“For a young family of four, the goal for this new home was to focus on blending style and functionality with the use of durable yet beautiful materials,” says interior designer Elyssa Maldoff. “They wanted a space that not only reflected their personal style but also met the demands of their daily family life—she is a doctor, and he is in finance. They also wanted to make sure their home would present a sense of warmth.”

Elyssa’s firm, Design State, was tasked with the interior design and decor of the newly built property. It’s located in Forest Hill, a prominent neighborhood in northwest Toronto renowned for beautiful homes and tree-lined streets. “The style of this house is modern yet warm, with clean lines and an inviting atmosphere,” Elyssa explains. “We took care of all floor plan layouts as well as designing all millwork and choosing all material finishes within the home. To give the home a turn-key feel, we also designed and sourced all furniture pieces and decorative elements throughout the home.”

They relied on a neutral base of creams and whites, giving a sense of calm, while strategically placecd wood elements offer warmth to each room. “The tall, 11-foot ceilings and oversized windows lend to enhancing the bright, open feel with views of the city trees lining the property,” the designer explains, admitting that the expansive scale of the house also proved difficult at times. “Our biggest challenge in this design was making the home feel comfortable and cozy. While the high ceilings contribute to the modern, airy atmosphere, they can sometimes create a sense of vastness that feels less intimate. To counter this, we focused on adding warmth and balance through design elements like wood accents, warm cream tones and layered lighting, and soft textures.” 

In each space, a mix of custom cabinetry, wall paneling, and ceiling beams were incorporated to make the most of the vertical space, while large area rugs ground the space. “By going with custom furniture pieces, we were able to get larger sizes which felt proportionate to each room,” Elyssa says. “Also, by bringing in warm tones, upholstered furnishings, and decorative lighting we transformed the large, open spaces into cozy areas that feel intimate, inviting and comfortable. The overall design balances luxury with livability, creating a home that is both stylish and comfortable.”

Take a tour in the slideshow.