French Condo
This executive couple immigrated to Toronto in 2010, and sought to create an oasis from their busy lives; one that would give them both a sense of place and a feeling of belonging in their newly adopted country. They wanted a beautiful French-inspired space for themselves, and to have a functional guest area for their grown children's visits, which would also function as a den/reading room. The architectural challenge was to deliver a classically styled unit in a "Brutalist" 1970's condo building.
We started with an assessment of the existing layout, architectural plans, HVAC locations, electrical boxes and plumbing stacks. We advised the clients that a powder room should be added along with a storage room, a laundry room, a guest suite and a private hallway for the master suite. We created architectural interest with deep archways, stained walnut panelling, high doors to offset the eight foot ceiling height, and vertical details to create a sense of height wherever possible. By re-planning a non-functioning kitchen, we added much needed storage space. The design process included a client requirement analysis, followed by concept imaging, selecting hard materials, creating furniture plans, choosing lighting, and creating electrical and millwork drawings. We were involved in every stage of design implementation, site supervision, and coordinating with the general contractor.
The result: the transformation of an awkward, dated, two-bedroom condo into an oasis of calm, understated beauty. We achieved an Old World, French style that mixed patterns within a soft colour palette, and which resulted in a space that has a formality to the individual rooms, flows effortlessly and is a true reflection of these sophisticated, elegant new Canadians.