The wish list was long for these homeowners, but every detail — from the cool colour palette to the custom millwork — ensured they would have the perfect home for their family.
By Lisa van de Geyn
If you know Toronto’s prestigious Lorne Park neighbourhood, you know the area’s homes are magazine-worthy—truly luxurious and beautifully detailed to fit homeowners to a tee. “For this build, our client entrusted us to create a bespoke home. They were looking to move into a generous space for entertaining and enjoying their opulent lifestyle,” says Suzi Kaloti, the owner of Lavish Design Build based in Oakville, Ont. “Their desired style was made up of cool tones such as grey, purple, blue and chrome; they wanted transitional and glamorous.”
So that’s where the team at Lavish started. The 9,000-square-foot, five-bedroom palatial space was a new build and came with a long wish list from the homeowners—they requested heated flooring, custom ceilings and panelling, custom walnut millwork, designer chandeliers, state-of-the-art technology and appliances, and plenty of filling the entire home. “Other requirements were an open-concept kitchen and family room for daily entertainment, sizeable master bedroom with fireplace and private balcony, a large great room (big enough to fit a 15-foot Christmas tree), an outdoor entertainment area and a walk-out basement with bar and home theatre,” says Kaloti.
“Our goal was to create a luxurious yet comfortable space that’s functional, and our inspiration was French transitional with a modern flare,” she says, adding the floor plan was designed to maximize an open-concept feel for social gatherings and quality family time, while “ensuring private spaces, such as the office and powder room, were kept separate from traffic and other everyday noises.”
As with all of Lavish’s builds, it came down to subtle details and perfect execution. The main floor spans 3,000 square feet and flows intuitively and ergonomically, Kaloti says. “The grand entrance features a 20-foot high ceiling and micro-panelling details that set the standard of craftsmanship for the entire design.” An 18-foot window, overlooking a lush and well-manicured backyard—is a showpiece in the great room, while the kitchen tells a story of precision. “No design element goes unseen. Three different stone countertops are uniformed to complement the open spaces,” she says. “The table offsetting the island is designed for everyday meals while the open flow to the family room allows maximum breathability. The touches of chrome and hidden lighting accessorize the space to fill out the more mundane parts of an every-day kitchen making it extra-ordinary. For every corner there is a conversation piece to discuss, complimenting the design structure of the kitchen.”
The family room is where the whole look comes together. “The grey-toned wood, book-match marble slabs and tufted purple velvet couches create a grand yet fresh environment.” Rounding out the space is custom storage and shelving (filled with collected works of art and family photos) surrounding the marble fireplace.
Walk upstairs and you’ll find the second floor boasts five generously sized bedrooms, each with their own ensuite bathroom and perfectly appointed closets. The principal bedroom recreates a private sanctuary. “It evokes warmth, style and tranquility. The taupe-coloured panels are inspired by the iconic Burberry pattern, envisioned to add architectural interest and a unique element of luxury,” says Kaloti. The custom headboard is black suede and copper, pulling focus as the centrepiece of the room.
The basement is one of those aspirational rooms that’s all about entertainment. “There’s a fully stocked bar adjoining a large recreational space for our clients and their guests to enjoy,” she says. “One unique quality of this basement are the 10-foot-high ceilings, direct access to the backyard and full-sized windows, allowing for maximum sunlight. There’s also a home gym, 16-seat theatre and a custom sauna, all of which guarantee our clients will never want to leave.”
The homeowners were impressed with the design elements and how everything chosen complemented the flow of the space. “They enjoyed merging luxury with comfort and were truly happy to move into their dream home,” she says. “Seeing the ideas and designs come to life is definitely exciting. And the most rewarding is when homeowners love every bit of it.”
Photography by Vincenzo Pistritto