Oldham Residence
Oldham Residence
Project Year: 2026
Published in: Marie Claire Maison Arabia, September 2026, read the story here.
Original Artwork: Oil on canvas by Tatiana Fedankova.
Photography: Mike Chajecki
We couldn't be happier with our design and decorating renovation experience! From the very first consultation with Ksenia to the final reveal, every detail was handled with exceptional creativity, professionalism, and care.
The transformation of our home exceeded every expectation. The design perfectly captured our style while introducing beautiful ideas and finishes we never would have imagined ourselves. Every room feels thoughtfully curated, functional, elegant, and welcoming.
Ksenia’s and her team’s attention to detail was remarkable. They listened carefully to our vision, communicated clearly throughout the project, and delivered outstanding craftsmanship at every stage. Their ability to blend colors, textures, furnishings, and décor created a cohesive look that completely elevated our space.
— Zelia P.
Homeowner
PROJECT OVERVIEW
In Toronto’s Etobicoke neighbourhood, a 4,500-square-foot family home has entered a new chapter.
Built through a series of additions over many years, the house had evolved alongside the family who lived there. Rather than leave the neighbourhood and the memories attached to the property, the owners chose to stay and undertake an extensive transformation—one that would bring the home’s disparate architectural layers together while preparing it for the next generation.
Completed in 2026, Oldham Residence was redesigned by Ksenia Berkovich, principal designer of Fancy Interiors Studio, with an emphasis on visual continuity, precision and highly individualized craftsmanship.
The timing of the renovation carries particular meaning. The couple’s children are now grown, and the family recently welcomed its first granddaughter. Instead of designing around a temporary stage of life, the residence was reconsidered as a long-term family home—one capable of evolving again as the family itself changes.
For Berkovich, the challenge was to make a 4,500-square-foot house built in stages feel like a single, coherent composition.
Sightlines were refined, transitions simplified and surfaces aligned, while curves and softened corners temper the home’s strong architectural geometry. A tactile palette of natural marble, onyx, wood veneer, microcement, fluted glass, antique mirror, grasscloth murals, wallpaper and porcelain gives each space its own identity while maintaining a consistent language.
Stone plays a defining role throughout, from integrated sinks and continuous surfaces to the kitchen’s concealed sink and fully integrated cabinetry and appliances, allowing the room to read more like architecture than a conventional working kitchen. Lighting is similarly embedded into the millwork and built form.
Custom furniture, bespoke millwork and commissioned artwork add individuality, while the lower level reveals a more personal contrast: a dark, atmospheric cigar room and an expansive walk-in wardrobe created entirely for her.
The project is also distinctly local, bringing together Toronto-based builders, millworkers, artists and specialist trades.
Rather than erasing the home’s history, the renovation gives its accumulated layers a common language. With a new granddaughter now part of the family, Oldham Residence enters its next chapter as a home intended to be lived in, changed and remembered.
ENTRANCE FOYER
The entrance was completely reworked to create a clean, seamless arrival with a stronger sense of space. A previously angular corner leading toward the staircase was reshaped into a soft curve, while the original stair post was removed and replaced with full glass railings for a lighter, more open look.
The walls were finished in microcement and paired with custom natural wood veneer paneling that continues across the garage door, allowing it to disappear into the wall as a concealed entrance. An oversized custom round mirror with integrated backlighting creates a focal point, complemented by sculptural ceramic wall sconces, a natural travertine bench, and a dark brown marble side table.
The existing closet was also fully upgraded with new finishes, custom natural marble handles, and integrated LED lighting, bringing the same level of detail and craftsmanship into every part of the space.
BEFORE AND AFTER
KITCHEN
The kitchen was completely redesigned around a larger island, creating more preparation space, storage, and a stronger central gathering point. A concealed sink keeps the island visually clean, while fully integrated appliances maintain the seamless cabinetry throughout.
Inside, the millwork incorporates thoughtful storage and the latest functional solutions, including custom pull-outs, integrated paper towel storage, and a dedicated coffee station behind ribbed glass doors with direct water access for the coffee machine. On the opposite side, a custom bar with bi-folding doors and two fully integrated wine fridges adds generous storage and creates an effortless entertaining zone.
The result is a highly functional kitchen designed equally for everyday cooking, family gatherings, and hosting.
BEFORE AND AFTER
LIVING ROOM
The living room underwent a significant architectural transformation, including raising the ceiling by approximately one foot after discovering additional height could be gained within the existing structure. This immediately gave the room a more generous and elegant proportion.
The fireplace was completely redesigned with a custom natural marble mantel, framed by softly curved millwork paneling. Above the fireplace, a mural wallpaper by Phillip Williams creates a distinctive artistic focal point. Opposite, full-height cabinetry in natural dark walnut veneer provides extensive concealed storage while creating a rich visual backdrop; every section was designed to open and function as usable storage.
Curved sofas soften the strong architectural lines, while a one-of-a-kind onyx coffee table was custom designed by Ksenia Berkovich and fabricated from her drawings specifically for this project. A custom oversized oil-on-canvas artwork by Tatiana Fedonkova completes the composition. Designed as a more formal living space, the room creates a memorable first impression for welcoming guests, entertaining, or enjoying an afternoon tea.
BEFORE AND AFTER
DINING ROOM
The dining area was opened up by removing an existing ceiling bulkhead, creating a cleaner transition from the kitchen and a greater sense of height and openness. As part of the kitchen expansion, a portion of the dining zone was incorporated into the new coffee station, allowing the two spaces to function more seamlessly together.
A substantial solid wood dining table comfortably seats twelve guests, making the space ideal for larger family dinners and entertaining. The overall atmosphere is light, clean, and uplifting, with a simple material palette that lets the craftsmanship and proportions of the space stand out.
BEFORE AND AFTER
POWDER ROOM
The powder room was enlarged by shifting one of the walls into the adjacent closet, creating a more comfortable and better-proportioned space. Two walls and the ceiling were wrapped in custom millwork, giving the room a more architectural, tailored feel.
Instead of a traditional ceiling fixture, integrated LED lighting was built directly into the ceiling for a clean, uninterrupted look. The focal point is a custom floating vanity crafted from natural onyx, with concealed backlighting that illuminates the stone from within and turns the vanity into a sculptural feature.
FAMILY ROOM
The family room was reworked to feel more open, comfortable, and visually connected to the rest of the main floor. An existing step into the space was eliminated by lowering and rebuilding the floor assembly, creating a seamless transition between rooms.
The original corner fireplace was replaced with a three-sided fireplace and incorporated into a large custom media wall featuring fluted paneling, a microcement TV surround, and generous concealed storage. Ceiling details were also refined, including the redesign of an existing beam, helping the room feel cleaner and more intentional.
A favorite painting from the client’s collection became part of the room’s design story. Its rich green tones were echoed in custom pillows made to match the artwork, tying the palette together in a subtle and personal way. A light-toned sofa upholstered in comfortable, stain-resistant fabric keeps the space practical for everyday family life while maintaining the soft, refined aesthetic.
BEFORE AND AFTER
PRIMARY BEDROOM
The primary bedroom was redesigned to solve a major lack of storage while maintaining a calm, light, and seamless atmosphere. Custom millwork was integrated throughout the room, including a full headboard wall with built-in reading lights, nightstands, and tall storage cabinets, all finished in a soft tonal palette.
The walls were wrapped in grasscloth wallpaper, with the ceiling paint custom matched to create a cohesive, enveloping effect. Handmade ceramic pendants from Bocca were suspended above the nightstands, adding a sculptural, artisanal touch and bringing warmth and individuality to the space.
The adjoining walk-in closet was also fully upgraded with integrated LED lighting, custom mirrors, dedicated belt storage, trouser pull-outs, and tailored organization throughout. The result is a highly functional yet refined retreat, where extensive storage is discreetly incorporated into the architecture of the room.
BEFORE AND AFTER
PRIMARY BATHROOM
The primary bathroom was designed as a calm, cohesive retreat, with the walls fully clad in Calacatta Gold porcelain tile. Using one continuous material throughout creates a soft, elegant pattern while keeping the space visually clean and easy to maintain.
The curbless walk-in shower features two ceiling-mounted shower heads, a built-in bench, and an LED-lit niche. The custom wall-mounted vanity, finished in natural wood veneer, is paired with a substantial six-inch-thick countertop and integrated sinks made from the same porcelain material. Its subtle shaker-inspired detailing creates a visual connection to the kitchen cabinetry, while warm brass accents add richness without overpowering the space.
A freestanding Barcelona bathtub, custom window treatments, and a towel warmer complete the room, bringing together comfort, function, and a refined sense of continuity with the rest of the home.
BEFORE AND AFTER
WALK-IN CLOSET
The unfinished basement offered valuable unused space and the opportunity to create the generous walk-in closet the family needed. The new layout was designed around a central island and a series of custom storage solutions, including full-height cabinetry, a full-length mirror, and glass-fronted cabinets for displaying and protecting the clients’ most treasured pieces.
Natural Taj Mahal stone was used for the countertops, while a custom oval rug was made specifically for the room, with a precise cutout around the island. Integrated LED lighting throughout the millwork adds both function and a polished finish.
Every storage detail and dimension was carefully developed together with the client to reflect their wardrobe and everyday needs, resulting in a highly personalized dressing space that feels elegant, organized, and thoughtfully considered.
BEFORE AND AFTER
SIGAR ROOM
On the opposite side of the basement, we created a darker, moodier retreat designed as a sophisticated cigar room and entertaining space. Set behind glass doors, the room features custom storage with dedicated pull-outs for liquor, display shelving for favorite bottles, antique mirror backing, and handmade brass rails that add a refined, collected feel.
A central island with a waterfall-edge Taj Mahal stone countertop anchors the space, while the deep brown palette gives the room its relaxed, masculine atmosphere. A grasscloth mural by Jeffrey Phillips adds texture and character, and the niche originally planned around the fireplace was repurposed to showcase a landscape artwork, bringing another layer of personality to the room.
Designed for both entertaining and unwinding, the finished space feels intimate, polished, and tailored to the client’s lifestyle.
SECOND BEDROOM
The second bedroom was carefully reconfigured to accommodate the newly expanded ensuite, including a new private bathroom entrance. To compensate for the storage lost during the renovation, custom millwork was designed around the bed, with tall cabinets on both sides, integrated nightstands, concealed lighting, and dedicated reading sconces.
Every dimension was planned precisely around the selected bed, ensuring the cabinetry and lighting placement felt balanced and intentional. A writing desk adds another functional layer, while a wall mirror with paired sconces provides soft, flattering light.
Designed for the clients’ daughter, the room combines a gentle, elegant color palette with thoughtful storage and custom detailing, creating a space that feels cozy, refined, and highly functional.
BEFORE AND AFTER
OFFICE
The office was enlarged by shifting the right-hand wall and removing unnecessary bulkheads, creating a more open and functional workspace. Custom millwork now wraps the desk area and the wall around the window, while a built-in bookcase on the opposite side cleverly conceals an existing structural column that could not be relocated.
The new cabinetry provides generous storage while keeping the room visually clean and seamless, and the layout makes the most of the natural light for everyday work. A favorite painting from Colombia, gifted to the client by a friend, adds a personal layer of color and character and completes the room with a meaningful focal point.
A large existing second-floor bathroom was reconfigured into two separate bathrooms, creating one ensuite for the second bedroom and another serving the office area. This allowed the floor plan to function more efficiently while giving each space its own private bathroom.
Both bathrooms feature microcement shower surrounds with recessed niches and integrated LED lighting, along with generous built-in storage. Custom natural wood veneer vanities were designed with fluted detailing on the upper drawers, adding texture while maintaining the clean, elegant aesthetic carried throughout the home.
In the larger bathroom, a natural marble mosaic feature wall and alabaster sconces introduce another layer of warmth and materiality, creating a finished look that feels textured, refined, and cohesive.
BEFORE AND AFTER
MORE ROOMS AND DETAILS
The project extends beyond the spaces featured here. We also designed additional bedrooms, including the son’s bedroom and a guest room, along with many smaller custom details, hidden storage solutions, and thoughtful design moments throughout the home.
To keep this project page easy to explore, we have only shared a selection of the full transformation. For more behind-the-scenes details, clever solutions, and some of the hidden features incorporated throughout the house, follow us on Instagram, where I personally share more of the design process and the details behind each space.
If you are planning your own renovation or new interior, I would be happy to help bring your vision to life with a home that feels beautiful, functional, and truly personal to you.
