Photography by Contempo Sudio
” I’ve never had an environment to work in like this before — I’ve never had the opportunity to design around hills, this elevation, such tall trees, the landscaping. Even when this house was under construction, I’d come watch it being worked on and I couldn’t wait for it to be finished. I knew it would make a spectacular story,” Marin Zabzuni, architectural designer and owner of Toronto-based design firm Contempo Studio tells me enthusiastically. He’s right, and we couldn’t agree more.
Fallingbrook is a small, secluded street near the renowned Toronto Hunt Club and just a short walk from Lake Ontario in the highly sought-after Beaches area. It’s the perfect location for building this masterpiece, which Zabzuni was only too thrilled to play a part in creating. The team at Contempo Studio have made a name for themselves as leaders in luxury custom modern homes, and this project is arguably one of the most remarkable, impressive and unique abodes they’ve had a hand in.
The homeowner is a long-time Beaches resident who built this place (for himself and his two sons) with trusted trades he works with for his clients as part of his building consulting business. He approached Zabzuni after becoming acquainted with his portfolio of highend modern designs. “He contacted me, we met and we immediately hit it off. He’s very down-to-earth and he’s a straight shooter — he knew what he wanted and was receptive to our ideas and input,” Zabzuni says. “He told me he wanted a cool house — something modern and warm with a big balcony where he could enjoy the views. He also wanted an L-shaped home and expected to take full advantage of the hill. We drew our inspiration from that.” Of course, the architectural designer also took inspiration from the lush surroundings. “It’s an amazing area. It reminds me of Vancouver, where you have very tall trees all over and a view of the water. In the end, what we designed was a home evocative of a California beach house. This place doesn’t look like something you’d find in Toronto.”
The resort-style abode certainly has coastal vibes, with its minimalistic-modern style, floor-to-ceiling windows and an interior done in whites, charcoal greys and wood tones. It’s warm and beachy and feels like a private getaway. The first impression passersby get of the place is the exterior, which is nothing short of striking. Done in vertical wood planks with white roof overhangs, it’s statement-making and distinctive from any other property in the area. “The tall trees inspired us to do the wood planks. And most people would’ve opted for a black roof overhang, but we did white because it really brightens up the space and brings out the beauty of the wood. It’s cozy and inviting and works superbly,” he says. What’s perhaps even more spectacular are the wraparound balconies on every floor — it’s an exceptional feature that offers the homeowner lots of opportunities to enjoy the outdoors. “The balcony has ample room for seating areas, potted plants and al-fresco dining spots. There are doors to the balconies from the back of the house and when you’re out there, the views are incredible,” says Zabzuni. Plus, there’s a small deck on the rooftop with chairs that face the lake. “I went up to experience it and it’s quiet and peaceful. You can see the lake through the trees. It would be an ideal place to sit with a coffee in the morning or at sunset.”
“I’D COME WATCH THE HOUSE BEING WORKED ON AND I COULDN’T WAIT FOR IT TO BE FINISHED. I KNEW IT WOULD MAKE A SPECTACULAR STORY.”
The same minimalistic-modern approach was taken inside. The ground level features a large garage that houses the homeowner’s collection of muscle cars and an exercise room that leads out to the pool, on the side of the house instead of in the backyard. When you enter through the front door, you walk up the stairs to the main level and find the living room, powder room, family room and kitchen, which has a large island and a huge double-sided fireplace breaking up the kitchen and dining area from the family room. On the top level are four bedrooms — there’s another exit onto the balcony from the principal bedroom. The back of the house has a spacious cabana and patio. “The mature trees weren’t removed from the backyard and the cabana was built in amongst them, so it feels like you’re in a forest when you’re back there.”
Zabzuni recently finished this house after three years of work and dedication, but he’s still so enthusiastic about what a marvel the place turned out to be. “It’s really one of the coolest houses we’ve ever done, and it’s funny because it was simple in a way. It doesn’t have anything too crazy, but because of the hills, landscaping, trees and the balconies, it feels like an amazing resort beach house. That was our goal and I feel we accomplished it successfully,” he says. “I’d love to live here myself.”
