yorkville
"Cardinal Rule #1 - When designing a space, never compete with a view!"
In our Yorkville project, the incredible panoramic views of Toronto were mesmerizing and we strategically placed furniture, selected materials and designed pieces that orientated one’s eye to the windows.
We also wanted each room to have a definitive colour or pair of colours as the driving force for that space with the theme being the movement of colour throughout the entire home and acting as a unified gradient of colour meshing into each other.
Category
LIVE | Refresh
LOCATION
Yorkville, Toronto
Size
2500 sq/f.
photography
Vinh Le
YEAR
2023
TESTIMONIAL
Level Studio helped with a whole condo design from the ground up! Truly remarkable and responsive, the best part of my new home was working with them.
John G.
have a closer look
Join Luca as he takes you on a tour with House & Home.
how it all started
For this Yorkville home, we merged bold colour with clean, modern forms to create a sophisticated yet approachable family home in the sky. We utilized texture and vertical lines to add architectural dimension without distracting from the panoramic vistas. By using colour as a navigational tool, each space maintains a distinct identity while contributing to a unified flow throughout this home.
A dramatic entry in the foyer creates a bold first impression of the rooms that follow. Alternating black and white marble floors installed on a diagonal give movement into this home and are paired with an intimate textured purple wallpaper. This evokes a more moody entryway as there are no windows in this area and helps create more contrast as one enters into the main great room.
Two gorgeous original pieces by Canadian artist Jane Waterous hang on either side of the foyer hall with a multitude of colours that compliment the purple wallpaper beautifully and are introduced throughout the entire home.
Just off the foyer was an alcove which created the perfect opportunity for something artful yet practical. Our client’s love of wine translated into this custom designed illuminated wine display in the same rift cut white oak that matches the kitchen to create a sense of unity. It is also framed perfectly down the hallway leading to the bedrooms.
Dealing with large living spaces can be a challenge and we addressed this room by breaking it up into zones with the sitting, dining and kitchen area. A herringbone oak floor invites you into this large, open great room and sets the stage for the most impressive views of Toronto. All the furniture in this room, mostly from Italy, were chosen for their versatility, uniqueness, functionality and low profile so they do not compete with the vistas.
A low profile 10 foot long media unit houses electronics and storage while a pair of armchairs and drink tables sit low so as to not block the T.V from view. A large, low sectional wraps the perimeter of the living area with storage on the opposite side for trinkets and books. It also allows someone to literally sit on any side of this space and get a full 360 degree view of the room whether it is to watch someone cooking, watch television or simply marvel at the magnificent view.
An enormous custom blue and grey rug anchors all the individual pieces and establishes the living space. This room was designed for the most lavish of parties and entertaining.
Two aqua blue swivel chairs with a black marble end table between them allows the opportunity to gaze out the windows unobstructed and also turn to be part of the greater living area in larger group gatherings.
The kitchen was designed with rift cut white oak base cabinets and white uppers to be a touch more subtle in this open concept great room. A large black marble island and backsplash with beautiful veining, white countertops and hood vent, also with beautiful veining create a connection with the foyer marble floor. Fingertip pulls are used throughout for a more seamless design and black metal is used on the large appliances and island pendant for contrast against the kitchen.
A large dining table for 8 with a walnut base and dark grey slate top is paired with dark grey tub chairs, perfect for everyday use for this family with two young kids. An arching floor lamp was chosen over the dining table because the ceiling could not have a light fixture installed above it due to the existing concrete slab so we sourced the most slender floor lamp to not block the windows.
Andy Warhol & Wayne Gretzky
In the dining area, a print by Andy Warhol of Wayne Gretzky that is signed by both of them was the inspiration for the blue and purple colours used in this great room and sits above a playful burgundy sideboard with polka dots.
The balcony continues this movement of colour as the gradient meshes into red. The incredible Toronto Skyline with a picturesque CN Tower in view creates the most perfect backdrop for entertaining.
As we move to the bedroom areas, the powder room just off the foyer has a marble sink complimented with a wallpaper that pulls in oranges, purple and reds. These colours are also reflected in three butterfly pieces by Canadian artist Franco DeFrancesca at the end of this hall opposite the custom wine display.
The primary bedroom is the softest room in the suite with subtle pops of green and yellow and a burst of orange. An original piece by American Artist Craig Alan titled “All You Need is (Green)” is placed above a porcelain top desk paired with the iconic Her Chair in a striking glossy orange creating a cheeky moment
Greys, beiges and soft yellows are used throughout to create a more serene and relaxing retreat with a feature wall that incorporates a grey fluted headboard combined with dark grey textured wallpaper and an offset floor to ceiling slab of quartz that centers a nightstand and aligns an existing bulkhead. Two Italian swivel armchairs upholstered in both leather and fabric sit opposite a mustard ottoman to enjoy a drink, a book, or take in the stunning view.
The ensuite was designed to feel like a luxurious spa with a pop of fun in the toilet room inspired by some witty artwork over the freestanding tub. And yes, that is Batman pouring tea on a train car. Black and White marble is used again to continue the relationships throughout the entire home and is paired with gold hardware and accents. A softer grey wallpaper completes this luxurious ensuite.
One of the bedrooms was turned into an office and uses pops of orange and red against a dark grey wallpaper. An original piece by Italian Artist Marco Grassi sits atop a peninsula desk allowing our client to gaze outside while working.
We curated a series of four black and white photos of musicians that our client loves which hang on each side of his desk with a Him Chair, complimenting the primary bedroom, also in striking orange. Custom millwork was designed to be a great backdrop for zoom meetings with plenty of storage and the iconic Eames Lounge Chair in white leather and walnut frame completes this room.
Our client has two young boys who are at an age where they still prefer to sleep in the same room so we went with a monochromatic blue room with subtle nods to dinosaurs and lego that peak their current interests.
If we could describe this home in a few words, it’s whimsical, a little ballsy, colourful and functional. It’s designed for someone who doesn’t take life so seriously.
