The idea of capturing, reflecting and celebrating light was the primary goal in this revamp of a tired Toronto home.

Sometimes, one special furnishing can inspire an entire design. “We found this incredible Shimmer Bar Cabinet by Timothy Oulton and drew inspiration from the idea of moving light around in dark spaces,” says designer Kyle Timothy Blood. He had renovated the owners’ summer house on P.E.I. and was asked to revamp the foyer, hallway, and living and dining rooms of their new Toronto home. The couple, who love to entertain, requested “an urban retreat with sexy, cozy rooms where they could unwind with colleagues and their three adult children,” says Kyle, who used a soft palette, reflective surfaces and sumptuous fabrics to bring a modern yet timeless feel to the home. “They wanted their home to feel welcoming, with lounge-like, sensual and inviting rooms. And, fortunately, these clients don’t shy away from colour.”

A Light Touch

“The existing woodwork of the original house was quite formal,” says Kyle, “so we lightened the mood in the entrance hall by using an ivory-on-white wide-striped wallpaper and we mitigated the presence of the panelling with coordinating ivory paint.” Next, Kyle reduced the size of the opening from the hallway to the living room and added French doors, “in order to make the living room feel like a destination that was both intimate and social,” he says. “As for the dusky rose dining room, well, everyone looks best in the evening when lit with pink light.” The heavily veined marble table easily seats six, and the sconces are contemporary versions of Midcentury Modern cattail lamps.

“The clients wanted the living room and dining room to feel like curated, sophisticated lounge-like spaces that were tactile, organic and inviting, with a certain quotient of glam.” 

Social Light

CARPET; Elte. ROMAN SHADE FABRIC, Primavera. WALLPAPER, Phillip Jeffries.

“Since these clients love to entertain, we chose an oversized sectional that’s welcoming and comfortable for socializing,” says Kyle. He elevated its style quotient with a velvety fabric and a mix of pillows, including chic faux python pillows in pale blue with a brush fringe and dusky pink ones that link to the dining room’s palette. The textural woven wallpaper has a light metallic background, adding to the glam shimmery feel. 

 

 

“We invoked a lounge vibe with faux python pillows with brush fringe, sculptural chairs, and wallpaper threaded with silver foil.” 

 

Light Moves

Shimmer BAR CABINET

“These clients embrace colour!” says Kyle, adding that “the shimmering bar cabinet seemed to call out for a slate blue palette.” Sheer relaxed Roman shades soften the bay window in the living room. “They let as much light into this room as possible,” he says. Surfaces that reflect light, including the glass-top tables and the bar cabinet, amplify the effect. The statement lamp adds an elegant curve yet doesn’t block views to the outside.

 

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