Room of the Day: Colorful Family Room With a Statement Fireplace
In this modern room, the designer uses light, color and framing to create a dramatic yet comfortable gathering space
When this Toronto homeowner imagined her new family room, she laid out a compelling vision for designer Jodie Rosen. “She wanted something modern, bright and colorful with a statement fireplace,” Rosen says. Working from a concept by architect Brad Abbott, Rosen and her client collaborated to create a grand, expansive space that synchronizes light and color with a fireplace that indeed makes a memorable statement.
Along with light and color, the room’s geometric bookshelf gives it a distinguishing look. At the time, Rosen was working on another project with a similar bookshelf and believed it would work in this room as well. Coincidentally, one of the homeowners in this project came across the same concept in another setting, and she approached Rosen about implementing the idea. “It was one of those perfect design moments where the client and designer are thinking the same thing at the same time,” Rosen says. She worked with Chubin to make it a reality. “It took a lot of effort to make and install it, but the payoff was huge,” Rosen says.
The books, which serve more than an aesthetic purpose, were part of the homeowners’ collection prior to the build. Fortunately, the homeowners were able to arrange them in a way that perfectly reflects the colors of the furniture. “It just worked out well that they worked with the color scheme — a happy accident,” Rosen says. “That’s a designer’s dream when they’ve done that to their bookcases.”
The books, which serve more than an aesthetic purpose, were part of the homeowners’ collection prior to the build. Fortunately, the homeowners were able to arrange them in a way that perfectly reflects the colors of the furniture. “It just worked out well that they worked with the color scheme — a happy accident,” Rosen says. “That’s a designer’s dream when they’ve done that to their bookcases.”
The fireplace, with its embedded flat-screen TV, was always going to be a central element of the room. Among other challenges, Rosen had to determine how to protect the TV from excessive heat. The solution: an indentation above the fireplace for the TV, which became a stylish feature itself. Rosen used Laminam porcelain tile for the column containing the fireplace and TV; the material helps the TV blend in with its surroundings.
Fireplace materials: Pietra D’Avola — Raw by Stone Source and Laminam by Crossville; chair: Impressive Furniture Design; artwork: Marc Cooper Art
Fireplace materials: Pietra D’Avola — Raw by Stone Source and Laminam by Crossville; chair: Impressive Furniture Design; artwork: Marc Cooper Art
The most significant design challenge was determining how to incorporate the nearby kitchen and create the transition between the two rooms.
The steps between the kitchen and the family room, included in the original drawings by Abbott, help separate the two living spaces while allowing for the family room’s 12-foot ceiling. “It creates a much grander area,” Rosen says. “It’s a really excellent way to make that area feel very big, but creates a more intimate [family room].”
The steps between the kitchen and the family room, included in the original drawings by Abbott, help separate the two living spaces while allowing for the family room’s 12-foot ceiling. “It creates a much grander area,” Rosen says. “It’s a really excellent way to make that area feel very big, but creates a more intimate [family room].”
Rosen’s greatest success was in integrating the family room and the kitchen. She used the partial wall of the family room to help frame the kitchen, adding drama and interest. Along with aesthetic considerations, that side of the room also addresses a practical need: The cabinet houses toys for the couple’s child; it also serves as another subtle reminder of the room’s versatility. Combining form and function, this room beckons brightly as a space for gathering, relaxing and playing.
Builder: Haddington Developments
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Builder: Haddington Developments
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15 Fun Features for Family Rooms
How to Hide Your TV in Plain Sight
Read more Room of the Day stories
Family Room at a Glance
Who lives here: A couple and their child
Location: Bedford Park neighborhood of Toronto
Size: 350 square feet (32.5 square meters)
Designers: Architect Brad Abbott and interior designer Jodie Rosen
This family room is part of a new home designed by Abbott. Rosen, the interior designer, was brought in during the building process. With Abbott’s inclusion of a wall-sized window, Rosen knew that light was an important factor. “There’s a ton of natural light that floods into the room,” she says. “We could go darker with the furniture and fabric choices because it could handle navy furniture with pink accents.”
Navy serves as the common thread throughout all of the furniture. “The ottoman is slightly blue with an undertone of creamy, silver colors, which is different from the couch and the floral chair,” Rosen says. “They are all different but part of the same family.” The navy and pink selections also compellingly contrast the room’s neutral grays.
The combination of colors contributes to the room’s flexibility, providing a comfortable living room for the family, a sophisticated gathering space for adults and a brightly colored playroom for children. “It’s triple-duty,” Rosen says.
Ottoman: Impressive Furniture Design; sofas: Mitchell Gold + Bob WIlliams, via Elte; fabrics on custom pieces: Robert Allen; carpet tiles: Flor; engineered flooring: Brushed Oak Kalispell, Kentwood