Cover The dining room of a 1980s penthouse, renovated by Dvira Interiors in Toronto, Canada
The dining room of a 1980s penthouse, renovated by Dvira Interiors in Toronto, Canada
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Step into this renovated Toronto penthouse, designed by Dvira Interiors to evoke images of Mediterranean sunshine and Balinese serenity for a deeply creative couple
The best homes balance elements of their past iterations with the demands of modern living. This Toronto, Canada home certainly falls under that category. When Dvira Ovadia, founder and principal of Dvira Interiors, first walked into a three-storey penthouse in downtown Toronto’s St Lawrence neighbourhood, she encountered a space that was grounded in an earlier era, but had its distinctive set of charms.
“We fell in love with the apartment the moment we walked in,” she recalled. "While undeniably dated, it was full of charm, character and untapped potential. We immediately knew this was a space that could become truly special.”
The building dates to the 1980s, and its architecture maintains the bold eccentricities of that era with its rounded and half-arched windows and sculptural silhouettes. While a less attentive designer might have smoothed these details away, Ovadia chose to celebrate them. The curves became the Toronto home interior’s throughline, lending the whole space a sense of dynamic cohesion that feels at once rooted in the building’s origins and entirely made for the present.
More from Tatler: Home tour: a multigenerational family home in Hyderabad, India
Above The living room of a 1980s penthouse, renovated by Dvira Interiors in Toronto, Canada
Above The living room of a 1980s penthouse, renovated by Dvira Interiors in Toronto, Canada
The living room of a 1980s penthouse, renovated by Dvira Interiors in Toronto, Canada
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An important part of the design process was getting to know the property’s homeowners, two well-travelled creatives who were willing to push the boundaries of experimenting with such a unique property. “Their trust and willingness to experiment with colour, pattern and unconventional finishes ensured we could craft an interior that is as bold and personal as it is full of energy,” shared Ovadia.
Over the course of their collaborations, they came up with a compelling palette of dark honey wood tones and rich greens, warm terracottas and soft creams. These elements were inspired by scenes from the Arizona desert and Balinese serenity, creating an environment that feels meditative and perfect to unwind in after a long day.
Above The living room of a 1980s penthouse, renovated by Dvira Interiors in Toronto, Canada
The living room of a 1980s penthouse, renovated by Dvira Interiors in Toronto, Canada
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The main level flows between kitchen, living and dining areas to maintain continuity with the couple’s love for cooking, entertaining and engaging in creative hobbies together. Two balconies extend off this level, drawing the greenery inside and dissolving the boundary between the urban exterior and the interior’s lush, verdant palette.
White oak stained in deep honey tones and warm hardwood flooring create a cohesive foundation underfoot; a mix of rich green marble and travertine adds depth and creates an altogether more contemplative setting for gatherings to take place.
When asked for an unexpectedly potent detail, Ovadia shared that the wallpapers throughout the Toronto apartment were a source of particular creative inspiration. The jungle was a key source of inspiration, by which the team was able to “layer patterns and textures to bring depth and a sense of escapism to each space.”
The direction was sparked by the clients’ experience of the Proper Hotel in Austin, whose eclectic and richly layered aesthetic created a truly resonant and immersive experience. To complete the experience, wallpapers from Phillip Jeffries, Schumacher and House of Hackney introduce the homeowners’ personalities.
Above The primary bedroom of a 1980s penthouse, renovated by Dvira Interiors in Toronto, Canada
The primary bedroom of a 1980s penthouse, renovated by Dvira Interiors in Toronto, Canada
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Above The primary bedroom of a 1980s penthouse, renovated by Dvira Interiors in Toronto, Canada
Above The primary bathroom of a 1980s penthouse, renovated by Dvira Interiors in Toronto, Canada
The primary bedroom of a 1980s penthouse, renovated by Dvira Interiors in Toronto, Canada
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The second level organises itself around one of the apartment's most architecturally notable features: a sun-drenched lounge that draws the eye upward and allows natural light to permeate the space.
Nearby, the primary suite continues the elemental palette in a more muted hue. A burlap-like wallpaper is carried from the walls onto the ceiling, cocooning the room in a cosy, vintage atmosphere that evokes images of a bird’s nest.
One of the challenges the team encountered during construction of the Toronto home was unexpected plumbing constraints, which necessitated the addition of bulkheads. The team showcased their ingenuity by softening the new forms with curves, creating an eye-catching feature that flowed seamlessly into the home’s unique geometries.
The family room of a 1980s penthouse, renovated by Dvira Interiors in Toronto, Canada
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Moving onto the third level, guests are enveloped in what Ovadia called the Toronto project’s most rewarding and unexpected feature. All the walls, ceilings and doors are encased in a single terracotta limewash, transporting entrants into a world of sunbaked, Mediterranean warmth. An otherwise oversized family room quickly becomes a cocoon from the bustling neighbourhood, creating “an atmosphere that feels immersive, welcoming and uniquely their own.”
In case you missed it: Home tour: a Corbusian-inspired family apartment in the historic heart of Ahmedabad, India
Above The home office of a 1980s penthouse, renovated by Dvira Interiors in Toronto, Canada
The home office of a 1980s penthouse, renovated by Dvira Interiors in Toronto, Canada
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In the more functional areas of the home, the office occupies its own considered corner. Cork wallpaper infuses the space with more tactile, masculine sensibilities, while a green Jacob’s Ladder bookshelf creates a more playful atmosphere that provides a reprieve from working.
When the homeowners need a break from their respective creative processes, they can easily cross over into the Toronto apartment’s abundance of outdoor spaces. Balconies and patios extend off nearly every room across all three levels, ensuring that the easy access of city living stays tempered by generous and seamless interactions with the natural world. Altogether, the penthouse has become the distillation of many innovations and historical elements, creating a truly unforgettable home for all those lucky enough to enter.
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Credits
Photography: Lauren Miller
Production: Karine Monié
About
Celine first read Charlotte’s Web at the age of five–and she hasn’t stopped turning pages since. Her favourite authors are Mona Awad and Nat Cassidy. Besides writing for Tatler, she listens to BTS and spends time with her family.
Work
Celine took up secondary education with a major in English, graduating from De La Salle University in 2023. She advocates for female empowerment through creative expression by writing for Tatler Homes.
For story leads or inquiries, you may reach out to her via celine.dabao@tatlerasia.com.
