Decorating & Design
This Glamorous Penthouse Showcases Saskatoon’s High Style
Published on April 9, 2018
The Canadian Prairies might not be known as a mecca for high design, but partners and Atmosphere Interior Design owners Curtis Elmy and Trevor Ciona aim to change that. The couple is challenging stereotypes with their condo, proving that sumptuous, glam style is right at home in Saskatchewan.
With sparkling city views, the 2,100-square-foot condo has a cosmopolitan look. Once a rural outpost, Saskatoon is now a booming metropolis and a cultural hot spot, boasting the world’s largest collection of Picasso linocuts. Curtis and Trevor’s elegant and artful home epitomizes the city’s new direction. Here’s how they reimagined their seventh-floor space.
Homeowners and designers Trevor Ciona (left) and Curtis Elmy.
Across from the main entrance, a striking piece of art sets the tone. The pair saw a similar photograph by Jason Eng on a trip to Calgary and commissioned a custom version to fit their space, joining a contemporary console and two gold-toned Platner chairs.
In the spacious living room, the panoramic, west-facing views take center stage, while the room’s symmetrical furniture arrangement is ideal for conversation. It might be a formal setting, but it’s far from stuffy. The large marble table doubles as a games table during parties.
Though the pair admits that pizza is as far as their culinary expertise extends, they still wanted a kitchen where they could entertain in style. The dramatic black Zebrano countertop — inspired by the one at Kelly Wearstler’s Melrose Avenue shop — showcases the 12-foot-long island, while ample storage is cleverly hidden behind touch-latch doors. “With such a large open-concept space and a relatively small run of cabinetry and backsplash, we needed something with wow factor — the countertop was it,” says Trevor.
The condo had been designed with a narrow desk nook, which didn’t really make sense for Curtis and Trevor. They converted it to a bar and display area, with dark glossy cabinets, a mirrored backsplash and a wine fridge.
The duo wanted to do something special in the guest bathroom, so they had three styles of marble tiles cut and installed in a custom pattern as a feature wall. “With a full shower, we need it to be durable and still have great impact,” says Trevor.
Though Trevor and Curtis wanted to keep the principal bedroom serene, they couldn’t resist a few graphic textiles. “We still needed a punch — we love mixing patterns!” says Trevor. A custom diamond-coffered ceiling adds another textural dimension.
Though drapes are an unusual choice for a bathroom, the designers wanted to soften the hard edges of the space. Marble-look porcelain tiles on the floor and walls are luxe but low-maintenance. This room is a favorite end-of-day retreat, says Curtis. “I like a long soak in the tub catching up on my favorite TV shows — it’s like a spa day every day!”
The pair chose a dark, moody wallpaper by Kelly Wearstler to envelop the room and create a cozy feeling. “You have to be bold with these choices,” says Curtis. “We’re more focused on doing what we love — and we love Kelly Wearstler’s designs — than resale potential.” Glam accents such as a striking mirror and honeycomb hardware echo the tones of the wallpaper, giving the room a glitzy feel.