In Toronto’s West End, Dart Studio was tasked with transforming a once-disjointed home into a functional space with great flow. “Our clients are busy professionals with a young daughter,” says Olivia Botrie, Creative Director and Principal Designer at the studio. “They purchased the house knowing that they were going to undertake a large renovation to create their dream home. They wanted to eliminate the awkward main floor layout and create a more open-concept main floor. The house felt disjointed from basement to third floor, so they wanted to create a cohesive aesthetic throughout all floors.”
Along with Cornerbrook Construction, Olivia and Mariane Kawamura of Dart Studio led the charge on the redesign. The entire house was gutted back to the studs from basement to the third floor. Their scope included adding a small two-story addition to the rear of the house and installing dormers on the third floor to create more usable space.
The creative design process began in the kitchen. “Functionally, it’s the most important room of the house,” Olivia explains. “We wanted to create a timeless, casual space that would feel cozy in both summer and winter.” The clients wanted a space that could hold up to wear and tear, so they installed a Dekton slab that would give the look of natural stone without the maintenance. The island is painted in Farrow & Ball’s Studio Green, which provides a calming contrast. The standout element in the space is the custom hood, which adds a dose of texture.
In the powder room, they installed a Kelly Ventura wallpaper. “Our clients’ friends always comment on the powder room wallpaper,” Olivia says. “The watercolor flowers provide a big impact in a small space, and the paneling color is also Studio Green from Farrow & Ball, which is a nice tie into the kitchen island.” The clients use the rear entrance daily, so the designers extended cabinetry to provide mudroom storage while keeping the overall feel light and airy.
The principal bedroom serves as a cozy, relaxing retreat, and Olivia says they were thrilled when the clients were on board with the dark brown paint color. “We used brass accents and lighter wood to balance the rich wall color,” she explains. “The ensuite’s walnut cabinets and dark blue accent tile connect to the dark brown paint color, creating continuity between the spaces. We mixed metals to create a more casual feeling that fits with our clients’ lifestyle. The textured vinyl wallcovering from Phillip Jeffries adds another dimension to the space and protects the walls from water damage.”
The couple was thrilled with the end result. “We’ve actually been working with them on other projects following this renovation,” Olivia shares. “They found the process enjoyable as our team handles all the permitting, project management, etc. so they really could relax and get involved in the fun elements like furnishings.”
