Tour a Warm and Inviting Contemporary Home

See and read how a designer created a stylishly cozy home with soothing white walls, light woods and durable materials

Mitchell Parker November 25, 2022

Houzz Editorial Staff. Home design journalist writing about cool spaces, innovative trends, breaking news, industry analysis and humor.

Houzz Editorial Staff. Home design journalist writing about cool spaces, innovative... More

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This young Toronto couple with two kids wanted a home that’s warm and inviting as well as open and airy. Designer Diana Bastone created the right balance with a soothing neutral paint color used throughout the home for welcoming continuity. She then layered lighting and visual textures for a contemporary style that’s subtle yet impactful. Performance fabrics and materials such as engineered quartz add looks and durability, while smart features like remote-controlled shades and heated bathroom flooring bring modern-day convenience.

Diana Bastone Designs

Photos by Stephani Buchman Photography

House at a Glance
Location: Toronto
Who lives here: A young couple with two children
Designer: Diana Bastone Designs
Architect: Jeff Cogliati
Builder: Old Orchard

In the family room, a custom sectional with performance fabric provides comfortable, easy-to-clean seating. A dark fireplace surround helps hide the TV when it’s not in use. The TV also has an option to display artwork, as shown here.

Light wood built-in storage units feature open shelving for display space. Smart home features let the family control things such as the audio system and motorized shades from an iPad.

Watch now: Go inside this cozy, contemporary home on Houzz TV

Diana Bastone Designs

Cabinet finishes define various zones in the kitchen. White (White Dove by Benjamin Moore) denotes the range area, black (Black Beauty by Benjamin Moore) sets off the island and white oak wood in a natural stain establishes the coffee station on the left and the fridge and oven area on the right.

Black-and-brown leather stools coordinate with similar details on the island pendant lights. The marble-look quartz countertops and slab backsplash are durable and easy-to-maintain surfaces.

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Diana Bastone Designs

A doorway between the wall ovens and fridge leads to what Bastone calls the “servery,” which features another sink, cabinet storage and a beverage fridge. White picket backsplash tile runs from the countertop to the ceiling.

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Diana Bastone Designs

The primary bedroom combines layers of warm and cool tones and textures. Wall paneling behind the bed adds visual interest. “We wanted it cozy, but we wanted it airy and light,” Bastone says.

Slatted fronts on the wood dresser repeat a linear motif that Bastone used throughout the home.

Diana Bastone Designs

An electric fireplace with a Super White quartzite surround sits opposite the bed. A pocket door leading to the primary bathroom saves space.

Watch now: Tour this home in the latest episode of Houzz TV

Diana Bastone Designs

The bathroom has heated flooring and a built-in light wood vanity with four deep drawers. “I always prefer drawers versus doors for vanities for easy access,” Bastone says. The solid-surface countertop has a chunky look and is easy to maintain.

Diana Bastone Designs

The curbless shower has a full glass enclosure, a floating bench and a long niche for keeping products off the floor.

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Diana Bastone Designs

The staircase creates a central focal point that can be seen from different angles in the home. Open risers and glass panels give it a light and airy look. “It just makes for a very modern vibe,” Bastone says.

Diana Bastone Designs

The home office is the first room visible when entering through the front door. “We wanted to make it spectacular,” Bastone says.

The tall room has a dropped ceiling with cove lighting and recessed lights. Open shelving displays vintage pieces such as an antique typewriter and a rotary phone. Textured wall paneling adds the linear element seen throughout the home.

Watch now: Peek inside this light and airy home

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