Designer Jack Creasy took a colourful stance in this Toronto home, transforming its polite neutral walls with personality-packed hues. Steeped in moody aubergine
and dramatic black, it’s a sophisticated stunner.

Purple Reign

With unifying their Victorian home in mind, Shane Ferrao (shown above, left) and Al Rajan (right) painted the entire first floor white and grey, but designer Jack Creasy wasn’t having any of it. “These are two bubbly personalities and the neutral space felt drab and couldn’t have been more opposite to their personalities,” says Jack. The couple were open to creating a moodier vibe, so Jack opted for the intrigue of aubergine and used a novel application of it. “I colour-drenched the entire space, painting everything – the walls, trim, window frames and even radiators – the same shade. It’s bold and inviting.”

Fine Finish

Contemporary furniture, brass accents and natural textures add interest in the living room – the coffee table’s antique-mirror inlay subtly reflects the aubergine and framed fabric layers in pattern. In the front hall, a custom armoire introduces curves and marries form with function. “The caning provides an aesthetic moment of contrast and texture, as well as ventilation for outerwear,” says Jack. The flooring includes jewel-toned marble tiles in the entry and custom small-scale herringbone throughout. Jack says, “Oversized herringbone can read too modern in a Victorian home. This smaller size makes the rooms feel grand.” 

In The Mix

“The dining table and the wishbone chairs are a modern juxtaposition to the home’s Victorian bones,” says Jack. “The colour drenching unites the space and has a sense of currentness that creates harmony in this pairing of old and new.” A vintage metal- work mirror sits atop a dark mantel that Jack added to create a focal point on an otherwise empty wall. “It’s cast stone that’s made to look like marble," he says. "I like how the mirror reflects the stair- case and mimics the shape of the front hall’s armoire." A pair of petrified-wood candlesticks and a glazed ceramic vase with pampas grass play off the mantel’s palette; a whimsical pendant light continues the brass accents. 

Going To The Dark Side

Jack painted the staircase black to give it subtle definition within the aubergine scheme. “I wanted it to feel rooted in the space without being a harsh contrast to the walls behind it,” he says. “Black creates a moment of interest without being overwhelming or screaming for attention.” The powder room is less demure thanks to its marble vanity with hints of lilac that connect to the aubergine, striking peacock-print wallpaper and black paint. Jack says, “Dark shades don’t make rooms feel smaller; in fact, they can have the opposite effect. Afraid to unify your home with a dark colour? Trust me, it’s worth it – go bold or go home to a bland space!” 

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