This Toronto penthouse by Dvira Interiors transforms a three-story residence near St. Lawrence Market while preserving its original late-1980s architectural character. Existing curved walls and half-arched windows were retained and emphasized throughout the renovation, complemented by a palette of honey-stained white oak, travertine, green marble, and textured finishes. Wallpaper is used extensively across walls and ceilings, with burlap-inspired, cork, and botanical patterns introducing distinct material identities to individual rooms.
The renovation reorganizes the home's kitchen, dining, living, and lounge spaces around multiple balconies and terraces that increase daylight and strengthen connections to the outdoors. The third floor is finished almost entirely in terracotta limewash across its walls, ceilings, doors, and trim, creating a monochromatic family room. Existing plumbing, HVAC, and ventilation constraints informed several design decisions.
Image Credit: Lauren Miller
Why This Trend Is Growing
- Curved Heritage Modernism
- Preserved arches and curved walls highlight demand for renovations that modernize older luxury homes while turning original architectural quirks into premium design assets.
- Material-rich Interiors
- Layered surfaces such as travertine, cork, limewash, wallpaper, and stained oak create openings for tactile finishes that differentiate residential spaces beyond standard minimalist palettes.
- Indoor-outdoor Reconfiguration
- Penthouse layouts organized around balconies, terraces, and daylight reflect growing value in urban homes that blend private interiors with elevated outdoor living.
Industries Being Reshaped
- Interior Design
- High-end residential studios can distinguish projects through historically sensitive transformations that preserve character while introducing contemporary comfort and spatial flow.
- Building Materials
- Specialty suppliers are positioned around expressive wallcoverings, natural stone, limewash, and wood finishes that support customized, sensory-driven renovation aesthetics.
- Luxury Real Estate
- Premium properties with distinctive late-modern features and enhanced terrace connectivity gain new market relevance as buyers seek character-rich alternatives to generic new builds.
