Condos/Apartments
Farah Altoumah Brings Bold Style To A Couple’s Compact Toronto Condo
Published on March 22, 2024
There’s something undeniably appealing about Toronto’s skyline. With its iconic structures and mélange of architecture, the sprawl is quintessentially urban. When Megan Kozak, founder of POUTx injectable clinic, and Shaun Lambrou, also an entrepreneur in the health-care industry, purchased their 960-square-foot condo in June 2020, they knew they were claiming their own slice of the view.
The loft-style building is part of Urban Capital’s River City development, an east end revitalization project in the West Don Lands. While the builder-basic interior finishes left plenty to be desired, it was the two walls of windows in the two-bedroom, two-bath suite that captured their hearts. “As soon as we walked in, I was like, ‘Yep, we’re buying it,’ ” says Megan. “I told her, ‘We need to shop around, this is the first place we’ve seen!’ ” adds Shaun. “But nothing we saw could compete with that view.”
While they were charmed by the vista, the interiors needed help. The couple hired designer Farah Altoumah in March 2021 to customize their suite. “Farah had helped give my previous clinic a facelift and I knew we would work well together,” says Megan. Their primary asks: more storage, more functionality and a new look to suit their bold, minimalist aesthetic. “Megan wanted the condo to have a luxe vibe,” says Farah. “We took a multifunctional approach, so the space would have a high-fashion look that would work for a photo shoot while still feeling like a home.”
Scroll down for a look inside this loft-style condo designed by Farah Altoumah!
Farah got to work on a full gut, opening up walls and reimagining the layout to make it more functional. Throughout the seven-month-long project, a large chunk of the budget went to new built-in storage, herringbone floors, natural stone accents and reconfiguring the second bedroom to become a multipurpose area with a wall bed, dedicated office and workout space. Farah then layered in dramatic elements including heavily veined Calacatta Viola marble, statement furniture, and a midnight black kitchen and second bath. “Megan, in particular, had very strong ideas of what she wanted and wasn’t afraid to take a few risks,” says Farah.
But with big risks come big learning curves. Megan really wanted a matte black kitchen and Farah got a great deal on a matte black Neolith counter. “I quickly learned, never do matte counters — they show everything!” says Farah. Megan and Shaun also had their hearts set on a European-inspired island with a stone counter that would slide across to reveal the cooktop. “We got the mechanism from the U.K. and had the whole thing installed only to discover it was too heavy to operate,” says Farah. “It was big and clunky; we later referred to it as the spaceship!”
The fix was to create an elongated eating island. “While I love creating beautiful interiors, my ethos has always been to design spaces that are functional and suit my clients’ needs,” says Farah. The design brief was always top of mind. “For every design decision we made, we asked ourselves, ‘Is this in service to the view?’ ”
An appliance garage keeps the microwave and coffee maker tucked away.
The custom paint color used in the living room and principal bedroom is intentionally muted to keep the focus on the windows. “I wanted the walls and beams to fade into the background,” says Farah. “The view dictated every design decision we made. The skyline is the showstopper the minute you walk into the space.”
With no door to the principal bedroom, Farah had to consider every sight line. A room divider provides separation from the kitchen and features a dramatic Sydney marble.
Megan hates clutter, so maximizing storage was a must. The built-in cabinets in the principal bedroom were painted the same color as the ceiling and walls to make them recede into the space.
Gold-toned shower fixtures and striking Calacatta Viola marble on the walls, tub surround, niche and counter give the principal bathroom a bold yet feminine vibe.
A new vanity with drawers and a mirror with a hidden medicine cabinet provide additional storage.
Closets in the multipurpose room were removed to make space for Megan’s StairMaster and Peloton bike. “Because we needed to put down black gym mats to protect the floors, this alcove naturally became black with panelled walls and built-in storage for bike shoes and other equipment,” says Farah.
A wall of millwork in the multipurpose room fits a desk and wall bed. “The bed is perfect for watching movies on our projector,” says Shaun. “You feel like you’re in a theatre.”
“Shaun loves dark colors,” says Farah of the minimalist palette in the second bathroom. “This is a nice place to shower in the morning with the music blasting,” adds Megan.
For Megan, this project has been a resounding success. “My favorite thing is getting up early to watch the sunrise as I drink my coffee in the living room,” says Megan. “When the sun reflects on the buildings, the city looks rose gold and makes me feel so inspired.”
Here’s Why They Chose It:
The View: “When I walked in and saw the view, it took my breath away. I told Shaun, ‘I have to live here,’ ” says Megan.
The Location: “It’s close to work, the Distillery District, Leslieville, the highway and Corktown Common, where we take the dog. Everything is within reach,” says Shaun.
The Space: “At less than 1,000 square feet, the suite feels surprisingly spacious and open,” says Shaun. “It’s perfect for our lives right now.”
The Windows: “We’d been renting in an older building while we worked on our careers and, when we upgraded, I knew I wanted lots of big windows,” says Shaun.
Lauren Miller
House & Home
Farah Altoumah