Elizabeth Metcalfe, The Classic Style With Modern Luxurious Interiors
Elizabeth Metcalfe has quietly become known and respected for creating interiors that unify classic style with modern luxury, over the last two decades. They have been featured in numerous publications and have received international recognition and awards for their excellence within the design community. In this article, we will talk about the classic style with modern luxurious interiors from Elizabeth Metcalfe!
Elizabeth Metcalfe – Lakeview Penthouse
Calm, sophisticated and luxurious describes this spacious lakeside Penthouse overlooking Toronto’s expansive skyline on the shores of Lake Ontario. It was a wonderful opportunity to reinvent a 3,500 square foot residence for a well-travelled businesswoman. Elizabeth Metcalfe brief was simple: create a ‘hotel-like' residence flexible to host large parties, while maintaining the intimacy of a private home. Demolishing a warren of angled partition walls to bare concrete slabs revealed a shell waiting to be transformed into a light-filled home. Elizabeth Metcalfe goal was to define the interior architecture and design a floor plan that divided the space into two separate zones, one public and one private. It was important to create a beautiful Foyer that introduced the design vision and visually felt connected to the open living area. A custom installation of three pivoting metal and tinted glass screens define the area without closing it off. A neutral colour story, quiet natural finishes, and understated silhouettes were incorporated to showcase the overall experience of viewing the spectacular vistas. A structural wall clad in pale limestone separates the Living Room from the Dining Area and Kitchen, while still keeping the flow of space open for entertaining large groups of friends and family. Original art and artisanal pieces were carefully curated for their beauty and easy elegance. A well-appointed private Master Bedroom Suite at the opposite end of the Penthouse consists of a large Bedroom, comfortable Den, serene Bathroom and a spacious Closet all connected by a lovely Entry Hall that can be easily closed off with a set of custom pocket doors. Large expansions of glass bring in abundant natural light to accentuate the pure lines of the understated architecture creating a vision of contemporary luxury.
Elizabeth Metcalfe – Forest Hill Century Home
There’s a delicate balance in honouring a century-old home’s past and redefining it for a modern family’s lifestyle. With care and respect, Elizabeth Metcalfe accepted the challenge and designed a home that feels relevant for its newest reincarnation. Sunlit and shadowy; classic and contemporary, this home resonates a beauty that was part of its original charm. The formal Living Room combines definitive modern silhouettes within a traditional envelope. It exudes luxury without being pretentious or unapproachable. A mix of styles effortlessly relates to one another. In contrast to the feminine nature of the Living Room, the Study is decidedly masculine. The vibrant palette of a traditional area rug anchors contemporary furnishings, millwork and lighting fixtures. Richly coloured mohair, flannel, and horsehair are all traditional fibres, that adds warmth and texture to modern frames. A multi-layered plaster ceiling in the Dining Room is an unexpected strategy, bridging traditional features with modern elements. A custom marble dining table and minimal furnishings define this room on its own terms. In the breakfast room, Danish-designed chairs, an Italian light fixture, a hand-painted stool by Venezuelan artist Reinaldo Sanguino and a rustic cowhide, happily mix with one another. On the second floor, a reimagined Master Bedroom Sitting Room is grounded by an exceptionally beautiful original marble fire surround. Keeping the furnishings simple brings elegance to this casually sophisticated room. A curved custom lacquered screen anchors an upholstered headboard in the Master Bedroom. Dramatic wall sconces, a Diego Giacometti inspired white plaster light fixture, and a beautiful upholstered bench is distinct elements that create a space that feels ageless, balanced and united. In the corner sits a magical shagreen chair by R&Y Augousti as if to command unabashed attention. Beauty redefined for the 21st century.
Elizabeth Metcalfe – Edgewater Estate
This completely newly built home on Oakville’s lakeshore is rooted in classic design and modern sensibility. While working closely with the architect and builder, Elizabeth Metcalfe created a beautiful home for a young family from the ground up. The owners wanted a home that was luxurious and sophisticated for entertaining and at the same time modern and comfortable for their young family. Running seamlessly through the home are subtle references that repeat an undeniable sense of calm, harmony, and balance. The foyer is a home’s first impression; the custom rift-cut oak wall panels and wool fabric wrapped panels set the tone for the home. The same design details are repeated into the dining room where the bronze etched mirror above the fireplace casts a glow that reflects the mood of this elegant space. The back of the home features a large kitchen, breakfast area and great room that has a much lighter and fresh feel.