photos by Mark Hines
How does a style-setter handle her own home? When the owner of Colleen
Horner Kitchen Bath Tile & Stone bought 3,200 square feet of raw condo space
set high in the prestigious University Club Tower, she enlisted the help of
Haven Interiors Ltd. The result is a quietly dramatic Downtown retreat that
Horner loves. With an eye to quiet contemplation and elegant entertaining, Haven
designer Donna Sweet took inspiration from the condominium’s stunning lake and
streetscape views to create a serene grey/green/blue ‘water palette’ accented by
taupe and gold with silver undertones. Despite an abundance of unobstructed
light, contrasting dark furniture and subtle textures of silk, linen, mohair and
velvet maintain the interior’s integrity. Key elements in shaping the open space
include imported stone floors, custom silk and wool rugs, and a classic
tête-à-tête sofa. The design allows for intimate dinners with a view at a corner
lamp table or the drama of dining en masse around a glass table illuminated by a
chandelier of natural Capiz shells.
Under ceilings aglow with metallic paint
finishes, dazzling touches like exquisite mother-of-pearl wall coverings,
eco-chic mosaic glass, Lalique crystal fixtures, custom African wenge wood
cabinetry and imported Bella Crème marble tiles establish restful opulence
throughout the powder room, master and guest bathrooms.
Tucked into the corner of the master bedroom
suite, a mirrored-finish vanity reminiscent of old Hollywood allows Horner to
apply makeup in natural light.
Custom-made doors fitted with backlit
opaque glass panels reminiscent of shoji screens add distinct visual interest to
long narrow hallways while camouflaging utility closets and electronic
circuitry.
The entertainment room, with its custom
leather bench, sliding tray table and incredible dark-chocolate,
alligator-inspired custom wall covering, is enriched by soft lighting and
punctuated by lush textile art pillows. The orange corner desk adds a splash of
bright, rich color.
Given its luscious layering of textures and tones, Horner’s master
bedroom suite reflects her taste for tailored, yet feminine, glamour. A
remote-controlled retractable flat-screen TV tucks conveniently into a
custom-designed cabinet at the base of her Asian-inspired four-poster bed.
Befitting her company’s reputation for
excellence, Horner’s straightforward kitchen boasts the convenience and cool of
top-end Japanese ‘Tamo ash’ custom cabinetry from Dutch Made. Italian Terra Lite
stone flooring, granite countertops, and built-in appliances and refrigeration
drawers from Wolf and Sub Zero complete the picture.
Opposite the dining area and blending seamlessly within the condo’s
open concept is a custom-designed wet bar, decked out in a restrained
silvery-green high-gloss finish and boasting Michael Wainwright handmade
porcelain dinnerware. Stainless shelving is stocked with Tony Davlin platinum
leaf stemware and Salviati etched crystal barware.
Given the close collaboration between Horner and Sweet, the entire
design project was completed in less than a year. “Donna always understood my
vision and helped me expand upon it,” Horner says. “She’s created a beautiful
sense of tranquility for me and I love it.”
