ROOM TO BREATH

By Eve Thomas
Photography by Larry Arnal

Health is wealth,” as the saying goes, and one of the greatest luxuries of all is a space in which to relax, entertain and spend time with family. So it makes perfect sense that a recent project by Toronto design firm Contempo Studio in the prestigious St. Andrew-Windfields area is a sanctuary designed to balance luxury and serenity.

“Toronto is such a busy, high-gear city,” says Contempo founder and owner Marin Zabzuni. “People need a getaway.” Zabzuni and his team set out to bring that feeling of refuge to a sprawling 8,000-square-foot French-chateau-style home on Wimpole Drive, built for—and with—new clients who had admired Contempo’s work across the city.

“We have a strong portfolio, over 10 years in business and a great reputation for delivering the whole package,” says Zabzuni, adding that while Contempo had already worked on a project nearby, this was their biggest home in the neighbourhood so far. “Our clients come to us to build a dream home, and we’re there every step of the way, walking them through the entire process from initial design to final construction,” says Zabzuni. In this case, the “we” included V&S Design for the interior design and Lawrence Park Development for the build. “These clients have young children and were looking for something that would be both transitional and luxurious,” Zabzuni explains of the overall vision for the property. “It needed to fit into the neighbourhood’s neoclassical aesthetic but still stand out with our unique design sensibility.”

Approaching the house, visitors are first struck by its grand limestone-clad facade, partially hidden behind full gating—a must for privacy and peace of mind (as is the Control4 tech that automates and secures the entire
home). Nestled in a landscaped garden accented by water features, the full circular concrete driveway, heated and bordered in natural granite, leads to an expansive three-car garage. Zabzuni notes that the driveway was a client request that involved some expert maneuvering. “The lot is wide, but not deep, so we had to figure out how to maximize livable space, inside and out,” he says, also pointing to the roof, tastefully staggered to break up its width.

The grand entrance already hints at the mix of classical and creative design inside. “It’s not your typical stone, roof and columns,” says Zabzuni. “It’s custom designed and built in limestone.”

Inside, the foyer’s floor is accented with curved borders and brass inlays, overlooked by a second-floor lounge. The back of the house is open, breezy and luxuriously expansive, from the kitchen, with its oversized island and top-of-the-line Miele appliances, to the breakfast nook and living area. 

Throughout, bespoke European floors, aluminum windows, an abundance of porcelain and marble slabs, and a curved fireplace create a subtly opulent feel. Accessible by elevator, five bedrooms each boast their own bathroom, and the primary has a generous living area and balcony—a sanctuary within a sanctuary.

Downstairs, the full walkout basement is a wellness destination in its own right, featuring a sauna, cold plunge pool, rec room, bar and home gym. It opens onto a backyard that’s equally equipped for entertaining and taking it easy, with a Japanese garden, sprawling deck, full outdoor kitchen and an in-ground pool with a splash pad for the children. “Clients are requesting more pools, and they’re becoming more common, even in Canada,” Zabzuni says. “People may not be able to use them year-round, but they want to make the most of those warmer months.”

The finished home is just what the clients asked for, expertly blending practicality, luxury and tranquility. “We were able to deliver on that vision while still keeping the house grounded in classic, timeless design elements,” Zabzuni says.