Luxury living has arrived in Toronto’s Forest hill neighbourhood in the form of The Avenue (learn more at theavenue.ca). This brand new condo is presented by Comrost Felcorp and sotheby’s international realty, with its striking aesthetics by architect sal wassermuhl of page + Architects Ltd. And design guru Brian Gluckstein.
This stunning model suite by and architect Dee Dee Hannah boasts nickel reveals, lacquered surface and burled wood accents for an alluring sophistication that you just can’t say “no” to
A limited number of suites remains up for grabs, and with a price tag ranging from $1 to $5 million, “luxury” is definitely the operative word here
Home and decor : How would you describe the style in this suite?
Dee Dee Hannah : The style for the condo has evolved from the Avenue itself. Studying the architecture, it has a resemblance to the historical “deco” style. We developed specific furniture pieces with that subtle deco influence but reinterpreted that in more modern materials, such as lacquer and nickel. The result is our new Avenue Collection.
H&D: What was your inspiration
DDH: Inspiration came from the fashion house. Every season new fabric and colours appear on the runway. For the master (Bedroom) I fell in love with a linen fabric by manuel canovas called ming that has ginger jars in a colouration of soft vanila and delicate blue grey. I designed the bedroom around the fabulous print and built on the palette with beautiful greys, creamy whites, black with the occasional splash of colour throughout the suite. We used a lot of Giorgetti’s elegant modern furniture. Such as the Yfi sofa, that has that sophisticated mod Italian luxe feeling its very “Milan fashion week!” The drapery has couture fashion details in its execution: grosgrain ribbon with leading edge contrast fabric. Textured wall coverings placed within applied panel moulding creates tailored luxury and glamour like the crispness of a Tom Ford suit.
H&D : Who did you design this suite for, who did you envision living here?
DDH : I always design as if I was the client. The suite is gender neutral with such palette that anyone could live with. A sophisticated urban couple that loves art and the finer aspects of life white embracing splashes of fashion and colour.
H&D : What is your favourite feature?
DDH : Hard to pick. The floor pattern definitely has made this suite seem larger. The floor has a border with a 1.5 in inlay and a large field in the middle. This pattern is repeated in each space: the foyer, thev anti-room, it gives each space a special making and establishes a rhythm in the suite.
H&D : As a designer and an architect, how does one field affect the other?
DDH : Being an interior designer and an architect is a direct complement to each other. It gives a combined understanding of structure, mechanical systems and aesthetics that results in a fine balance. Disguising the necessary sprinkler heads in the living and dining room with a drapery bulkhead is a perfect example of how to solve systems with aesthetics. It gives the client a full range of services.
H&D : With the trend of shabby chic come and gone, do you think “luxury” is making a come back?
DDH : I don’t think luxury ever went away. Luxury has just been redefined to suit each person’s needs. Everyone wants to feel special and pampered. To feel special is different to everyone. Luxury has become individual. This suite is luxurious in materiality and the detail of design.
H&D : Is there a way to achieve a high – end look without the price tag?
DDH : There are always ways to incorporate the high low concept. The problem is that once you have seen and felt an amazing luxurious fabric, it is hard to substitute for a lesser replacement. In fact sometimes you spend so much time looking for a substitute, it costs more money in the end.
H&D : What is your design philosophy?
DDH : My philosophy is timeless: style redefined (Ed’s note: this also happens to be the title of Dee Dee’s book, currently in the works. I look to history to study a style’s precedents and reinterpret it in today’s materials. The result is a timeless look that marries the past with the present.
