Luxury design homes

By Veronica Martin, Two Fold Interiors

 

As real estate, architecture and interior design trends continue to occupy greater space within our daily lives, our perception and understanding of what comprises luxury design continues to grow, as well. Historically, luxury was equated with the concept that more is better. This strong notion of excess could be found in ornate details and excessive gilding…think of the Liberace Mansion in Las Vegas. Fortunately, modern interpretations are less taxing on the wallet, and not necessarily about how much money is spent, but rather where the money is spent. It is about editing your home, choosing the right moment to shine, and considering what makes the homeowner feel spoiled. To help achieve luxury in your own home, here are four things that should be considered to help you fully realize your vision.

 

Timeless Design

 

Luxury design is timeless, and at our firm it has always been about taking a classic approach to our modern designs. We always recommend incorporating elements of the past, and then mixing in and layering contemporary details. In the entry hall of this newly built Lorne Park residence, we established a traditional presence with classic wall paneling and marble flooring, then seamlessly added a modern glass staircase and wood frame portal. The addition of the portal works to define the transition, guide the eye through the spacious entrance, and invite one into the Great Room.

 

There must also be a focus on custom and crafted details that cater to the end user and seamlessly blend with their lifestyle.  In this home, the appliance knobs are mixed with the cabinetry, and the materials have been edited to create a softer integration from the countertop to the backsplash. Over the years, we’ve worked to ensure that we have a solid understanding of our clients’ needs so that edits do not jeopardize the efficiency of their home. It’s important to know when and where you can simplify and pare back.

 

Easy Living

 

Today, design has a focus on easy living. Most of our clients value their time as an element of luxury, and so it’s important to design a space that is not only beautiful, but also intuitive for the end user. Here we consider how modern amenities and the latest technology can support our unique lifestyles. Designing an intuitive home goes beyond the automation of high-end motorized blinds or a completely integrated lighting solution. Adding elements of automation can be as simple as replacing your faucet with a touch faucet or incorporating Alexa in your kitchen for easy grocery lists or recipe instructions.

 

Authenticity

 

Authenticity is about recognizing location and respecting an overarching sense of place. A polished and tailored new build in the city needs to be developed with a much different concept than a cottage on Georgian Bay. This means that one’s choice of material and finishes is very important when there’s a need to be true to your surroundings. The stone choice in a washroom would be different in a Muskoka getaway compared to a Yorkville condominium. We encourage our clients to select materials that mimic their surroundings, ensuring there is always a strong sense of flow and integration in a space.

 

Influential

 

When undertaking a design project, there is always a quality that guides you. Through our work, we see a continuous cycle of hotel design influencing residential design, and then residential design influencing hotels. Our clients are becoming far more sophisticated, guided by world travel and the hotels they visit. In one home, our clients were inspired by the Hazelton Hotel in Toronto. We had our first meeting in the lobby bar as they wanted to capture its essence for their own project. The Hazelton’s bar is a very tailored and sophisticated space with a strong masculine feel. The bar feels intimate for small groups and couples, similar to a living room or study, and the lavish wall panels throughout could also be suited to a master bedroom. One of the key elements of this home is the monumental custom wine fridge that was inspired from the wine fridge behind the hotel bar. It is a key feature in the kitchen, and it extends into the dining room beyond. The bronze glass is a showstopper. It gives enough definition to help your eyes enjoy the view to the dining room, while connecting it back to the modern staircase that welcomes you at the front foyer.

 

As we move away from a time when luxury was equated with an ostentatious palate, and replace it with a subtle series of moments, we’ve found our clients choosing to spend more of their budget on hiding luxury in plain sight. Editing and paring back features throughout a home — without sacrificing one’s sense of luxurious living — is fast becoming the common design thread that ties all our projects together. Design is no longer about impressing guests and neighbours, but rather a reflection of our clients and how they choose to use each space in their home.

 

Veronica Martin is a partner of Two Fold Interiors. With a classic approach to modern design, the firm focuses on providing spaces that are captivating, purposeful, and inspiring. www.twofoldinteriors.com