residential | ARIDO

Lofty living in this chic urban sanctuary

It is always a dream to work on a project with high ceilings.

In our Eglinton project, the building was home to offices and was converted in the early 2000’s, giving a very spacious layout and 11-foot ceilings to play with. Our starting point was keeping the existing concrete floors and refinishing them in Epoxy to maintain the look and feel of an industrial loft.

Interior Designer: Luca Campacci, ARIDO
Design Firm: Level Studio
Photographer: Vinh Le

Black kitchen with flush doors, no hardware and industrial elements

Black matte kitchen cabinets without hardware and matching black stone on counters and backsplash. Bread and flowers as display details are on the counter

The exposed conduit and HVAC worked in our favour to maintain this look and feel as well.

We completely renovated and configured the kitchen appliance locations to create a more functional flow. The client had a bold vision for an all-black kitchen which we balanced with a large white island. The stone used, both black and white, are of the same, complimentary line and the veins match and speak to each other. Another request from the client was to have no hardware pulls in the kitchen so we went with all integrated panel ready appliances, push open cabinetry and fingertip pulls.

The black ceramic dining table has dramatic veins, so we paired it with more subtle grey upholstered chairs. We went with a trio of unique pendant lights that designate the kitchen, living and dining area in the open concept loft.

A view of the neutral coloured dining and kitchen areas, looking in the direction of the large windows, and an antique sideboard visible underneath the windows

We curated with our client two excellent pieces by Christoph Niemann that pull in a kaleidoscope of colors that we also introduced subtly in the large rug in the living area and the runner in the foyer.

There are quite a few showstoppers in this project and one of them is the large yellow sectional in the living area. Yellow and black are a classic colour combination and we knew it was the perfect choice for this project. We felt that black metal was the best accent of choice to work with the loft feel and was incorporated in the many legs of the accent pieces such as drink tables, side tables and chairs.

A view from the living area through large glass doors with black frames into the library with colourful book collection on custom-designed shelves

Another show stopping moment is the library. Originally a den with a much smaller opening, we opened up the room to really exaggerate the height of this loft. A custom window and door system measuring 10′ by 10′ was designed with our metalsmith team to bring as much natural light in this room as possible and incorporate the industrial aesthetic. Custom-designed shelves house our clients extensive book collection and special care was taken into consideration as we had to work with the existing HVAC and conduit locations in addition to the ceiling height changes from the concrete slab poured. Our client also dreamed of having a ladder in their library which we jumped at the chance to include with such a high space to work with.

We worked with the existing sliding doors and rails in this unit, but they were a dated yellowish natural wood colour. Our solution was to prime and paint them black, so they spoke with the other elements in the loft.

Finally, the primary bedroom is a touch more subtle with a large king bed in a soft grey wool fabric. A colourful artwork piece the client owned hangs overhead with walnut accent tables on either end.

Monochrome grey and white bedroom with colourful artwork above the headboard and colourful pillows

This chic loft, meticulously adorned in the timeless elegance of neutral blacks, greys and whites, transforms into a vibrant masterpiece with carefully curated splashes of color and industrial touches. The result is an aesthetic symphony where each element plays its part, creating a harmonious blend of sophistication and energy. From the sleek industrial details to the lively bursts of color, this loft truly embraces modern urban living.

From an out-of-date nunnery to a modern family home

Located in the Junction neighbourhood of Toronto, this home was built in the 1970s as an abbey to six nuns. Although the six bedrooms made a cozy home for the nuns, the partial walls, tiny kitchen and odd corners made the house cramped and closed off for its new homeowners – a young and modern Toronto family.

Interior Designer: Jude Kamal, ARIDO
Design firm: Sansa Interiors
Photographer: Bruno Belli

Kitchen is white with wood accents and industrial style lighting above the island

Our team at Sansa Interiors beautifully renovated this city house of 3,600 square feet and turned it into a modern, open and earthy home. We knew that the best approach was to open up the interior to take full advantage of all the space they had available. As a young family, maximizing their living space while delivering a clean and modern look, was a top priority.

Fire place with the vertical wooden slat detail, and white flat surface encasing the opening of the fire place. Built-in shelving on both sides of the fireplace

We opened up the interiors making it easier for the family to entertain guests and create greater visibility for when their kids are playing in the other room. We reconfigured the entire main and second floor, fully customized the bathroom and kitchen and made a more full-sized master bedroom.

The family also wanted to feel closer to the outdoors. With natural materials, earthy tones and custom millwork, we gave the family the organic, fresh and functional space they were seeking. The design brings nature in and provides for an indoor-outdoor space that allows our client to expand their space beyond traditional boundaries.

A view of the smaller bathroom toward the tub, with a wood coloured vanity against the sage green wall tile and the red and white fun patterned wall paper on the opposite wall visible in the mirror. The hardware and mirror are industrial style with black finishes

Kid's bedroom with a fun wall paper on one section of the wall and two pieces of art work above the bed. The light fixture that hangs above the bed is made of rattan

Having a cohesive concept from start to finish, enabled us to design a fresh yet functional interior that our clients were seeking. Once complete, this home became completely unrecognizable! With a reconfigured main and second floor, new bathroom, extra bedroom, and a larger full-sized primary bedroom with an ensuite, this full house renovation gave our clients the space they deserved with the aesthetic they desired.

What to ask before hiring an Interior Designer

At my firm, Sanura Design, we love educated clients – and curious clients. An integral part of our process is ensuring our clients have all the information they need- and that includes knowing the design process, permit process, construction process, and everything in between.

So… what do you need to know before you hire me or another design professional?

1: Personality isn’t everything- but fit is really important

Interior design is an incredibly personal job- especially when designing your home. As your interior designer I know things like: what’s in your bedtime table, how you arrange your undies, what you have for breakfast, and your morning bathroom habits. Most of which I bet your friends don’t know. That means when you search for an interior designer you’re searching for someone you can be open with, and work with in their professional capacity. How do you know your interior designer is right for you (after checking qualifications, experience, etc)? How do you know you’ll be friendly with someone?

2: Are they qualified?

Have a good look at what you’d like to accomplish for your project and what your goals are. Are you simply freshening a space by changing furniture, paint colours, lighting fixtures? That’s something you can hire an interior designer OR decorator for. Are you moving walls, changing your HVAC, electrical, etc, adding an addition, or generally altering your actual home in some way? That’s where you need a qualified professional- a registered interior designer is a regulated profession in Ontario where you know exactly what we need to know to earn our title of “interior designer” and we answer to our organization when we aren’t standing up to our code of ethics. Other design professionals do have extensive experience in renovations and may have a comprehensive skill set, if you hire someone like this the next step will be a very important one.

3: Check their references

Whether you’re hiring us, another registered interior designer, or another design professional, a very important step is asking for and checking a few references. You’re looking for past clients that have undergone similar work to your project, and a bonus can sometimes be hearing from other professionals, like contractors or consultants. You want to have a personal conversation with them and get a good idea for what their experience is like, exactly what the person you may be hiring did for them and what challenges came up. You need to check multiple references as this gives you a much fuller picture of who you’ll be working with.

4: Are they insured?

That’s their problem right? Professionals who do good work don’t need liability insurance- they never get sued.
Incorrect! Liability insurance isn’t just to cover a professional from unhappy clients, it’s also to cover the project from unforeseen circumstances- like a defective product, an incorrectly installed finish, or the incorrect product being installed (among many many other things). Mistakes happen, even with the best professionals, and true professionals carry this protection for themselves, their employees, and their projects.

5: Do they have a contract?

Contracts are incredibly important to your renovation. Both your contractor AND your interior designer should have detailed contracts for you to sign. For an interior designer they should include things like: fees/payment schedule, scope of work, details for breaking the contract, and clarify each sides responsibilities- to name a few. These contracts protect YOU the most- and I can’t emphasize that enough. If something goes wrong during the project and you didn’t sign a contract- you have no options and no protection. The longer and more detailed your professional’s contract is, the more confident you should feel in hiring them. This means they’re openly laying out exactly how they work and ensuring you understand the full process before you sign up for a project with them. A good professional is also always willing to go through their contract with you in detail to help you feel more comfortable.

Whew! That was a technical one. I’m sure I missed something (we don’t want an essay on the subject!), but it will serve as a great rule of thumb to ensure you get the right professional for your project.

Do you have any questions on what the qualifications of a registered interior designer ARE or would like to find one in your area? Check out the ARIDO website.

If you want to chat with us about your project and see if we’re a good fit for you? Get in touch with us.

This post first appeared on Sanura Design | Full Service Interior Design.

This forever home is anything but ordinary

This end unit condo in a wooded area of Kitchener was as basic as they come, with builder grade finishes and elements, and most importantly, an unfunctional layout. Our clients had decided to downsize from a larger home with their daughters, and hired us to design a modern, sleek, and customized forever home tailored to their lifestyle and create a light and airy interior with unique touches throughout.

Interior Designer: Sarah Turner, ARIDO
Design Firm: Head Turner Designs
Photographer: Jason Hartog

Our creative process began by collaborating with an engineer during the procurement stage to ensure the feasibility of eliminating the sizable column situated awkwardly at an angled peninsula in the middle of the countertop. Once the engineer approved this modification, we had the flexibility to expand the floor plan and effectively double the size of the kitchen.

The island was intricately designed to serve a dual function, allowing seating on both sides with stools that can be conveniently tucked beneath the countertop. When viewed from the living room, the fluted base of the island is revealed behind the elegant emerald green and gold low backed chairs, and on the kitchen side, stools are positioned for enjoying coffee and engaging in conversation with guests.

To let even more light flow into the kitchen space, we opened up the stairs and removed the outdated wooden railing in the loft area looking down at the living and kitchen and replaced it with a modern glass partition.

Slat wall that runs along the entire length of the stair, from the main entrance foyer to the kitchen and living spaces, is reminiscent of the slats on the kitchen island, not only adding interest in the interior but creating a cohesive and unified look throughout the entire home. The slat wall was also built to conceal the closet and entry to the garage, blending in all the doors seamlessly, and was backed with a felt material to improve the overall acoustics in the space, and minimize sound travel with the newly open staircase.

In the living room and kitchen, beams were added to the double height ceiling as a decorative detail. By repeating some of the white oak we used for flooring on another plane in the space, the ceiling is no longer plain white which adds interest, and creates balance and continuity in the space. We added a bold, statement light fixture in rose gold called ‘Melt’ by Tom Dickson to add another touch of luxury in the interior.

The fireplace we custom designed instantly became a feature in this home as it accentuates the height of the ceilings by drawing the eye up upon entering the room. By keeping the wall colour light, we created a contrast to the dramatic veining in the stone. A lighting reveal was designed under the fireplace, which is consistent with the lighting under the kitchen island to illuminate the white oak fluting.

In the bathroom, the floating high lacquer-finish vanity in Emerald green with built-in motion sensor lighting underneath is perfectly complemented by the white oak look porcelain tile, making the entire space look sleek and modern, and most importantly, custom suited for our clients. The in-floor heating adds another layer of comfort and customization in the space. All the integrated lighting details throughout the home were kept below the peripheral level to provide an indirect light source used in the evenings to encourage relaxation and improve sleep quality by supporting their natural circadian rhythm.

Our client’s sewing hobby is very important to her, so it was a natural choice to convert the spare bedroom in the house into a custom spacious and airy sewing room. We equipped it with a mobile island, a sewing machine that is integrated into the counter so the work surface is flush with the counter top. We also thought it was important to design custom floor to ceiling millwork for ample storage for supplies. A true sewing haven!

This sleek and stylish forever home, meticulously crafted with custom design elements, stands as a testament to the perfect fusion of modern aesthetics and family-friendly functionality. From the welcoming front door to the thoughtfully designed living spaces and the practical yet chic kitchen, every detail has been tailored to enhance the daily lives of our clients. This light and airy home is not just about style; it’s a reflection of a family’s unique identity and a commitment to creating lasting memories in a space that effortlessly combines design with the practical needs of everyday life.

Homes made for holiday entertaining and memorable gatherings

Prepare to be enchanted as you step into these homes perfect for festive celebrations! Picture yourself in the heart of these abodes, where kitchens sprawl out with abundant space, creating a culinary playground for crafting the most delectable holiday feasts imaginable.

The dining rooms, with their generous dimensions, are not just places to enjoy a meal; they’re lively hubs for creating lasting memories during joyous gatherings.

In the living rooms, warmth permeates the air, and a cozy ambiance sets the stage for laughter and shared moments. And let’s not forget the abundance of guest beds that turn these homes into overnight oases for family and friends, transforming them into the ultimate festive rendezvous points.

A Contemporary Country Home Made for Entertaining

This 10,000 square foot newly built country home was designed with a contemporary yet warm design aesthetic full of nature-inspired finishes, materials, and colour palettes. Set on a beautiful rural property, it’s a perfect family home with the ground level meant for private daily family living and the lower level serving as a stunning entertainment hub.

Interior Designers: Neil Jonsohn, ARIDO; Kelly Cray, ARIDO
Design Team: Noelle Lekkas, ARIDO
Design Firm: U31
Photographer: Gillian Jackson

Read more about this project here.

A modern take on classic design creates a tranquil oasis in this new build

Stunning view of the kitchen looking onto the huge kitchen island that seats s5 and has 6 storage cabinets in the base

Located in Southern Ontario, this 2,100 square-foot new-build bungalow boasts a spacious open concept layout that will serve its owners as their forever home. The owners were looking for a timeless, modern take on classic design that was light and bright but warmed up with wood, organic materials, and natural textures.

Designer: Nicole de Vries, ARIDO
Design Firm: Maison Blonde
Photographer: Brad de Vries

Read more about this project here.

ARIDO Award: Ravine House

To achieve better flow within the interior, one of our design solutions addressed moving the dining room closer to the living room. We added a second set of stairs into the sunken living room to connect the two spaces. Level changes defined the living room and created a subtle separation from the dining room while still allowing for views of each space. Bringing these two rooms closer together reduced vacant space allowing for a new family room, and created a sense of intimacy in the spaces.

Interior Designer: Dana Kosich, ARIDO
Design Firm: Hiatus Design Ltd.
Design Team: Carol-Anne Blackburn, ARIDO; Kelly Breiter, ARIDO
Photographer: Lauren Miller

Read more about this project here.

It’s all about the details in this heritage home restoration

Living room with hardwood laid in a herringbone pattern, white walls with crown moulding, and gray sofas. A brass lamp with a black pedestel over hangs the three seater sofa.

This private residence, dating back to the 1920’s, was built in the English Country style on a ravine property in Toronto’s picturesque Rosedale neighbourhood. Over the decades, renovations to the home, including the infilling of a broad covered porch with a garage, had altered the home’s character, both inside and out.

Interior Designer: Wayne Swadron, ARIDO
Design Firm: Wayne Swadron Interiors Ltd.
Photographer: Valerie Wilcox

Read more about this project here.

This home is a marriage of minimalism and tradition

A vast kitchen with pale panelling is the backdrop for a long island with two heights and bar sink.

The overall design for the project was influenced by the minimal exterior created by the architect and setting the tone for the design vocabulary in the interior. This compelled us to keep ornamentation to a minimum and respect the architecture while maintaining a warm and inviting atmosphere. In an effort to appease the client’s differing views, it was important to strike a balance between minimalism and tradition.

Interior Designer: Dana Kosich, ARIDO
Design Firm: Hiatus Design Ltd
Design Team: Kelly Breiter, Intern, ARIDO
Photographer: Dana Kosich, Eric Malinski

Luxury with a view

Sometimes the shape of a room dictates the furniture and millwork layout. In the case of our Esplanade project, the open living, kitchen, and dining room had an unbelievable view of Toronto with the windows pointed toward a structural column. During design development, we were coming up with ways to check off the clients wants while making the most functional layout that emphasized the view.

Designer: Luca Campacci, ARIDO
Design Firm: Level Studio
Photographer: Vinh Le

Beautiful two tone Kitchen and dining area showing the angled table with the stunning views of Toronto in the background

The final result was to build a new kitchen island to match the upgraded Italian kitchen and have the countertop waterfall on 3 sides. We then designed a custom made dining table in a unique shard-like shape extending on a diagonal to emphasize the shape of the room and budding up right against the island. The design allows everyone at the dining table the luxury of enjoying an amazing view of Toronto while also having ample circulation space around the kitchen and balcony access.

The furniture placement in the living room achieves the same result. Furniture is kept low and the boucle settee by the window allows the view to pass through. A fireplace feature wall in Lavastone acts as a subtle focal point to bring some warmth to the living room but does not compete with the number one contender – the view.

Feature wall in the living room, with modern monochromatic furniture placed around the fireplace looking over the city

Modern monochromatic furniture and a burgundy accent lounge chair placed around the fireplace in the living room looking over the city

One bedroom was turned into a home office with custom bookshelves to feature our client’s love of reading. A dark grey on the walls allows this room to feel very cozy in the day and allows someone to marvel at the amazing cityscape at night. The client had an amazing antique Chinese curio cabinet that was open on both sides to continuously bring the cityscape inside. With a love of family and ancestry, we curated a collection of family photos going back generations opposite the marble base desk, making the perfect backdrop for video calls.

This custom bookshelf was also strategically designed with an opening of 66″ so that it can house a queen size mattress in the future with the bookshelf acting as a visual feature headboard should the client ever wish to sell.

Accent lounge chair in burgundy in a monochromatic office space, with an antique Chinese cabinet as contrast to modern decor

The second bedroom colour was inspired by the antique Chinese chairs our client owned. We pulled the deep merlot colour and added a sofa bed for guests to maximize functionality.

The primary bedroom is more serene with a softer palette of pinks and lavender. A fluted upholstered wall paired with a wallpaper motif creates the headboard of a low platform bed frame. A vanity console table acts as both an end table and a functional space to apply makeup to start the day.

Second bedroom with a burgundy accent wall and colourful art work

An empty open niche was turned into a more functional pantry for storage and pulls in the colours, materials, and finishes throughout the home.

We designed a beautiful yet functional space that most importantly emphasizes the amazing views of the city as the star feature of this interior. The design strikes a balance between antique and modern, as well as feminine and masculine aesthetic with the use of purple, pink, and grey colour scheme throughout.

A detail of the vanity in the soft coloured bedroom, featuring beautiful wallpaper and headboard

Soft coloured bedroom, featuring beautiful wallpaper and headboard, and sculptural lighting above the bed

ARIDO Award: Elevator Cabs

The challenge of this elevator cab redesign was to create a mobile portal between a well-aged ground floor lobby that would seamlessly integrate with each of the floors above.

Category: DISTINCT

Interior Designers: Michel Arcand, ARIDO; Donald Parker, ARIDO
Design Firm: IN8 Design Inc.
Design Team: Gillian Gregory, ARIDO
Photographer: Tom Arban Photography Inc.

In this vast project with a tiny footprint, everything from technology, lighting, mood, and the rider’s experience needed to be considered. Taking inspiration from two major pieces of art in the ground floor lobby, the design team mounted 869 birds per cab on backlit Corian panels, alluding to the ascent of cab passengers.

All other spaces in the cab are covered with lightweight porcelain slabs, and introduce appropriate levels of contrast for people with vision loss. Each cab was also upgraded with new control technology to enhance the experience and reduce travel time.

Taking colour and pattern to build a world of whimsy

Our clients, a young fun couple, loved the layout of their new condo located in the epicentre of culture and nightlife in downtown Toronto, but they were not in love with the boring and cookie cutter basic finishes, especially in the kitchen and bathrooms. They were looking to add colour, pattern, and personality with mid-century modern touches throughout the entire interior. This is where we came in with plans to create a more functional interior, one that is joyful and whimsical, and, most importantly, feels like home.

Interior Designer: Cori Halpern, ARIDO
Design Firm: Cori Halpern Interiors
Photographer: Virginia MacDonald

Colourful living room area with plenty of pattern and texture along with mid century modern touches like the freform coffee tables and contrasting lounge chair. The room is surrounded by city views.

Even before they were in possession of their new condo, we got to work and started thinking about the finishes, bold colours, and patterns along with the mid century modern touches that would reflect the couple’s joyous personality.

Our starting point in terms of design and colour scheme was the stunning colourful fabric we used to dress up the endless floor to ceiling windows on all sides. The lively pattern on the fabric recalls colourful tattoo art that adds movement into the space and serves as the perfect colour inspiration for the rest of the interior.

The foyer was turned from an empty, bland space to a welcoming one, with a sunny yellow console table and a small gallery wall that adds character while hiding the electrical box.

Foyer with bright lemon yellow console table against the light blue walls with a small gallery wall

Vanity in the powder room, with gold details and teal coloured cabinets and armoir, while the whimsical mermaid wall paper dresses the walls

The little powder room located off the foyer was originally combined with the laundry room, which was aesthetically not pleasing and not functional at all because both areas were really small. The main goal here was to make it feel like one unified space as opposed to two separate rooms, which we achieved with custom millwork, leveled ceilings, better lighting and keeping the machines enclosed behind doors. With the addition of luxurious finishes and whimsical details, this space now has a magical feel.

The basic, super modern original kitchen needed to be gutted and reconfigured into a space that will become the heart of the home, the star of the entire space. Right from the start, we all gravitated toward teal as the new colour for this dream kitchen. We wanted to create a seamless look by painting the bulkhead and the range hood in the same colour as the kitchen cabinets, and decided on a panel-ready, or built-in, 36” fridge, so the eye can travel through the space easily and seamlessly.

We designed a significantly longer and deeper island with more functional storage, which was possible because the clients didn’t want any seating at the island. By not placing the sink or stove on the island counter, we created a full run of counter space and maximum flexibility to use as they please, depending on the occasion.

Teal coloured, fluted kitchen island with smooth top counter surface displaying large bright yellow flowers in a vase, and seamless cabinets in teal on the wall. Sculptural golden light fixture is above.

Teal coloured, fluted kitchen island with smooth top counter surface looking onto the living room area and city views out the floor to ceiling windows

The curved edges on the fluted kitchen island create a more inviting and traffic friendly space, while softening up the otherwise square edged, boxy floor plan.

One of the challenges in this condo was not being able to move the junction boxes in the dining, kitchen and living room areas, which meant we had to make all the light fixtures in these spaces work together and complement each other. We chose a unique piece by a local Canadian manufacturer, a stunning sculptural light for the kitchen, and a quiet, mid-century Nelson pendant for the living room.

Colourful dining, kitchen and living area in bold colour combinations inspired by the lively pattern on the window drapery

In this room, it was all about the mix of fun modular pieces that add flexibility. The custom-designed freeform walnut cocktail tables in a natural stain finish add to the MCM vibe and can be configured in multiple different ways for maximum flexibility and functionality. The space is kept modern and fresh by the lounge chair in graphic black and white patterning which harmonises with the cozy textured rug underfoot.

The primary bedroom is dressed in softer blush hues and a beautiful floral wallpaper to create a romantic atmosphere the clients wanted in this space. Originally, the bedroom and ensuite entry sliding doors were flimsy and provided no privacy. So we added new sliding doors and hardware that were completely custom designed and then supplied and installed by a local Toronto company. They resemble works of art while creating more privacy and sound absorption for anyone using the space.

Romantic bedroom space with floral wall paper, mid century modern furniture and elegant drapery

The stunning blush pink sliding door leads to the ensuite bathroom, which was originally very dark, with dark wall tile, and very little lighting. Our solution was to play with the surfaces and brighten the space up by using reflective tile that brightens and reflects back the light, and better, more functional lighting.

We injected so much life and joy into this previously empty interior, to reflect our clients’ personalities and create a home they feel and look good in. It was important for them to have a lot of colour and pattern, with custom and unique pieces and mid-century modern touches. And we delivered. The entire space is now infused with pattern, colour and whimsy, and is also a more personalized, functional and liveable home.

These bedroom interiors are what dreams are made of

It’s #makeyourbed day and we thought it would be fun to roundup a few stunning bedrooms we published on BLOG//ARIDO

These Registered Interior Designers set the tone for a restful night’s sleep and the sweetest dreams by creating original and unique spaces with a calm and relaxing ambiance for their clients.

This condo mixes hotel chic with seaside calm

View across a bed made with gray linens to the hallway outside.

The client sought the convenience of living in the heart of Toronto, while enjoying jet setting to other major cities with a minimal commitment back home, was paramount. They wanted the look of a high-end hotel, infused with seaside calm, and customized millwork throughout.

Interior Designer: Heather Segreti, ARIDO
Design Firm: Segreti Design Inc
Project Photographer: Larry Arnal

Read full article here.

A vibrant masterpiece sets a playful tone in this cottage interior

The Jellybean Cottage was designed to allow multiple generations to enjoy a fun and relaxing space together, while also enabling the owners to comfortably transition to living in their cottage full time and age in place.

Divided amongst the main level are the primary gathering spaces including the great room, kitchen, and Muskoka room, facilitating a social and relaxed environment. Meandering down a private corridor leads to the primary suite, which is easily accessible and spacious to allow for the owners to gracefully transition to full time living.

Interior Designer: Melissa Franklin, ARIDO
Design Firm: Madison Taylor Inc
Photographer: Niamb Barry Photography

Read full article here.

This Toronto condo is a perfect mix of tranquility and invigoration

The inspiration for the master bedroom suite was the aesthetic of a tranquil boutique hotel, an original and unique space with a calm and relaxing ambiance. By using a combination of a leatherette headboard with accent floral wallpaper above it we designed a custom headboard that adds character and warmth in this room.

Vertical fabric paneling on both sides of the bed that incorporates practical bedside lamps, adds to the concept of a boutique hotel feel we wanted to achieve.

Interior Designer: Simon Rowlands, ARIDO
Design Firm: Rowlands Associates Inc.
Photographer: Rowlands Associates

Read full article here.

A serene condo in Toronto’s bustling downtown

When purchasing this 1,205 square foot condo, steps away from Toronto’s downtown core, the client imagined a highly customized, open space that buffered the hectic city environment with serenity and calm.

The design elements add up to an effective balance of functionality and style with modern, natural and rustic elements executed in visual harmony.

Interior Designer: Mini Ryu, ARIDO
Design Firm: Ryu Design
Project Photographer: Margaret Mulligan

Read full article here.

ARIDO Award: Charlotte Street Penthouse

Main bedroom featuring wood panelling that frames the bed and features large statement art piece

Architectural wood detailing in this Toronto condo is carried through the interior and exterior in various iterations, fostering warmth. It is present from the very first moment one enters the home in the floor to ceiling wood panelling and closets in the hallway leading to the living area.

In the bedroom it provides a handsome backdrop to the streamlined bed and frames the opening to the exposed wet room off of the ensuite. Here, it contributes to the contemporary luxury hotel room vibe which the client appreciates.

Interior Designers: Kelly Cray, ARIDO: Neil Johnsohn, ARIDO; Jennifer Welsh, ARIDO
Design Firm: U31
Photographer: Gillian Jackson

Read full article here.

This Toronto home is a colourful reflection of the owner’s vibrant personality

Colour was critical in our Valleyview Residence project because we wanted this home to be as interesting as our client. He had a wonderful collection of rolled prints, trinkets and knick knacks that he had collected over the years from his travels, or were gifts from friends and family over a long period of time that all told a great story, and we wanted to create plenty of opportunities to display them.

Designer: Luca Campacci, ARIDO
Design Firm: Level Studio
Photographer: Vinh Le

During our first meeting, our client said how he always wanted the colourful Eames Hang it all Rack which we put up in the foyer. What’s funny is that all the colours in the rack piece ended up somewhere in his home. It was a great jumping off point for the entire scheme and we felt that being bolder with colour was the best way to emulate our client’s wonderful personality.

We started from the living room and worked our way out. We pitched a rounded sofa as it would work with the existing layout of the room better and from there, we carefully selected pieces that were functional, flexible and allowed our client to entertain large groups of people with ease.

The fireplace was a challenge as we replaced an electric one with gas and the client wanted to keep elements of the existing concrete wall. So we came up with a linear design to salvage as much of the concrete as possible.

The dining area had a long wall that was perfect to curate a gallery of prints and trinkets from various friends and family. Each piece told a wonderful story and the ability to tell each one over a dinner party was an idea our client gravitated towards.

The primary bedroom feels more serene and relaxing. A repeated diamond shape was used in the wallpaper, rug and throw with more subtle, muted colours that ties into the ensuite. Subtle gold accents complete the room.

We selected a moody teal for the den as there was a large window with lots of natural light so it would never feel dark. Our client is an avid reader and we wanted to give him all the space possible to display his books, pictures, and trinkets. We were inspired by the colours in the custom rug and pulled from them.

It was decided that the basement would be the best place for the TV as the space allowed for a better furniture layout with a sectional. The series of fun planetary prints also continues to bring colour throughout the scheme.

By letting colour be our main guide throughout the design process and using the client’s amazing print collections and trinkets, we created a vibrant and bold interior that was the perfect reflection of the owner’s personality.

That’s what makes this Valleyview Residence a one of a kind, unique home full of stories and mementos to be enjoyed for years to come.