Decorating & Design
Transformation Of A Generic Condo Into A Sophisticated Space Worthy Of Its Lake Ontario Views
Photography, Valerie Wilcox
Decorating & Design
Transformation Of A Generic Condo Into A Sophisticated Space Worthy Of Its Lake Ontario Views
Toronto designers Bradley Marks and Jeff Wortley of Marley Studio transform a generic condo into a sophisticated space worthy of its Lake Ontario views.
Fresh Take
South-facing views from the 65th floor weren’t enough to inject life into this 1,500-square-foot condo in the city’s Harbourfront area. “It was soulless and didn’t make the impression you’d expect, given its sky-high position,” says designer Jeff Wortley, who worked with co-founder Bradley Marks to reinvigorate the space for the young professional who lives here. White paint updated the primer-finished walls, and black punctuated the doors for sharp contrast. Moulding, applied in line with the top of the doorways, factors in subtle architectural detail, while a round mirror adds curvy depth. Custom drapery layers in softness, and a sectional effectively demarcates the living area.
Photography, Valerie Wilcox
Picture This
A gallery of art enlivens the long wall connecting the living and dining areas. “We designed it with a mix of media, including a 3-D wall hanging,” says Bradley. Different framing materials further the lively look. The artwork also serves to nicely connect the two spaces in the open floor plan. “We brought in most of the colour with art, accents and accessories,” he says. “This will allow the owner to refresh the space in the future with minimal updates.”
Photography, Valerie Wilcox
Gallery WALL ART, The Poster Club; Society6; Opposite Wall; PI Fine Art; Etsy. WALL HANGING, Kara Logan Studio. Gallery wall INSTALLATION, Artstall.
“Almost everything is new, so we were sure to mix a variety of styles. It gives the space a collected, accumulated-over-time feel.” – Bradley Marks
Seating Plan
Photography, Valerie Wilcox
The designers opted for a custom-made banquette in the dining area.
“It eliminated the extra space that would have been required for pulling chairs in and out,” says Jeff. Its striking blue hue is a stylish nod to the lake view. “We also wanted the dining room to be multipurpose, so we felt the banquette was an inviting option for working at the table with a laptop or watching TV on the wall across, in the living room.” Just behind, the galley kitchen’s hard surfaces are softened with a sculptural marble table for two, an upholstered chair and a nubby bouclé bench.
Photography, Valerie Wilcox
Dine on Cloud Nine
The banquette seating is augmented with cane-back chairs that are classic yet don’t feel stuffy in this contemporary setting. The designers upholstered the seats with indoor/outdoor faux leather to eliminate the worry of spills and stains. The airy pendant light was informed by the setting. “It’s an interesting fixture and its shape is a true nod to the clouds just outside the windows,” says Bradley. “It has a dimensional quality, like light bouncing off clouds, and creates an intimate dining experience beneath the 10-foot ceilings.” The pendant’s floaty aspect is tempered by the sculptural presence of the wall sconce; its three discs are attached with magnets and they can be moved to form various compositions.
Photography, Valerie Wilcox
Neutral Territory
Photography, Valerie Wilcox
“The owner wanted the principal bedroom to flow with the rest of the condo, but have a more neutral and calming palette when it came to furnishings and art,” says Jeff. The interesting pendant light is in keeping with the dining area’s fixture, and its caned panels subtly reference the dining chairs. It fills the upper space nicely, without being overpowering. The bed, fully upholstered in bouclé, has a cozy presence, while the swing-arm sconces introduce some midcentury-mod style. Artwork hung just above the bed is in keeping with the low-profile furnishings.
Photography, Valerie Wilcox
“We always use a cozy rug to step onto when getting out of bed, and beautiful window coverings. They’re essential to the overall bedroom experience.” – Jeff Wortley
Photography, Valerie Wilcox
Cloud BED, Sundays. SIDE TABLE, RUG, Crate and Barrel. Herman Miller
bedside SCONCES, EQ3. PENDANT LIGHT, Salt by the Caza Project. Wall-mounted VANITY, Blu Dot. CHAIR, CB2. ARTWORK, The Poster Club.
5-Star Accommodation
The guest room walls are painted in a soft and moody shade that doesn’t go all the way to the ceiling. The paint line is instead aligned with the top of the door frames – it’s a visual trick the designers used to create a cozy feeling beneath the 10-foot ceilings. Here, they furthered it with custom-made linen drapes that mimic the painted walls. The owner’s mom is the most frequent guest here and that inspired a more sophisticated palette. The rich blues reference the nearby lake, and the mirror was added to reflect the spectacular views.
Photography, Valerie Wilcox
WALL PAINT, Cobblestone CC-454, Benjamin Moore. DRAPERY SEWING, Maple Drapery. BED, Blu Dot. BEDDING, STOOL, Crate and Barrel. CUSHION, Elte Mkt. SIDE TABLE, EQ3. LAMPS, Human Home. MIRROR, CB2. PENDANT LIGHT, West Elm. ART, The Poster Club.
Desk Job
The guest room had several closets, so the designers converted one into a chic niche that now acts as a combination desk/vanity space. “Prior to this alteration, the room only had space for a bed, so this gives Mom, or any guest, another place to set things down for a special guest suite experience,” says Jeff. The custom-designed spot has access to power, a drawer for storage, and an art ledge.
Photography, Valerie Wilcox
Office Rules
The home office doesn’t have any windows, so it was imperative that it feel lively, fresh and fun. A whimsical pink patterned wallpaper and mauve ceiling create that mood and lend an artistic touch that’s played up in framed Matisse cutout prints. The rug also imparts pattern, and its shape is needed among all the lines. Open shelving feels airy and offers pretty display areas, while the
credenza conceals the usual assortment of office supplies. The bouclé armchair is a feminine touch.
“The owner splits her time between L.A. and Toronto, and the organic nature of the wallcovering, rug and art was our way of bringing in some California vibes.” – Jeff Wortley
Photography, Valerie Wilcox
WALLPAPER, Memo Showroom. CEILING PAINT, Hint of Mauve 2097-50, Benjamin Moore. CREDENZA, RUG, EQ3. BOOK SHELF, Blu Dot. CHAIR, Crate and Barrel.
Easy Upgrade
The powder room was in good shape but rather generic looking. To add some oomph, Jeff and Bradley swapped out the standard-issue medicine cabinets for a sleek decorative mirror, and replaced a towel bar with a robe hook. “It looks better than a bar, especially in a small powder room,” says Bradley. An earthy paint colour on the walls feels much richer than the previous white primer.
Photography, Valerie Wilcox
MIRROR, Wayfair. WALL PAINT, Gothic Arch CSP-80, Benjamin Moore.
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