This spacious entryway opens up views from the front door through to the family room and gardens beyond.

Symmetry is one of the hallmarks of classic Georgian design, and Matthew Sapera Fine Homes designed this foyer with facing living and dining rooms. Wide archways framed with stately mouldings open up the main floor rooms to each other. “When the rooms are lined up, you get beautiful sight lines,” explains interior designer Brian Gluckstein. To break up the space, he added a vignette with an antique Empire table and lantern-style pendant lights.

Browse the Brian Gluckstein Interiors gallery for more of his style.

A black and white palette and pendant lights create a tailored look.

Designer Brian Gluckstein advises homeowners to keep it simple when it comes to cupboards, flooring and countertops, since those materials are expensive to replace if you get bored of them. “Don’t go over the top on anything that can’t be changed easily. If you order electric blue cabinets, you better really like the colour — you’ll be stuck with it for a while,” he says. In this family-friendly kitchen, he chose practical honed granite countertops to hide fingerprints, and installed brackets under the breakfast bar to help define spaces for stools. The panelling-covered fridge is a luxe touch.

Browse the Brian Gluckstein Interiors gallery for more of his style.

Modern art and a sisal rug keep the look contemporary.

This dining room, designed by Brian Gluckstein, features a calm monochromatic scheme and a fireplace as its focal point. The room’s generous proportions, full-length silk drapes, and linen- and velvet-upholstered chairs with French damask backs introduce drama and elegance. Although formal, the homeowners wanted to keep the home “livable” for their two young boys. “Nothing in the house is off-limits to the kids,” they say. In this room, pillows have been piled into forts under the extra-long Georgian dining table.

Browse the Brian Gluckstein Interiors gallery for more of his style.

Double up on key furniture pieces to create a symmetrical layout.

English bureaus flank the fireplace, corralling clutter in this formal yet cosy space. Timeless silhouettes upholstered in family-friendly fabrics meet the demands of everyday use.

For more designer style secrets, see our photo gallery.

Or browse the Brian Gluckstein Interiors gallery for more of his style.

Add eclectic finds to personalize a space.

Buddha sculptures create a calming effect in the living room. In every room, Gluckstein balanced the architectural formality with a youthful mix of styles. Adding travel finds or vintage treasures injects a personal touch to a new home.

Maximize space in unexpected areas by adding a small sofa for a reading nook.

This upstairs landing, albeit spacious, makes the perfect spot to pause and unwind without the distractions of the kitchen or TV room. Tables with concealed storage hide clutter away in high-traffic areas.

A soft palette injects warmth.

This welcoming bedroom, by Toronto designer Brian Gluckstein, incorporates a mix of textures. A dramatic worsted-wool headboard adds a modern note, while the bedding, sofa fabric, and drapery are quite traditional. A sofa and tray table at the foot of a bed creates an inviting place to read before retiring.

Browse the Brian Gluckstein Interiors gallery for more of his style.

Customize storage to make full use of space.

Designer Brian Gluckstein added plenty of storage to this principal dressing room and bathroom. To the left, desk drawers conceal hair products, makeup and accessories. Overhead storage is perfect for out of season clothing or guest linens, and closet shelves were designed to store shoes and bags. In the bathroom, quiet artwork and a blue Fortuny light transform the space into an elegant retreat. Symmetrical floor-to-ceiling cabinets on either side of the tub balance the room and add even more linen storage.

Browse the Brian Gluckstein Interiors gallery for more of his style.

Symmetrical shelves make a glam kitchen practical.

Designer Brian Gluckstein used ebony cabinets, brushed metal accents and warm white Calacatta marble for the counters and backsplash in this kitchen. Refusing to give up function for form, he also installed smart shelving on either side of the range for commonly-used bottles and books.

View more photos of this kitchen in our October 2008 issue. Plus, see more industrial spaces in our Industrial Interiors photo gallery.

Or browse the Brian Gluckstein Interiors gallery for more of his style.

Dark cabinetry creates a dramatic, moody space.

Metallic trim on the kitchen drawers, oversized hardware and a gorgeous glass lamp on the island add sparkle and contrast to the dark wood cabinets and countertops in this sleek kitchen. The stainless steel range hood provides a showstopping focal point to the room.

See more stylish condo spaces in our Luxe Condo Decorating Ideas gallery.

Or browse the Brian Gluckstein Interiors gallery for more of his style.

Velvet upholstered walls and cushions add glam.

Brian Gluckstein designed this 1930s-inspired concept space for the 2008 Interior Design Show. The velvet walls define the reading nook without taking the focus away from the striking marble fireplace and three-dimensional carved plaster relief. For the same plaster look on the cheap, try Asian-inspired wallpaper above a fireplace or on an accent wall. Gluckstein also experimented with warm colours like lavender, brown, cream and taupe. Balanced with shades of grey, the palette stays fresh and not too feminine.

Browse the Brian Gluckstein Interiors gallery for more of his style.

Open up views to two-storey spaces.

This 2008 Interior Design Show concept space, designed by Brian Gluckstein, puts the two-storey living room on display with extra-high windows. “I love the volume of space and height in two-storey libraries. It’s a real luxury,” Gluckstein says. “But people can get the same illusion of height by painting their baseboards, walls and crown moulding all the same colour. Likewise, very high doorways, windows or arches make a space seem taller.”

Browse the Brian Gluckstein Interiors gallery for more of his style.

Display books for stately style.

This spacious dining room is actually a Brian Gluckstein-designed concept space for the 2008 Interior Design Show. Having two storeys in a dining room is a luxury, but Gluckstein loves the idea of displaying books wherever possible. “One element every space should include is a library or bookshelf. Books create atmosphere, and give visitors a window into the person who lives there,” he explains. This dining area is made even more dramatic with ebony-stained cabinets with a horizontal grain, which Gluckstein added for unexpected visual interest.

Browse the Brian Gluckstein Interiors gallery for more of his style.