Decorating & Design
December 16, 2016
How To Design A Party-Ready Home
A consummate host and the former managing director of Toronto event space The Carlu, high-end planner Jeffry Roick is no stranger to celebrity-packed parties and fêtes for English royalty. So perhaps it’s only natural that his own home, which he shares with partner Jamie Temos, a schoolteacher, is always ready to welcome guests.
Fluid and full of conversation pieces, the spacious house is a far cry from the aging midtown Toronto bungalow the couple first came across in 2004. With help from local designer Allen Chan of DesignAgency, the 4,800-square-foot house boasts a striking façade and open, elegant rooms peppered with standout art and Art Deco finds. Click through to discover some of the elements that make this home so perfectly inviting.
A second-level addition maintains the home’s mid-century modern look, while adding necessary square-footage and a touch of contemporary appeal. “I grew up in the mid ’60s, so I really liked the original aesthetic of the house,” Jeffry explains. “We wanted to maintain its integrity.”
While there’s ample seating and lots of spots to set drinks, breathing room between pieces makes mingling easy. Expansive outdoor views add to the roomy feel.
Floating between the adjoining dining and living areas, a rotating stainless steel fireplace divides the two zones and catches the eyes of guests as they enter the house. Generous windows and glass doors let the party flow seamlessly from the dinner table to the backyard.
Combining a mid-century Saarinen table and Artichoke lamp, gleaming Art Deco vase and contemporary art gives the multipurpose den the kind of unexpected appeal guests will talk about long after the party is over. Grasscloth walls and a handsome fireplace create a cozy vibe — perfect for smaller gatherings.
“I really started to fall in love with Art Deco furniture and design when I was researching The Carlu,” says Jeffry, a key player behind the event space’s restoration. He counts this tall wooden credenza in the living area as one of his favorite pieces in the lavish style. An Art Deco tea set (top left) is another intriguing accent.
Jeffry and Jamie’s bedroom — one of three in the home — combines rich detail with a calming vibe, making it the perfect retreat after a night of hosting. An Art Deco-style sleigh bed and arched sconces elevate the space, while a neutral palette and pared-back decor keep things serene.
While guests are invited to admire every last detail in the public spaces of the house, Jeffry and Jamie wanted their principal bath to be a spa-like escape. The double vanity has a clean, lightweight look, while the sunken tub offers views through a skylight overhead. A wall of zebra white marble tile adds a hit of drama.
Alex Lukey
House & Home September 2016
Allen Chan, Design Agency