A PLACE FOR EVERYTHING

Designer Jennifer Backstein creates sleek storage solutions in a busy family home.

TEXT MARTHA UNIACKE BREEN PHOTOGRAPHY MIKE CHAJECKI

omeowners and custom-home builders Carlo and Nicole Muia wanted a clean, contemporary look for their King City, Ont., home. They also craved big, open, flexible-use spaces that would be clearly visible from each other. But keeping multipurpose rooms tidy and organized can be challenging, says Jennifer Backstein, especially with young kids (the couple have two). Tasked with designing the interiors for the whole house, she helped Carlo and Nicole mastermind storage solutions to keep things clutter-free. The key, says Jennifer, is planning.

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“A common conversation I have with clients is discussing exactly what they have to store, ” she says. “My goal is to make it easy for them to tidy up and keep things out of sight. ” Here ’ s how she helped the Muia family keep clutter at bay, in the most sleek and sumptuous way.

Sleight of Hand

Making storage an integral part of the design automatically ups the practicality factor without compromising style. For the family room (left), tall cabinets feature display niches, as well as mirrored-chrome detailing for glam; inside, shelves and drawers hold everything from kids’ toys and art supplies to electronics and remotes. Similar floor-to-ceiling cabinetry in the combo living room/home office (right) conceals a printer, office supplies and files.

DESIGN, Jennifer Backstein Interiors. BUILDER, Carval Homes. MILLWORK (throughout), Rivermede Woodworking Ltd. ACCESSORIES, PENDANT LIGHTS, CHAIRS, CARPET, COFFEE TABLE, Elte. MARBLE SLABS, Ciot. SOFAS (family room), Montauk; (home office), Elte.com.

Now You See It

In the living room, matching console tables flanking a central panel store everyday items, including overflow storage for the adjacent dining room. The big reveal: the panel rolls back to either side on a hidden track, exposing a big-screen TV, underneath which are closed cupboards for even more storage.

SIDE CABINETS, CB2. PICTURE LIGHTS, CHAIRS, CARPET, COFFEE TABLE, Elte.

“IF THERE ISN’T MONEY IN THE BUDGET FOR BUILT-INS,THEN EVERY PIECE OF FURNITURE SHOULD HAVE STORAGE CAPABILITY – LIKE CONSOLE TABLES OR OTTOMANS WITH LIDS. ”

“FOR CARLO’S DRESSING AREA,WE DISCUSSED HIS NEEDS IN DETAIL, SO THERE’S A SPOT FOR EVERYTHING: CLOTHING, SHOES AND ACCESSORIES, BUT ALSO TIES,WATCHES AND EVEN SPORTS EQUIPMENT. ”

Custom Tailored

Carlo’s dressing area (opposite) is sleek and open, but hidden behind those high-gloss black doors is a wealth of bespoke storage that was designed in advance to suit him. Against the striking backdrop of a single marble slab, open shelves provide a place to display shapely accent pieces and books.

MARBLE SLAB, Ciot. ACCESSORIES, Elte. BENCHES, CB2.

A Room of Her Own

Nicole’s dressing area (above) is roomy enough to double as a sitting room. Backlit niches create a showroom-style display for purses, while open corner shelves hold books, art objects and more purses. As with Carlo’s dressing area, Nicole’s closet space was carefully preplanned to provide ample storage for every item in her wardrobe.

ACCESSORIES, Elte.