Decorating & Design
May 29, 2020
This Toronto Coworking Space Is A Design Lover’s Dream!
Toronto-based Carly Nemtean and Rocco Verrilli of Carriage Lane Design Build understand how tough working in design can be. With most running their business from home, there is little opportunity to connect with other members of the design community to collaborate in real life. That is why the duo launched The Collective Workspace, a coworking space dedicated to interior designers, architects and builders. “I want them to feel at home,” says Carly. “I want them to explore with their eyes, their touch, and feel inspired and motivated to design!”
The 13,000-square-foot space was renovated in just six months — impressive when you see the attention to detail that went into this buzzy new hub. Whimsical wallpaper, fresh foliage and luxurious textures turn every corner into an Instagram-worthy backdrop. Now accepting new members, the coworking space has social distancing measures in place to ensure safety for everyone.
Scroll down to tour this stylish workspace!
The concierge area sets the tone for the rest of the space with a colorful geometric statement wall. Plus, the blue channeled trim on the desk prove thought went into every detail.
“We really wanted the space to make people feel inspired, happy, cozy and motivated,” says Carly. “We wanted as much natural light as possible, plus lots of color and texture. We wanted the space to have character, but also have a sense of humor.” The kitchen area feels timeless yet of-the-moment with bold blue cabinets.
This stylish seating area is a lesson in mastering the mix. Suede and leather channeled banquette seating paired with French bistro-style tables juxtapose the modern lucite and velvet blue chairs beautifully.
“Because of the size and scale of the space, we were able to create different zones and niches fluid in color, without it being too cumbersome,” she says. “Solids mixed with patterns and neutrals paired with pops of color.”
The Materials Library is a great resource for designers to order products, go over samples and connect with vendors. The hanging plants and mismatched lighting feel unexpectedly modern.
“We didn’t want to stick to one particular style,” says Carly. “We also realized that styles are constantly in flux, which is why we love this industry!”
The private phone booths get a decorative touch with chairs covered in sweet vintage floral fabric.
Larger design teams can meet in the light and airy boardrooms, which give off an industrial vibe, thanks to exposed beams, sleek furniture and matte black lighting.
“With a coworking space, it gave us even more opportunity to explore how we work on a typical day, as we are essentially building this space for us,” says Carly. “This allowed us to focus on having fun and not take the finishes too seriously.”
Everyone needs a break during the workday, so Carly and Rocco designed a space for rest and relaxation, whether you’re doing a 10-minute meditation between meetings or vinyasa flow during lunch.
For members who need a quiet space to record a podcast, the soundproof private studio — complete with high-quality acoustics and two microphones — has everything you need.
In the bathroom, playful cheetah wallpaper and vertical tile in an on-trend green hue prove that small spaces can have big style.
Stephani Buchman
Carly Nemtean & Rocco Verrilli, Carriage Lane Design Build