5 min readThere’s beauty in working with a repeat client. Their actions and vision, what they like, what they expect out of a project—it’s no longer surprising, leading to a stronger design foundation from the start. It’s a perk designer Dvira Ovadia benefited from when it came time to design a 13,000-square-foot new build in Toronto for a beloved client, who asked the designer to bring her refined, elegant design language to the table alongside JTF Homes and Lorne Rose Architect.
Even before ground was broken, the Dvira Interiors founder had already done most of the sourcing needed to create a luxurious, old-world style interior. “I’m not just talking about construction materials and finishing and lighting—it was everything down to the furnishings, the rugs, the art, the reproduction period pieces, and furniture from the Louis XVI era,” Ovadia says.
With seven bedrooms and bathrooms, two powder rooms, two laundry rooms, and a chef’s kitchen with a butler’s pantry, a home of this magnitude required an inordinate amount of planning and orchestration; nothing could be lacking, and everything was inspected under a microscope. Trimwork was redone until it matched Ovadia’s standards; the custom 18-person dining table was replaced two months before install due to subpar craftsmanship; the kitchen ceiling was dropped to accommodate mechanical components, causing all the millwork in the space to be resized. “When you take on a project with this level of detail, the entire process carries a certain weight,” Ovadia explains. “From grout colors and tile layouts to the placement of cabinetry hardware, every decision is in our hands.”
That attention to specifics and level of care is clear in every aspect of the finished home, from the pale pink palette threaded throughout each room to the intricate molding on the ceilings and walls. Vintage-inspired hardware and marble fireplaces convey a timeworn patina, and Ovadia wrapped nearly every wall in either wallpaper, paneling, or tile so that each feels visually captivating.
“As you move through the home, every space has its own distinct identity, yet they all speak the same design language,” she adds. “It’s magical without being loud, refined without feeling restrained, and it stands as a true testament to beautifully executed interior design.”
FAST FACTS
Designer: Dvira Ovadia, Dvira Interiors
Builder: JTF Homes
Architect: Lorne Rose Architect
Location: Toronto, Canada
The Space: A seven-bedroom, seven-bathroom new build across 13,000 square feet
STUDY
Wood paneling gets an elegant upgrade with intricate trimwork.
Classical architectural details shine in this tailored workspace, which relies on custom built-ins to provide storage. Detailed millwork and a hand-carved Rosa Levanto marble fireplace add sculptural layers.
LIBRARY
A sculptural sofa anchors the space without stealing the show.
Designed to invite pause, the upstairs library is enveloped in white oak paneling and soft, neutral textiles. Built-in window seats are perfect for taking five.
LIVING ROOM
Floor-length curtains break up the monochromatic walls with texture.
The most neutral space in the house, this living room does not lack in exceptional design. With rich leather chairs and a duo of sofas, this room brings more of a modern touch than the rest of the home offers, while still tying in that traditional feeling with intricate ceiling moldings and a custom carved marble fireplace.
“The furniture is set upon a Tabriz Mahi design hand-knotted wool rug, adding character, classic charm, and a rich sense of heritage,” Ovadia adds.
KITCHEN
Curved details on the island add to that luxurious, old-world feel.
With a goal of creating a feminine and inviting space, Ovadia based her design around the blush marble countertop, covering the walls in rosy Pratt + Larson tiles and accenting the space with warm brass. Brass lattice inlays decorate the white oak cabinetry here and in the servery.
BUTLER’S PANTRY
Striped blush wallpaper gives this space its own personality.
A paneled Miele freezer stands opposite a wall of cabinetry holding canned goods and dry ingredients. Brass shelves tie into the main kitchen.
BREAKFAST NOOK
Subtle pink midcentury marble tables echo the kitchen palette.
Brass sconces from Hudson Valley Lighting cast a soft glow over this casual 12-seat dining spot. Wood panels and restaurant-style tables combine to create a tailored yet relaxed scene.
DINING ROOM
A Baccarat chandelier sparkles overhead.
Layers of custom molding, bespoke details, and an 18-person table meet in this periwinkle formal dining room.
OWNER’S SUITE
Fluted nightstands invite a contemporary touch.
Intricate plaster details decorate the soaring 18-foot ceiling, while custom trellis wallpaper from Farrow & Ball adds a quiet sophistication. A brass canopy bed by Baker lends a touch of modernity. Opposite the bed sits an antique dresser signed by Earl Spencer, Princess Diana’s brother.
DAUGHTER’S ROOM
A private and personalized retreat any little girl would dream of.
Wrapped in lavender grasscloth wallpaper by Phillip Jeffries, this bedroom exudes storybook elegance. Blush and ivory bedding and floral accents feel youthful, while a nearby lounge encourages independence at every age.
“A custom window seat framed by a soft Roman shade creates the perfect reading nook, while built-in shelving with books and playful decor adds personality and function,” Ovadia says of the daughter’s bedroom lounge.
BOUDOIR
Boutique-like displays hold the owner’s collection of handbags.
Floor-to-ceiling cabinetry lines the walls of this two-story dressing area. The marble-topped island, attached to a built-in banquette, makes getting dressed an event.
PRIMARY BATHROOM
Brass fixtures act as jewelry against the neutral palette.
The ornate aesthetic does not skimp in the primary bathroom, where intricate brass hardware and stunningly veined marble countertops immediately catch the eye. “The arched ceiling wrapped in delicate mosaic tile creates a dramatic architectural moment, beautifully contrasted by the blush toned silk wallpaper that adds depth and softness to the space,” the designer explains.
EXTERIOR
A stone façade lends old-world appeal to the new-build exterior.
Ovadia ties the poolside to the interior with pink scalloped cabana umbrellas, bringing out the slight blush tones from the exterior stone in the process. The rest of the house remains timeless, with contrasting yet muted blue window shutters and a charming turret to capture that storybook European-esque charm.
“Framed by lush landscaping and warm natural materials, the backyard was designed to feel transportive, like a private escape tucked into the countryside of the South of France,” Ovadia says. It’s inviting yet doesn’t lack in sophistication.
About the Designer
Though Dvira Ovadia’s eponymous design firm is based in Toronto, the experienced designer has a continental reach. Ovadia has been in the interior design business for over twenty years, starting her journey into this creative field with a degree in Architecture from the University of Toronto, as well as a Master of Science in Interior Architecture from Pratt Institute in New York. Her award-winning designs are sophisticated and timeless, bringing an undeniable elegance into each space.
