A two storey penthouse loft in an old historic building and neighbourhood of downtown Toronto.
Featuring the exposed brick work and timber beams of its original warehouse use, a 1200 square feet converted two storey loft, in a historic building, was updated by Rad Design Inc to reflect its new owners and improve the interior living environment. Natural light is limited within the space due to the lack of large windows and the owners had previously chosen dark paint colours and materials similar to that of the brick and timber for their walls and cabinetry, which created a monochromatic space that was too dark and unwelcoming. Rad Design decided to enliven the space by applying the brightest shade of white to the walls and replacing the existing kitchen with white millwork and stainless steel appliances and fixtures. The use of a bright white allows for more ambient light to travel and highlights the exposed brick and timber better as a feature element along with the ductwork and plumbing. The loft’s two bathrooms, which receive no natural light, were also treated with a bright coat of white and draw our focus to a few select elements such as the high-end walnut finish vanities and the clean lines of the contemporary bathtub and plumbing fixtures. Rad Design also added an industrial barn-style, wall hung, sliding door to the master bathroom as a solution to the previous swing door that took away too much space from the bathroom and to acknowledge the space as a loft with industrial beginnings. Complimentary colours are introduced within the styling of the apartment through pieces of furniture, throws and pillows, where nautical blues and stripes compliment a small collection of sailing antiques owned by the client. Cool greys were also introduced within the Caesarstone kitchen counter tops and metallic finish tile backsplash to counter the warmth of the brick and wood and to bring a little more sophistication with a touch of industrial finishes into the space.