and this living room was no exception! To create a statement and focal point, we selected one of our favourite light fixtures from Circa Lighting – the AERIN ‘Hampton’ chandelier in plaster white. With its cutting-edge design, this piece has a lit-from-within effect and evokes the natural world with its fern-like fronds. Then, to not only echo the ornate, gilded aesthetic of the coffee table but also insert an element of drama, we positioned sconces on either side of the fireplace. These fixtures can be dimmed to create a moody atmosphere and inspire envy among onlookers passing by in the evening.
To find out how to incorporate custom elements in your home, get in touch! We will guide you through the process of selecting fabrics, wallcoverings and furnishings available only to the trades.
