Condos
September 13, 2021
Visit Veteran Designer Sharon Mimran’s Art-Filled Toronto Condo
As any skilled painter will tell you, emotional impact can come from a simple brushstroke or well-placed block of color. While Sharon Mimran’s chosen medium isn’t paint, the veteran designer has built a successful career by applying these principles to projects across Canada, the U.S. and Europe.
When it came time for Sharon to downsize to a two-bedroom condo in the new Four Seasons Private Residences Toronto, she took the lessons learned over her 35-year career to create an art-filled space defined by dramatic contrasts of black and white, playful accents and emotion. “I take pride in being able to create a fresh look for every project, giving the client a design that’s theirs alone,” says Sharon, whose work has appeared regularly in House & Home over the years, including nine cover stories. “But for my own home, I wanted to make a bigger statement and take more risks.”
To create a space that speaks uniquely to her tastes and personality, Sharon started from her favorite place: art. An avid collector as a young adult, the designer has a collection that spans genres and decades, from Joan Miró to Terry Richardson. Her 1,950-square-foot home contains a tightly curated selection of favorite works, with the overflow safely stored. “I’ve always had a keen eye for what artworks were classic and what investment pieces would stand the test of time,” she says. Sharon chose pieces for their emotional resonance and visual punch, using them to dictate the composition and mood of each room.
Moving into a condo from a succession of showpiece houses also meant that Sharon could only display a fraction of the furniture she had acquired over the years. She tackled this challenge — one every downsizer knows all too well — by carefully selecting meaningful heirlooms and splurging on a few new pieces to complement the layout. “It took me about three months to reinvent the layout using fewer pieces,” says Sharon.
Like an artist composing a scene, Sharon relied on the dramatic interplay of blacks and whites — including ebony-stained oak floors and white Carrara marble accented with black tile — to energize her space. While most of the walls are painted gallery white, she made deft use of black “drama walls” to accentuate two favorite artworks. “Voilà!” says Sharon. “Impact!”
Scroll down to step inside the designer’s art-filled condo!
“Creating a new space requires a good layout, a color scheme and focal points that make a wow statement right from the front door,” says Sharon.
In the entrance hall, Alex Katz’s Girls in Black Dresses creates visual impact from the get-go. The vibrant yellow backgrounds pop against the white walls and marble floor. “The bold color makes the characters come alive,” says Sharon.
A marble statuette that once belonged to Sharon’s mother and a shagreen bench are watched over by a tapestry of musician Lou Reed by artist Chuck Close.
New and vintage pieces complement Sharon’s striking black and white palette. Queen Eyes Closed, a holograph photograph by Chris Levine, hangs above a vintage bar cart.
The black dining area gives the open-concept space a quiet drama that’s revved up by impactful art. A striking portrait of Bob Dylan by rock music chronicler and film director Jerry Schatzberg adds even more moodiness. The 1970s Lucite table was handed down from Sharon’s mother.
The textures and patterns on the living room rug and vintage zebra ottoman turned coffee table create a richly layered feel.
The balcony enjoys a panoramic northwest exposure. “The view is like another piece of art, and every season the scene refreshes,” says Sharon.
The classic cool marble kitchen by Downsview Kitchens perfectly suits Sharon’s aesthetic.
Sharon’s keen eye for complementary forms led her to combine a photograph by Bryan Adams of Canadian supermodel Linda Evangelista and a blurred shot by Austrian artist Eva Schlegel with an ornate vintage folding stool.
Touches of wood like this powder room vanity made from a 1940s chest of drawers add warmth throughout the condo.
While pieces in the guest bedroom span a century or more in terms of style, their curvaceous lines create a cohesive, cozy look.
A dramatic vanity, antique walnut chair and curated accessories ensure the principal bathroom complements the condo’s main living areas.
A light palette lends serenity to the principal bathroom. A photograph of Kate Moss is unexpected and striking.
Successfully executing a black and white palette is all about knowing where to add a colorful accent, whether it’s modern art or an orange Hermès box. “It’s the best way to highlight neutrals,” says Sharon.
Combining animal prints adds freshness and fun when done right — as Sharon deftly proves.
Patrick Biller
House & Home September 2021
Sharon Mimran