House Tour: Danielle & Mark’s Cozy West End Loft

Tours

Apartment

Name:Danielle Suppa& Mark James
Location:Toronto; Ontario, Canada
Size:1,200 square feet
Years lived in:3 years; Owned

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This loft is home toDanielleand Mark, a creative and sporty duo, and is located in Toronto’s emerging West End. The building was originally the manufacturing portion of an early 19th century train factory and was converted into a residential space in 2008. They moved in a few years ago and have slowly been filling the space with a mix of vintage, thrifted, and modern decor with the intention of creating a well-curated and personalized space.

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One of Danielle and Mark’s investment pieces is the light fixture by Montreal-based designers Lamberts et Fils that hangs above the dining room table. (Image credit:Lauren Kolyn)

(Image credit:Lauren Kolyn)

Danielle’s background in fashion and design is seen in the decorative details of the space while Mark’s laid-back personality is felt in its functionality. Mark describes their home as “open, airy, and warm” and they both love how the high ceilings and exposed brick make the main living space feel infinite. As a freelance designer, Danielle is attuned to detail and draws her inspiration from a range of sources.

Taking a slower and more intentional approach to decorating has allowed the couple to live in and get to know their space before adding new elements. Little by little, this has made settling in more of a constant process rather than a one-time event. Another bonus that Danielle and Mark have found through this process is that it has allowed them to keep the passion for their home alive and fresh as they are continually on the hunt for their next find!

(Image credit:Lauren Kolyn)

Apartment Therapy Survey:

My/Our Style:Modern, calm, airy, personal, and meaningful

Inspiration:Mid-century modern, vintage Californian design (especially Palm Springs) mixed with splashes of Scandinavian and European influences. Endless amounts of inspiration from the treasure hunting at our favorite antiques market or vintage stores and our ever-growing collection of personal touches and treasures from our travels and our families. Restaurant/cafes, retail and hotel design from various spots around the world are also an incredibly rich source (current favorites include Olsen in Buenos Aires, Goodhood in London and Hotel Americano + the Rachel Comey flagship shop in New York City). I also love looking at home/lifestyle magazines such asApartamento,Designlines,Elle Décor,Dwell, etc.

Favorite Element:The openness of the main area that allows us to have great gatherings and the room for a dance floor! The high ceilings and large windows that let in so much light bring a sense of immediate calm and comfort.

Biggest Challenge:Painting those 20-foot ceilings! (We ended up just hiring a professional). Also — accessing windows to let in fresh air, and finding luscious/tropical looking plants that will survive in very little direct light. Finding art for the main area has been a challenge since anything that is under about five feet looks instantly miniature.

What Friends Say:“My, what high ceilings you have!” And the original brick wall and lovely windows always have great impact and are quite the crowd-pleasers. Our guests also often comment on the comfy couch and that our rug feels good underneath their feet. Design is important, yes, but you must have at least one comfortable living area in your home.

Biggest Embarrassment:We still have yet to recover both of the vintage chairs in our living room! Eventually they will be in some sort of textured white-ish fabric and perhaps a pop of acidic yellow boucle to keep with the mid-century feel. For now, they’ve somehow still managed to work in their original state.

Proudest DIY:Definitely our dining room table. I bought the whole set from this adorable couple at Aberfoyle (my favorite antiquing spot/way to spend a Sunday) for a steal of a deal. It’s a Canadian-made mid-century set from a company that sadly no longer exists. One afternoon of reupholstering and they’re completely current-looking and as good as new. I love their svelte little legs. The runner up is the bar I found on the side of the road — that one still needs some TLC though.

Biggest Indulgence:Our couch and our dining room light fixture. 100% worth it on both accounts.

最好的建议是:Live in a space for a while before you start decorating/changing anything to see what you really need and how you really live. Build up your collections and furniture slowly and thoughtfully over time. Invest in some quality pieces, especially a good couch. Design is in the details — it’s the little things that people often notice in a home. Buy only things you love and don’t worry about if they “go” — they will all come together because you picked them.

Dream Sources:Design within Reach, HAY, Ferm Living, Menu +& Tradition, Lambert & Fils (I hope to own a few more of their light fixtures down the road), BROOK&LYN, Ladies & Gentleman Studio, The Conran Shop, and for art, my dream collection would definitely include pieces by Amelie Mancini, George Byrne, Esther Stewart.

Resources

(Image credit:Lauren Kolyn)

PAINT & COLORS

Entire loft: Benjamin Moore Cloud White

(Image credit:Lauren Kolyn)

ENTRY

Choreographyletterpress print:Good Egg(Toronto)
Frame: Ikea

(Image credit:Lauren Kolyn)

LIVING ROOM

Couch:Shelter(Toronto)
Chairs: vintage, purchased atAberfoyle Antiques Market(just outside Toronto) and on Craigslist
Coffee table: Ikea
Rug: West Elm
Geometric pillows: Alyson Fox for West Elm
编织枕头:Cambie(Toronto)
Side table: Ikea
Lamp: vintage, purchased atJunction Flea(Toronto)
Foldable gold star: Design Within Reach
Neon pink robot: Cubebot by Areaware