Audax has recently converted a floor of a commercial building in downtown Toronto into a family-friendly home. One unique feature that separates The Home in Little Italy from other Audax projects is the fact that it is the home of the firm's principal, Gianpiero Pugliese.
Married with two children, Gianpiero and his wife began to look for something different from the standard Toronto house when searching for a new home to meet their growing family's needs. Without wanting to give up their downtown lifestyles, they purchased a floor of a commercial building with the vision of converting it into a family-friendly home. "This design provides us with all of the amenities of a house, while offering all of the conveniences of an apartment," Pugliese commented.
The interior layout was modeled after a New York style apartment to include all the comforts of a house, including a formal foyer, three bedrooms, two washrooms, an open-concept living, kitchen and dining room, and a generously sized laundry. The family also enjoy direct access to their unit from the street with a private elevator.
The interior design features a harmonious mix of modern and traditional elements. To create a warm and cozy base, they selected a herringbone wood floor and traditional door casing, trim and hardware. The traditional envelope is then layered with modern luxuries, including a sleek and contemporary-styled kitchen and modern Italian-inspired furniture. Many of the pieces used in the home are from Audax's very own furniture collection, including the Evelyn Armchair, Vasari Dining Table, Raphael Dining Chair and the Donatello Console.
A winter garden was also designed in this unit, which is an enclosed living room with operable windows on two sides. This is a unique and coveted amenity to have in the heart of the city. When the windows are opened in the summertime, the living space is converted into a covered terrace. This allows Gianpiero and his family to enjoy a private open-air space in lieu of a backyard, which can also be used year-round as indoor space.
Photography: Erik Rotter