By Adriana Ermter
Photography by Larry Arnal
For empty nesters, downsizing from the family home into a condo built for two doesn’t have to equate staying inside the proverbial, and often very literal, condo-sized box. At least not when Rosalia Fazzari, the principal designer, founder and owner of Tapestry Decor, is leading the way. “I design for the clients’ needs by giving them more than what they want,” affirms Fazzari. “I put 200 percent into every project.” The luxury interior designer’s expansive mentality reigned during her latest condominium project in York Region’s well-landscaped Vaughan region, located at Islington Avenue and Highway 7. Surrounded by mature trees and greenery, the well-established, low-rise building’s 2,100-square-foot, two-bedroom, two-bathroom penthouse was due for a complete renovation. With a six-month timeline, Fazzari began the project by breaking down the compartmentalized suite’s walls to fulfil her vision of an expansive and open-concept living space. “Now when you walk in, there’s a very open entryway with a view straight out through the windows in the living room,” she says. “You can also see into the family room, complete with the extension of its new library space, and all the way into the kitchen.”
Meticulously designed with a transitional look and feel, grey and warm white tones dominate the condominium, which also includes subtle hints of mauve, silver accents and rich woods dotted throughout. The kitchen, however, is a pop of fresh white, complete with porcelain tile flooring and a sleek, white quartzite countertop. “I had to crane in the countertops because they were too big to fit into the elevators,” adds Fazzari. “I’m always jumping, constantly looking for the best solution.” In this case, her solutions included flattening the kitchen’s ceiling and adding pot lights to add depth and brightness and running a gas line through the walls to power the new Wolf range. Additionally, a SubZero fridge was added, along with a pocket space for an espresso area and a display space for the homeowners’ cognac bottle collection. A four-seater island and built-in cabinetry housing fine China finish off the warm and inviting room. “I created 3-D renderings for each room so that the clients could see how they would look,” Fazzari says. “And I always measure and scale everything, even the furniture, to make sure that everything fits and looks exactly how I see it in my mind.”
Fazzari has exceptional attention to detail, which is evident throughout the space — from the primary bedroom to the den-turned-library. In the former, she removed closet doors to revamp the room and create flow and space. She added wallpaper and bedside hanging pendants and combined custom drapes, pillows and bedding for a chic hotel-like style. In the ensuite, she constructed a large shower, a double sink, a private toilet area and incorporated porcelain flooring. In the library, she designed built-ins and a niche nook to showcase the couple’s mix of glass, stone, pottery and sculptural art.
“I really go the extra mile for my clients and provide the best design that I see fitting their lifestyle,” she says. “I create a very positive experience. I use great tradespeople, I have an amazing team and our work speaks for itself, so my clients trust the process. But the best reward for me is the clients’ happiness and these clients are extremely pleased with their comfortable and chic condo.”