House Tours
Fusing Art Deco inspiration with modern sophistication and saturated colours, designer Naomi Amram injects new life into a traditional home.
House Tours
Fusing Art Deco inspiration with modern sophistication and saturated colours, designer Naomi Amram injects new life into a traditional home.
“Despite being built in 2006, the house was dark, dated and lacked functionality for modern living,” she says. The owners, Habib and Cathy Malik, agreed. With a penchant for entertaining and with their two teenagers, Sara and Nadia, living at home, the couple wanted a space that was snazzy enough to host grownup get-togethers and cool enough for their girls to hang out with friends. “My job was to keep the traditional elements but infuse them with the owners’ personality and love of colour and pattern,” says Naomi.
DESIGN, Naomi Amram, Naomi Amram Design. HARDWOOD FLOORING, Planchers Lauzon. Visual Comfort’s Aerin Lauder PENDANT LIGHT and SCONCES; Arteriors VASE; Deca Lighting. TABLETOP, Ciot. Nuevo CHAIRS, Avenue Design. RUG, Red Carpet & Rug. DRAPERY, Store Urbain.
SITTING PRETTY
Homeowners Habib and Cathy Malik (below) in their new living room, which is a masterstroke of style. Custom-made flutedoak panels layer in warmth and are an ideal spot for sconces with an Art Deco flair, which is echoed in the curvy furniture. “I love how the cream bouclé sofa fabric and coordinating pillows add dimension without injecting any extra pattern or colour that might compete with the space,” says Naomi.
RAISE THE BAR
The custom-made bar cranks up the cool factor. Doors panelled in a sunburst pattern and dressed with half-moon brass handles continue the Art Deco feel, while the marble backsplash has brushed-brass confetti inserts that reference the other brass accents. The toe kick, clad in the same quartzite as the dining table, is lit for further ambience. Applying hand-painted wallpaper to the ceiling was a gutsy move. “Its pattern is evocative of Cubism, and the lines and colours are subtly echoed throughout the space,” says Naomi. “This wallpaper ties all of the room’s components together.”
Kelly Wearstler WALLPAPER (on ceiling), Kravet. Eichholtz SOFA, CUSHIONS, Avenue Design. Arteriors SCONCES; Noir Furniture LA brass X SCULPTURE; Deca Lighting. Beni Ourain RUG, Boho Lab. DAYBED (by window), CB2. Brass CEILING SPOTLIGHT, RH. Bar BACKSPLASH, Mosaïque Surface. Sarah Sherman Samuel brass HANDLES, Park Studio. Black TRAY, Black Rooster Decor. VASE (on coffee table), H&M Home.
The reboot included full renovations, as well as decorative rejuvenation. On the reno side, the kitchen and bathrooms were completely rebuilt, and hardwood flooring was installed throughout the house. In the rejuvenation department, new furnishings were carefully considered with that modern-meets-classic equation in mind. “The decor had to stand the test of time while being simultaneously fresh and far from cookie cutter,” says Naomi. She dodged the original dark and dated vibe by doubling down on an overall light palette that made the home feel open and airy. This refreshed backdrop is animated with not-shy patterns, touch-me textures and a few luxurious bespoke designs, including a showstopper bar in the living room. “I love the journey that Habib and Cathy were willing to take with me,” she says. “We took risks in the choice of materials, colours and textures, and it all turned out so lovely in the end.” The reboot included full renovations, as well as decorative rejuvenation. On the reno side, the kitchen and bathrooms were completely rebuilt, and hardwood flooring was installed throughout the house. In the rejuvenation department, new furnishings were carefully considered with that modern-meets-classic equation in mind. “The decor had to stand the test of time while being simultaneously fresh and far from cookie cutter,” says Naomi. She dodged the original dark and dated vibe by doubling down on an overall light palette that made the home feel open and airy. This refreshed backdrop is animated with not-shy patterns, touch-me textures and a few luxurious bespoke designs, including a showstopper bar in the living room. “I love the journey that Habib and Cathy were willing to take with me,” she says. “We took risks in the choice of materials, colours and textures, and it all turned out so lovely in the end.”
“There’s a sexy lounge feel here – it’s a place to sit with friends and have an aperitif before dinner.”
“The kitchen is brimming with luxurious materials but it’s not pretentious. Smoothies are made here and things get spilled.”
HIGH CONTRAST
Naomi chose the black graphite oven and range hood to “give the eye a place to rest,” she says, in the otherwise light and bright kitchen. The dark hue informed other accessories, including the lighting and the breakfast bar stools. Classic Shaker-style cabinets are a nod to the home’s traditional style, and painting the uppers white and lowers taupey grey creates a luxurious but subtle effect.
Visual Comfort’s Aerin Lauder PENDANT LIGHTS (over island), Union Lighting & Furnishings. APPLIANCES, Dacor. Brass FIXTURES, Newport Brass. COUNTERTOPS, porcelain waterfall ISLAND, Ciot. STOOLS, Elte. Banquette FABRIC, Crescendo Papiers Peints et Tissus. CHAIRS, Avenue Design.
METAL WINNER
One of the most eye-catching features in the kitchen are the custom open shelves that flank the oven. Crafted from whitewashed maple and held in place by simple brass rods, they feel upscale and organized. Brass accents continue throughout as a warm contrast to the white Caesarstone countertops and slab porcelain backsplash. Custom panelled doors with chic, octagonal centre pulls hide the pantry and a breakfast station.
LOUNGE AROUND
“The homeowners were looking to create different seating areas in the kitchen, where family and friends could congregate while they were cooking and hosting meals, and also places where the girls could study or just hang out,” says Naomi. The old kitchen had a banquette the family loved, so Naomi ran with that. “I designed a new curved banquette that offers ample seating around the table, while also incorporating a breakfast bar with stools.” She introduced colour with mint green distressedfaux- leather upholstery. “It’s a very soft shade that complements the soothing feel of the space.”
“Both parents and teenagers enjoy cooking and very much relish spending time here.”
TOUCH OF LUXURY
The primary bedroom signals sumptuousness with a mix of tactile luxuries. The walls are covered in iridescent nacre wallpaper and the bed is custom-designed in channel-tufted mushroom velvet. Textured bedding, watercolour cushions and a shimmering rug further the effect. “The swing-arm wall lights are in an antiqued silver finish, which – paired with the brass nightstands – complete an elegant and calming bedroom.”
Custom RUG, Tapis Lalonde. JF WALLPAPER, CUSHIONS, Crescendo Papiers Peints et Tissus. Matouk BEDDING, Toile Showroom. Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams NIGHTSTAND, Deca Lighting. Ralph Lauren WALL LIGHT, Union Lighting & Furnishings.
SET IN STONE
The primary ensuite’s showstopper vanity channels a European villa look with honed Arabescato Corchia marble and a plaster-finished arch above the mirror. It’s backlit for more ambience. The shower is framed in marble and clad in natural limestone tiles. “They provide beautiful visual interest, albeit a calming one,” says Naomi. A freestanding, matte-stone white tub is a simple counterpoint to the intricacies of the natural stone.
MARBLE, FLOOR TILES, Kallista SINKS, Ciot. Limestone SHOWER TILES, Stone Tile. Brass FIXTURES, Rubinet. Slik Stone TUB, Shinto TOWEL, Ramacieri Soligo. STOOL, Boho Lab. BATH CADDY, CB2. VASE, Pottery Barn.
“The owners’ bathroom is a luxurious retreat inspired by old-world materials and Italian villas.”
“Teenage sisters share this bathroom – it had to be pink and playful, but also cool with a modern feel.”
LUSH & BLUSH
“I chose these Italian-designed and fabricated tiles in a pastel blush colour with a modern matte finish,” says Naomi. “They have a striated, dimensional geometric pattern, which is displayed in a variety of directions to create intriguing visual interest.” The playful sconces have no backplates and were installed on top of the tiles for a seamless finish.
SPACE MANAGEMENT
“I designed the shower with a linear drain so the floor tile pattern would be unobstructed,” says Naomi. “This and the lack of a shower curb visually expand the space. The toilet is wall mounted for the same reason.” The designer was adamant the girls have a bathtub, and while there wasn’t room for a standard 60-inch tub, this perfect-fit, 54-inch beauty filled the bill.
ODE TO BAUHAUS
The custom-designed, bleached wood vanity imparts a natural warmth to the tiled space. Integrated capsule-shaped pulls on the drawers mimic the shape of the mirrors for cool continuity. Black faucets and accessories keep the look edgy and are in step with the black and cement-grey floor tiles inspired by Bauhaus design.
Pink Fioranese WALL TILES, Onyx SHOWER WALL TILES, Ciot. Futura FLOOR TILES, Céragrès. Menu Design MIRRORS, Danish Design Store. Artemide SCONCES, Union Lighting. Zitta TUB, black Baril HARDWARE, Mondial. STOOL, Deca Lighting.
Comments