By Silvana Longo
Photography by Valerie Wilcox
When an eight-foot-long sculpture of a black panther greets you at the door, you know you are in for something truly special and completely different inside the residence. Bolted to the white oak chevron-patterned floor, this matte-painted prowling cat that sits proudly in the front entry of a Roxborough Street home is crowned by yet another pièce de résistance art form: an organic composition of blush-and-pink dried flowers that runs the length of the custom-made resin sculpture. “We worked closely with artist Ruslan Trutiak, who hand-sculpted the feline frame on a large CNC machine,” says Adolphina Czyrsky, a designer and the co-founder of Toronto-based firm Designtheory. The botanical masterpiece, strategically placed under pot lights, took hours working alongside a floral team to get just the right shape and shade of pink. But it was all worth it.
Czyrsky and her co-founder, Leanne Tammaro, are known for incorporating and designing statement artwork in their clients’ homes. “We love how the softness of the flowers is balanced by the geometric lines of the panther,” says Czyrsky. The art show doesn’t end there. The grand entrance is only a prelude to what’s to come as the home celebrates art in all its various mediums and forms. “Our clients loved the idea of creating a gallery-like feel in their home to showcase their growing and ever-evolving art collection,” Tammaro says.
The must-haves on the client’s wish list included having a liveable statement home that would be inviting for entertaining, as well as creating an ideal space the family could grow into. Tammaro attributes the bespoke outcome to the seamless collaborative relationship with Drawing Room Architect, the architectural firm that led the initial design and finish selection of the four-storey abode. “The team at Drawing Room designed beautiful millwork pieces throughout the home that were so easy to work with, specifically the large, slatted wall that divides the entry gallery from the living space,” Tammaro says. The slatted wall, which is open in the center, allowed the designers to keep the visual line straight through the living room. The sheers beyond add a visual softness to each space and optimize the views of the lush ravine in the backyard. “Respecting the architect’s vision while adding our unique touch was key,” she says, adding the most successful projects are always a result of a strong team.
“RESPECTING THE ARCHITECT’S VISION WHILE ADDING OUR UNIQUE TOUCH WAS KEY.”
Every design journey starts somewhere and this one began with a statement-making winding staircase that spans all four floors. “It was our starting point,” confirms Czyrsky. “That’s where we merged the architect’s vision with our design concept to complement the original design.” Taking inspiration from the subtle curves of the handrail, the duo brought similar detail into other elements in the house. From the breakfast area to the dining room, all the furniture showcases beautiful soft curves. The custom banquette in the kitchen is a perfect case in point: It has upholstered black felt and white performance linen and was perfectly shaped to fit within the size of the window area. “The banquette is meant to feel like a piece of furniture versus something that’s simply functional,” Czyrsky says.
With the main pieces throughout the home done in neutrals, surprising pops of colour delight the eye and provide the perfect backdrop for that coveted gallery aesthetic. “People always forget to leave space for art in the kitchen and you can see how impactful that is to have the beautiful break and sightline,” says Tammaro. Mounted on a porcelain slab backing, the Chanel perfume artwork by Axel Crieger is done on an acrylic base. “It’s lovely to see the various mediums of art in this home,” Czyrsky adds, mentioning there are canvases, backlit pieces and even digital art on the 75-inch television when it’s not in use. Mounted on the double-sided fireplace which divides the grand room from the dining room, “it is a dividing wall that doesn’t obstruct, white on top, black on the bottom. It’s subtle and blends in beautifully while allowing one more surface for art,” says Czyrsky. The intentional white space is also very important in this house,” informs Tammaro. The white walls and off-white furniture pieces were thoughtfully planned, as these elements are meant to be background to allow everything else to pop through art, accessories, and decor.
If art is the main protagonist, vibrant secondary colours take on a crucial supporting role. “We played with burgundy, lilacs, yellow and fuchsia to add depth and playfulness in a sophisticated way,” says Czyrsky. “The large sectional sofa with its soft curves is inviting without being imposing, and the colours of the pillows and citrus yellow velvet lounge chairs bring so much vitality into the space.”
One of the challenges Tammaro remembers was finding a beautiful table long enough to fit the stately dining room that would seat 12. Ultimately, the pair found an 11-and-a-half-foot slab of marble from Ciot called “Arctic Ocean” that fit the bill perfectly. Heavily leathered with blue and blush tones running through it and supported by three pedestals with chamfered edges, the deep-indigo mohair chairs by Tom Dixon add softness to the straight lines in the room. “The bold, thick stone needed to be paired with pieces that stood up to the weight of the space and the chairs achieved this without feeling contrived or heavy,” Tammaro explains.
Even slight square footage received the same kind of thoughtful and curated detail. Take the powder room — this was an ideal spot where Tammaro and Czyrsky could fulfil the homeowners’ desire for a standout, dark space reminiscent of a nightclub. “The second we saw the wallpaper, we knew it was meant for this powder room,” says Czyrsky. A velvet-flocked wall covering from Moooi (Menagerie of Extinct Animals) echoes a feral nature theme established at the front entry. Black fixtures and four lighting sources complete to perfection this larger-than-life tiny room.
When it comes down to it, the main level of this home was done exceptionally — the duo at Designtheory achieved their goals of ensuring the family had an inviting space they could grow into. “It was an exquisite project,” the designers say. “And one we’re both very proud of.”
