Yonge Residence
Yonge Residence
Project Year: 2025
Published in: Canadian Interiors, October 2025, read the story here.
Original Artwork: “Into the Fray” by Sheila Davis; “Beyond the Grid” by Lori Mirabelli; Shane Norrie.
Photography: Mike Chajecki
PROJECT OVERVIEW
The Yonge Residence is a sensitive and striking transformation of a 120-year-old English Tudor Revival mansion.
Under the creative direction of Ksenia Berkovich, principal designer of Fancy Interiors Studio, this historic home was reimagined as a refined, masculine bachelor’s residence — honoring its traditional craftsmanship while introducing a distinctly contemporary perspective.
Architectural hallmarks — steeply pitched gables, grand chimneys, and tall, mullioned windows — remain intact, serving as a canvas for a curated palette of sculptural furnishings, quiet textures, and European influences seen through a modern lens. The overall mood is one of restrained elegance — a “sensual contemporary” ethos marked by neoclassical balance and minimalist rigor.
The result is a home that feels timeless yet forward-thinking, rooted yet light. Earth-toned, tonal, and architectural — this is quiet luxury at its most confident.
ENTRANCE FOYER
At the heart of the entryway is a sculptural, branch-like chandelier with delicate crystal drops — a modern heirloom suspended above a minimalist marble pedestal table. A gilded, antique-style floor mirror introduces a baroque flair, framed by classical panel moldings that bring symmetry and gentle grandeur.
The silk rug beneath — custom-bound and subtly distressed — grounds the airy palette while softening the overall formality. The space sets the tone for the residence: transitional European design with restraint, poetry, and structure.
BEFORE AND AFTER
FORMAL LIVING ROOM
Once dim and enclosed, this living space has been transformed into a sculptural, light-filled salon. A performance fabric sofa in soft ivory anchors the room, surrounded by plush, rounded furnishings and a geometric chandelier of alabaster and brass. Asymmetrical mirrors and artful sconces add tension and drama, lending the room a gallery-like ambience.
The palette — warm creams, taupes, and caramels — balances softness and structure, echoing vintage silhouettes through a modern lens. The mood is curated yet unpretentious, classic yet quietly daring.
Transformation Story
Originally, this formal living room was defined by bright navy walls, heavy white moldings, and minimal lighting, creating a space that felt dark, narrow, and outdated. Antique fixtures only reinforced the old-fashioned character, and the room’s elongated proportions posed an additional design challenge.
Our goal was to transform this room into a sophisticated, well-lit, and artistically curated space—one that feels elevated and luxurious while honoring the home’s historic character.
By the client’s request, we preserved the original moldings and the finely crafted fireplace mantel. To unify these elements and visually heighten the ceilings, we painted the walls and crown moldings in a harmonious tone, softening contrasts and flooding the room with light. Additional lighting was introduced to brighten the space and create balance.
For the furnishings, we opted for silhouettes that feel sculptural yet airy. The main sofa is upholstered in a performance fabric for durability, yet its light aesthetic minimizes visual weight. Opposite it, a large symmetrical mirror reflects natural light, enhancing the sense of openness and modernity. The layout was thoughtfully planned to allow easy flow into the adjacent room while accommodating formal gatherings.
By the window, we placed a sleek bench that doubles as a cozy reading nook for the client’s teenage daughter. Original artworks and carefully chosen accents complete the room, creating a collected, gallery-like feel that blends timeless elegance with a contemporary edge.
BEFORE AND AFTER
SUNROOM
Designed as an immersive retreat, the sunroom dissolves the boundary between interior and exterior. Three handcrafted brass chandeliers from Morocco hover above in a staggered, sculptural cluster — their organic lines mirroring the garden beyond.
Bouclé seating in curved forms meets stone-inspired pebble tables, cultivating a space that is tactile, tranquil, and elemental. Behind, a wall of lush greenery serves as both backdrop and focal point, reinforcing the room’s connection to nature.
The Sunroom Transformation Story
Once an underutilized architectural gem, this sunroom held incredible potential but lacked purpose. Our vision was to transform it into an inviting indoor-outdoor retreat—a serene space where the client could relax and feel connected to the beauty of his garden.
To achieve this, we started with a soft sage on the walls, evoking a sense of calm and harmony with nature. We introduced furnishings in light, neutral tones, featuring curved silhouettes for softness and balance. Upholstered in high-performance boucle, these pieces feel tactile and grounded while offering durability for everyday living.
The focal point is a striking composition of handmade Moroccan brass pendants. Arranged to mimic the presence of a chandelier, their organic, leaf-like shapes capture and reflect sunlight throughout the day, creating a dynamic play of light and shadow. Pebble-shaped coffee tables with a stone-inspired texture anchor the seating area, bringing an earthy, sculptural element indoors. Layered greenery surrounds the arrangement, enhancing the connection to nature and infusing the space with life and freshness.
Positioned at the end of the home’s left wing, the sunroom also serves a deliberate design purpose: it creates a strong visual draw that sparks curiosity and invites guests to explore further. This sense of discovery makes the journey through the home feel both effortless and striking—culminating in a space that celebrates light, nature, and tranquility.
The result is a sanctuary of serenity—highly durable, easy to maintain, and perfect for intimate gatherings or quiet moments of reflection.
BEFORE AND AFTER
DINING ROOM
The dining and breakfast areas are anchored by sculptural tables and flanked with tailored, refined silhouettes. A custom art glass chandelier — inspired by lush botanical forms and crafted from recycled materials — hovers above, infusing the space with movement and intentionality.
A reclaimed wood-inspired dining table, Parisian café-style breakfast nook, and a circular moss installation complete the design, creating a bright, nature-infused space that blends craftsmanship with modern elegance.
Transformation Story
The original dining room told a very different story: bold red walls, aging moldings, and contrasting vents created a dark, heavy atmosphere. Combined with traditional furniture, the space felt almost like an old castle hall—far from the airy, welcoming environment our clients envisioned for family gatherings and entertaining.
Our goal was to completely transform this room into a light-filled, inviting space while preserving the home’s historical integrity. To achieve this, we kept the original built-in corner cabinets—beautiful examples of fine craftsmanship—and paired them with modern design elements for balance.
We wrapped the walls in a high-end woven wallpaper, its delicate stitching-like texture and leaf-inspired pattern evoking the charm of a hidden garden. Over the dining table, a custom brass-and-glass chandelier, designed to resemble branches and foliage, brings a sculptural yet natural focal point that enhances the organic theme.
The dining table itself, crafted to mimic the look of reclaimed wood, reinforces the sense of nature while maintaining a sophisticated, high-end silhouette. At the far end of the room, a small nook presented an opportunity for both function and design: we painted the walls and vents in a rich brown tone, cleverly disguising their presence and creating a Parisian café-inspired corner—ideal for breakfast or extra seating during gatherings.
Finally, the architectural arch in the room was accented with a circular moss installation, adding another layer of texture and bringing the garden motif full circle. The result is a dining room that feels bright, warm, and immersive—a space where nature, craftsmanship, and elegance meet to create an unforgettable dining experience.
BEFORE AND AFTER
FAMILY ROOM
This everyday space evokes warmth, ease, and continuity. At its center is the iconic cloud couch — large, plush, and sheathed in performance fabric — inviting moments of pause without sacrificing sophistication.
Walls, trim, and built-ins are unified via a tone-on-tone color-drenching technique, creating a cohesive and serene envelope. A crystal chandelier lends contrast and elegance above, while a classic fireplace and layered artwork add intimacy and presence.
The Family Room Transformation Story
Originally under-decorated and lacking warmth, the family room needed to become a relaxing yet sophisticated hub for everyday living—a space that combines comfort, function, and a collected aesthetic. One key challenge was the original built-in on the right wall, a beautiful example of fine craftsmanship that the client wished to preserve in its natural finish.
To harmonize the built-in with the rest of the room and prevent it from feeling visually dominant, we employed a technique known as color drenching. By painting the walls, ceiling, moldings, baseboards, and window casings in the same rich tone as the cabinetry, we achieved a seamless, enveloping effect. The result is an incredibly soothing atmosphere where every element feels intentional and cohesive.
Given the room’s elongated shape, we carefully curated the seating layout for both comfort and flow. A cloud-inspired extra-wide sofa anchors one side of the room, offering an inviting spot for lounging. Opposite, a sculptural statement chair—handpicked by the client—adds personality, while two bouclé-upholstered armchairs complete the arrangement, balancing elegance with softness. At the center, a generous coffee table doubles as a functional serving surface and a visual anchor for the space.
To maintain the home’s airy character and celebrate the natural beauty outside, we avoided heavy drapery. Instead, we used tailored lines that allow natural light to filter through, framing serene views of the surrounding trees. The result is a family room that feels warm, layered, and effortlessly sophisticated—perfect for both quiet evenings and lively gatherings.
BEFORE AND AFTER
PRIMARY BEDROOM SUITE
This principal suite balances softness with boldness. Original hardwood floors were restored, dated millwork removed, and the space opened to emphasize light and air. Vaulted ceilings frame sculptural lighting, while brushed brass chandeliers and textural accents amplify the masculine mood.
A curved European settee and modern classics frame the fireplace — which remains as a nod to the home’s heritage. This room exemplifies the project’s goal: a private retreat, layered with strength and sensuality.
The Master Bedroom Transformation Story
The original master bedroom felt far from the serene retreat it could be. Bright yellow walls, dated built-ins, and wall-to-wall carpeting made the space feel cluttered and uninspiring. Our goal was to reimagine it as a modern, sophisticated, and highly functional sanctuary.
We began by removing the built-ins to open up the room and create a sense of architectural simplicity. During the renovation, we uncovered original parquet flooring beneath the carpet—a hidden treasure that we carefully restored and completed with matching sections to honor the home’s history.
For the palette, we opted for a soft blend of warm whites, beige, and natural browns to evoke calm and understated luxury. The furniture features graceful, curved silhouettes that echo the gentle lines of the original fireplace mantel, reinforcing a sense of harmony.
A statement chandelier introduces architectural elegance overhead, while a natural stone coffee table adds an earthy, tactile layer that grounds the design. The result is a master bedroom that feels open yet intimate, refined yet inviting—a perfect balance for rest and quiet moments of indulgence.
BEFORE AND AFTER
