Pump up the volume

Nov. 25, 2006. 01:00 AM
ALEX NEWMAN
SPECIAL TO THE STAR

The upside to land scarcity in the naked jungle is that we're making do with less space, but thanks to good design, that's been turned into abundance.

The Townhomes of Plymouth project — 13 custom townhomes on a half-acre site near Dundas and Bellwoods — is a case in point. The site's two model homes, designed by Elisa Giannone, offer a glimpse of the wonderful interior spaces with high ceilings and big windows that maximize light and views.

Like old Paris apartments, the models have 12-foot living room ceilings that go a long way to increasing volume and creating a sense of space, Giannone says. To highlight this, she hung simple drapery panels very close to the ceiling, letting them fall in folds beside the large windows.

Chandeliers suspended like jewels into the middle of the living rooms from these super-sized ceilings become conversation pieces. They also become valuable as illumination, Giannone points out, since pot lights installed that high would only disperse light. Two different lifestyle scenarios unfold in the models as well — one for a young family and the other geared to professionals, single or coupled, who like to entertain.

In the first model, Giannone, herself a mother of three, wanted to show that this is a "great place to raise children, with enough space for a playroom and kids' art place in the basement. I wanted to keep it young and fresh with furniture and colours geared to a family — neutral base with splashes of red." Click here for a virtual tour.

Aspiring to a classic contemporary look, Giannone selected a sleek cream sofa and side chair grouped around the living room fireplace, while a glass desk and chenille occasional chair accommodates a comfortable computer station, accessible to parental supervision.

The kitchen, low-key with dark maple cabinets, pale speckled granite counters and stainless appliances, is adjacent to the dining area. A wool area carpet defines the dining area: round glass table with four contemporary dark wood chairs and a buffet with articulated lines that accommodates extra storage needs without intruding into the space.

The other model is geared to a young single or couple with entertainment on their mind. A baby grand piano graces one corner of the large living room, with its cream sofa, chairs and walls. Click here for a virtual tour.

Adding punch to the neutral scheme are caramel hits in a wool area carpet, spicy silk drapes and an upholstered Victorian side chair beside a limestone fireplace.

In this home, the kitchen is open to the living and dining area, because as Giannone says, "the kitchen is part of the entertaining."

Pale beech cabinets nicely finished with moulding contrast with dark granite counters and charcoal subway tile backsplash in the kitchen. The hardwood flooring connects to the adjacent dining space where Giannone has installed a banquette in durable dark brown chenille to handle seating in a space-efficient way. Four simple reproduction chairs surround the glass table, and a taupe oriental carpet defines the area and adds warmth.

Banquettes in dining areas are great for homes where space needs to be maximized, Giannone says.

"It's like booth seating in a restaurant, and takes the place of two or three chairs without taking up as much room."

Though the models weigh in around 1,700 square feet, Giannone implemented good space management.

Tall ceilings and open concept go a long way in visually expanding the interiors.

Tall windows help flood the interiors with light, always welcome in Toronto especially when daylight hours decrease. That's also why she left most windows free of drapery, especially the kitchen, where curtains can be dust and grease catchers.

Traffic patterns were carefully considered, and furniture was kept to scale.

"Furniture can't be oversized, though it shouldn't be dinky either," Giannone says. "The banquette works well, because it's comfortable, works well where space is a premium, and it recalls chic restaurants."

It's also more versatile to pair a sofa with occasional chairs, rather than two sofas or sofa and loveseat. Chairs provide as much — or more — seating and can be pulled around wherever needed.

The same goes for benches, cubes and side tables, which fill in spaces and act as extra seating when necessary, she adds.