A Colorful Conversation Piece Kitchen Sets the Tone for This Modern Toronto Home

Transforming a freshly built, uninspired shell into a vibrant, inviting family residence requires a sharp eye and a confident vision. This 4,000-square-foot Toronto home began as a blank canvas typical of new construction—functional but lacking character. Designer Lisa Lev, collaborating with Studio Sonny, embraced the challenge of layering warmth, personality, and thoughtfully curated color into a space that previously had no historical cues or architectural quirks to lean on. Rather than tearing everything down, the team reimagined the layout, opened up walls, and incorporated custom millwork to craft an environment that feels both modern and welcoming, a true reflection of the family’s lifestyle.

Beige Tufted Shower Curtain

Tufted diamond pattern shower curtain with tassel trim, water-resistant.

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The Kitchen: A Bold Living Room for Culinary Life

The kitchen serves as the heartbeat of the home and sets the tone for the entire design. What started as a seemingly straightforward renovation—removing a small wall to enhance flow—uncovered a major structural post running through the house, requiring careful engineering and creative problem-solving. Beneath the surface, the basement floor was jackhammered and painstakingly restored with limestone tile that seamlessly matched the original, preserving the home’s integrity while opening it up to a freer, more dynamic layout.

Here, teal cabinetry anchors the space with rich, saturated color, while the kitchen island, clad in striking tile, offers a tactile contrast that catches the eye without overwhelming. The kitchen’s design balances modern minimalism with softer, rounded lines seen on the island, range hood, and banquette, creating a room that feels more like a living space than a traditional cooking area. “We designed the cabinetry with intention for a family who loves to cook, entertain, and gather,” Lev explains. The upper cabinets, painted in Benjamin Moore’s West Coast, provide a bold backdrop, while playful touches like the colorful, vining light fixture add personality and charm. Functionality was never compromised, but beauty was always at the forefront, making this kitchen a true conversation piece.

Family Room: Seamless Flow and Subtle Division

Connected to the kitchen, the family room echoes the vibrant color story and thoughtful craftsmanship with custom media cabinetry made from the same oak as the kitchen cabinets. This continuity unites the two spaces visually and functionally. A breezeblock partition cleverly divides the room without blocking natural light, filtering it softly and adding architectural interest. This brick screen also shields the sectional’s end from view, maintaining an open yet intimate atmosphere.

Wallpaper adds textural dimension behind a hidden television panel, while carefully selected furniture pieces enhance comfort and style. The palette here softens slightly from the kitchen’s strong teal, incorporating calming blues and earthy tones that invite relaxation without losing the home’s overall energetic vibe.

Faux Fur Medium Rug

Soft faux fur rug with dense fibers and structured pile.

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Living and Dining Areas: Chic, Comfortable, and Curated

Where the family room is casual and playful, the living room takes on a more refined, adult-only ambiance, transformed from its previous use as a children’s playroom. A custom channel-tufted sectional in a warm blush anchors the room, bringing texture and color in equal measure. The graphic fireplace wall clad in WOW Design tiles, along with a tiled bench cushion, injects a dose of visual intrigue and modern flair.

The dining room offers a more neutral counterpoint, allowing vintage pieces and art to shine. A graphic yet subtle wallpaper and Roman shades create a sophisticated backdrop for the client’s curated collection of art and vintage furniture. The pendant light above the dining table adds sculptural interest without overpowering the space, uniting classic and contemporary elements effortlessly.

Sherpa Ghost Pillow

Soft white sherpa pillow with plush texture and playful shape.

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Primary Suite and Bathrooms: Textured Layers and Warmth

The primary bedroom embraces a soothing palette with a sky-blue ceiling and grasscloth walls trimmed in oak, balancing openness with cozy sophistication. A custom headboard and plush seating area invite relaxation, while sculptural Noguchi-inspired lights overhead add an artful, ethereal quality. The room feels spacious without ever seeming empty, a perfect retreat within the home.

In the primary bathroom, warm terra-cotta tiles balance the cooler blues seen throughout the house, creating a Mediterranean-inspired sanctuary bathed in natural light. Three different tile patterns in soft orange tones layer together to evoke a calm, sunlit atmosphere that feels both fresh and timeless.

The girls’ bathroom showcases a joyful mix of seven different tile finishes, weaving together the home’s signature oranges and blues with creative flair. Tiles extend beyond the usual boundaries, covering the tub’s exterior and shower walls, turning this playful space into a miniature gallery of color and texture designed specifically for the family’s youngest members.