There's Wow Factor Around Every Corner in This Toronto Home

Caroline Biggs
Updated

Luxury and practicality seem mutually exclusive when it comes to design, but those two things were precisely what a Toronto family was searching for when they purchased an 8,000-square-foot property on a quiet, tree-lined street in the city. With two small boys, the couple envisioned a home that could easily withstand the wear and tear of their always active clan. However, as frequent entertainers, the pair also wanted a space that could be a stylish setting for dinner parties and get-togethers. Enter local designer Anne Hepfer, who got her start working for Daniel Romualdez on Tory Burch's homes—and also happens to have four children of her own.

There's Wow Factor Around Every Corner in This Toronto Home

An asymmetrical brass mirror and transparent blue Lucite console make a modern statement against the entryway’s classic black-and-white marble floors. “Each room is very different, yet the spaces transition so beautifully from one to the next,” Hepfer says.
An asymmetrical brass mirror and transparent blue Lucite console make a modern statement against the entryway’s classic black-and-white marble floors. “Each room is very different, yet the spaces transition so beautifully from one to the next,” Hepfer says.
In the dining room, a black steel-and-brass Welles chandelier by Gabriel Scott contrasts boldly with the home’s traditional architecture. Kristian Schuller's Butterfly Catcher takes over the wall, which is covered in grasscloth.
A yellow ostrich leather desk pops against the custom gray mohair sofas (all by Anne Hepfer) in the family room.
A yellow ostrich leather desk pops against the custom gray mohair sofas (all by Anne Hepfer) in the family room.
To enhance the natural light streaming into the kitchen, Hepfer painted the dark wood cabinets crisp shades of white and gray. A massive slab of Statuario Venato marble surrounds the windows on the wall above the sink.
To enhance the natural light streaming into the kitchen, Hepfer painted the dark wood cabinets crisp shades of white and gray. A massive slab of Statuario Venato marble surrounds the windows on the wall above the sink.
In the living room, Hepfer opted for a matte gray palette to provide a clean backdrop for the eye-catching furnishings—check out the polished brass lamps and blue bubble resin coffee table.
In the living room, Hepfer opted for a matte gray palette to provide a clean backdrop for the eye-catching furnishings—check out the polished brass lamps and blue bubble resin coffee table.
Hepfer installed antique mirrors inside the ceiling coffers to bring depth and dimension to the neutral space, while the gray-and-white Greek key rug offers a touch of pattern. A Harding Meyer portrait hangs above the sofa.
Hepfer went with a geometric Ultrasuede headboard in the master bedroom. Overhead is a rock crystal chandelier by Christopher Boots.
Hepfer went with a geometric Ultrasuede headboard in the master bedroom. Overhead is a rock crystal chandelier by Christopher Boots.
In the sunroom, turquoise-and-white swivel chairs from Jonathan Adler draw from the tranquil hues of the outdoor swimming pool. Underfoot, a rubberized Bolon rug makes mopping up water a breeze.
The study is packed with luxe details, including a gray leather hand-stitched desk and a pair of suede-and-brass club chairs.
The study is packed with luxe details, including a gray leather hand-stitched desk and a pair of suede-and-brass club chairs.
Hepfer chose natural pieces for the backyard loggia, from the travertine tile floors to the simple white chairs by Jardin de Ville, to complement the gorgeous garden views.

Needless to say, Hepfer is well-versed in achieving that delicate balance of form and function, and she spotted a few roadblocks right away. “Although the traditional architecture of the house offered strong bones and a functional layout that is perfect for their growing family,” she says, “the interior looked dated and was in need of a serious upgrade.” The millwork was oppressively dark, the walls muted. A crisp gray-and-white palette brightened things up, and from there, Hepfer sprinkled in those requisite upscale touches: black-and-white stone floors in the foyer, a dramatic marble backsplash in the kitchen, and sculptural contemporary lighting throughout. “High-end fixtures and finishes are like the jewelry of the space,” she says.

When it came time to furnish the home, Hepfer worked with the couple to create custom pieces that were beautiful, yes, but also durable enough to weather the rough-and-tumble of children. The sleek set of dining chairs is actually upholstered in wipeable vinyl leather, as are the kitchen barstools and much of the outdoor terrace’s furniture. In the pool-facing sunroom, the ottoman is clad in an indoor-outdoor fabric that can withstand a juice spill or three. Even the family room boasts a rubberized rug that can easily be mopped. “Luxury is about the deliberate use of sophisticated materials,” Hepfer explains. “When combined, they should look subtle, refined, and sublime all at the same time.”