The purposely limited colour palette of neutral tones – crisp white, black and wood – combined with a few curated furniture pieces and artworks reflect a sense of peace. Design studio Burdifilek followed a pared-back approach for a couple who wanted a respite from the bold colours and patterns that fill their days at the office, where one half of the couple works as the Creative Director of her own wallcovering company.
Situated in a quiet neighbourhood of Toronto – but still a stone-throw away from the center of the city – the Georgian-style home is surrounded by beautiful ravines and tree-lined streets. The couple, Bonnie and Stephen, gave their full trust in Burdifilek (headed up by Diego Burdi and Paul Filek) to be as reductive as possible by removing elements such as baseboards, moldings, wall sconces and door handles to create clean interiors. Various living areas throughout the main level are divided not by doors but by ample thresholds that reach to the high ceiling.
The walls catch changes in light throughout the day and during the evening. Curtain rods have been tucked into wall pockets to keep the mechanical aspect of hanging sheers hidden from view. Burdi describes his pared-back approach as a way to create an “interior skin” for each room.
The house is classically Palladian in nature and compartmentalised, which gave the team of Burdifilek a well-proportioned canvas to work on.“The architectural envelope of this residence is characterised by a classical style with a focus on symmetry and well-balanced proportions,” says Burdi. “The effect is a careful harmony between the wall surfaces, the window openings, the various spaces, and the disposition and layering of the furniture pieces and artworks.” The entrance, living, dining and family rooms are located on the main floor. The main bedroom occupies the second level and the guest rooms are in the basement. It took 16 months to conceptualise and provide all technical design drawings.
For inspiration, Burdi travelled to London, New York, Milan and Paris, visiting showrooms, art galleries, exhibitions, and antique markets. “Most of my design inspiration came from those explorations.”
This beautifully considered home is luxurious, quiet and formally comfortable. “It embraces a sense of warmth and calm serenity,” says Burdi. “The monochromatic colour palette with a study of texture and finish reinforces the tranquil character of the residence.” Balance, proportion and architectural geometries characterize this home. “The overall effect is ‘dry’, with only a few reflective elements, including a custom coffee table made of a poured glass slab in the intimately scaled living room located near the foyer,” says Burdi. “We wanted to achieve a sense of combined grandeur and tranquillity.”
Images by doublespace photography.
