topic Re: MODERN CITY CONDO in Home

MODERN CITY CONDO

Oznell — Wed, 08 Jan 2025 19:00:59 GMT

Thought this might be an interesting contrast to all the traditional houses I've been posting of late.

It's black and white, stylishly both contemporary and vintage, and has a super view of Toronto, all the way to the CN Tower.

It's home to designer Sharon Mimran. She reminds me of a cool older kid you might have known in high school, and thought of as "avant garde"; one who has effortless style, and strong opinions on everything, including art and design!

It's another dwelling that isn't my own personal style-- but I revel in the skill of someone who knows what she likes, and can put it together with flair.

One interest I definitely share with her, is black-and-white art photography. I'm not sure, but think that is early Bob Dylan over the buffet in the dining area... And the guy in the very first image above, in case you were wondering, is songwriter Lou Reed. Unbelievably, that one is an intricately woven tapestry, not a photo!

The bold brass chandelier is vintage Sixties'. The sleek black leather dining chairs are custom Roche Bobois, indicating her commitment to luxe contemporary design. That rich walnut table gives me a midcentury feeling...

Also like her black glass buffet, and those spiky crystal sconces....

Nice to have a balcony, even on a snowy, gray day!

Like most Boom Generation Canadians, there's the requisite life-long fascination with Elizabeth II....

Looking back toward the compact, moody kitchen, awash in luxurious marble...

Uh-oh, this end of it scares me! Highrise windows right to the ground are terrifying. She says she uses them to look down and see what people are wearing outside, so she knows what kind of weather to dress for, ha.

The living room continues the floor to ceiling windows, the eclectic art objects, and collectible modern furniture.

That's funny, it's MUCH more detailed and rich-looking in the video, than in the still pictures here....those little black bridge-looking things on the console table, are little vintage aquaduct models from Italy, or something like that...

I like the massive pillars, which at least give some illusion of "grounding" and not falling through the windows! But I also need some kind of low wall or even guardrails, (ack!) against those windows....

This is the little "lounge" area she created, which includes the cozy seating area with two white chairs under the Lou Reed tapestry ( see first image).

Snug guest bedroom, with dramatic lighting and art...

Elegant, arty master bedroom...

In the master, is the pop-arty Keith Haring, that she gave her husband for his "special" birthday--

Lacking wall space elsewhere, she handily uses her hallway to display her photography collection. The striking "blurred-in-motion" one at the far end of the hall is of model Linda Evangelista-- love that, reminds me of actress Jean Seberg or "pixie-cut-era" Mia Farrow...

Great office!

I think she said she was inspired by a room she saw in Rome. Love it all-- the combo of the gorgeous wood bookcase, with the silvery steel desk, the warm, tactile masks-- fabulous.

Does anybody know if highrises have perfected glass windows that are 100%, absolutely, positively, non-breakable? ( Asking for a friend .....)

Re: MODERN CITY CONDO

Janey2 — Wed, 08 Jan 2025 19:10:56 GMT

Too cluttered and too dark....do not care for her taste in pictures

Re: MODERN CITY CONDO

Mz iMac — Wed, 08 Jan 2025 19:51:47 GMT

@Oznell I have lived & worked in highrises most of my adult life. I raised my children in a highrise w/ceiling to wall windows.

In the Philadelphia & South Jersey areas the highrise windows are tempered glass and double to triple thick and would have to be hit with an extremely hard object twice to break right through......

BTW......From your photos that condo is over 20+ stories high. The owner would need binoculers and/or a telescope to see what people are wearing unless she's Supergirl in disquise.

EDIT to add....... I remember Eric Clapton lost his toddler son decades ago when he ran suddenly at a window, breaking it out and plunging to his death from a NYC highrise.

Re: MODERN CITY CONDO

We rescue cats — Wed, 08 Jan 2025 19:39:51 GMT

I keep looking but I just don't care for any of it, especially the large columns-I find them distracting. I don't like the windows either, I would not go near them as I've aged I seem to have developed acrophobia. One thing caught my interest....Bob Dylan!

Re: MODERN CITY CONDO

CANDLEQUEEN — Wed, 08 Jan 2025 19:52:35 GMT

I have a fear of heights, so I know I could never live in a high rise, this fear came to me later in life just a few years ago actually.

It is very different, cool looking for those who like this type of living-very interesting...

I had an Aunt and Uncle who lived in a high rise downtown Chicago for most of their life, and they loved it-it was so pretty and the views you could just sit and stare for hours......

I remember thinking then I am going to live in one of these when I grow up......lol......

Re: MODERN CITY CONDO

santorini — Wed, 08 Jan 2025 20:22:13 GMT

I lived in a highrise for 6 years. I can attest to the fact that windows DO break in rare situations. One of mine did after an extreme weather event. We had double panes so only the outside pane broke.

Re: MODERN CITY CONDO

Love my grandkids — Wed, 08 Jan 2025 20:22:24 GMT

@Oznell The whole thing is a huge no for me. Too cold, too cluttered and I hate black and white decor.

Re: MODERN CITY CONDO

lindapip — Wed, 08 Jan 2025 20:47:01 GMT

I think it's absolutely fascinating. I'm intrigued by the way each part, the art, paint, fabrics and furniture, fit together so cohesively. Is it a cozy, middle American house? No, so most folks probably won't like it. But this home looks like an accurate reflection of it's owner, very artsy and tasteful.

Thanks, Oznell, for this change of pace. (I too would be scared of the windows.)

Re: MODERN CITY CONDO

vermint — Wed, 08 Jan 2025 21:11:18 GMT

Not my personal taste, either---but I'd love to visit it! Never having lived in the city, I'm fascinated by city views from high-rise windows.

Re: MODERN CITY CONDO

haddon9 — Wed, 08 Jan 2025 21:18:43 GMT

@Oznell Have you seen videos of those new buildings right off of Central Park in NYC? .... The very tall & skinny buildings?!!! Talk about getting vertigo near the windows. One is called the Steinway Tower.

Some even have skinny balconies that appear to drop straight down from the railing. Not for me!!

Re: MODERN CITY CONDO

YanksFan — Wed, 08 Jan 2025 21:49:18 GMT

I love this. I would change a few of the photos (because they are of people for whom I do not care) but otherwise I love the vibe. I would certainly keep HMTQ. She is a great addition. The older I get the more simple black, white, and gray appeals to me. Thank you for posting.

Re: MODERN CITY CONDO

CarolinaGirl88 — Wed, 08 Jan 2025 22:26:03 GMT

If one is into city scapes, the views are cool. Everything about this, though, says office or hotel to me- not in any way "homey." Definitely not my cup of tea, but it's still fun to see different places and decorating styles.

Re: MODERN CITY CONDO

Desertdi — Wed, 08 Jan 2025 22:32:38 GMT

@CANDLEQUEEN wrote:
I have a fear of heights, so I know I could never live in a high rise, this fear came to me later in life just a few years ago actually.

It is very different, cool looking for those who like this type of living-very interesting...

I had an Aunt and Uncle who lived in a high rise downtown Chicago for most of their life, and they loved it-it was so pretty and the views you could just sit and stare for hours......

I remember thinking then I am going to live in one of these when I grow up......lol......

@CANDLEQUEEN

I "almost" rented an apartment at the Marina Towers...but the weird "pie-slice shaped" floor plan stopped me! di

Re: MODERN CITY CONDO

shoptilyadropagain — Thu, 09 Jan 2025 00:51:42 GMT

This is much more my style than most of the houses you post. I'd still remove some of the vintage decor from the condo along with most of the artwork as it looks to cluttered and I don't care for a lot of it. Thank you so much for posting a more contemporary home. 👏

Re: MODERN CITY CONDO

J Town Girl — Thu, 09 Jan 2025 04:38:43 GMT

After my father passed away my mother sold their home and moved into a high-rise She absolutely loved it. She was on the 17th floor and had a full view of the city below. But she did not have those floor to ceiling windows. They would have been unsettling to her.

I always thought it would be fun to live in a high-rise, but like my mom, those kind of windows would be a big "no" to me.

Re: MODERN CITY CONDO

Nonametoday — Thu, 09 Jan 2025 04:48:57 GMT

I don't like contemporary unless it is very minimalist and very clean. I think that is what makes it attractive. This is just one big tangled web. I see lots of things I like but I don't think they have been put together well. She is the first contemporary hoarder I have seen. ;-)

Re: MODERN CITY CONDO

Oznell — Thu, 09 Jan 2025 13:57:57 GMT

Oh, boy, @Mz iMac , that's quite a scenario! I wonder why in some cases you would have to bombard it TWICE. I suppose once to weaken it, and then the final breaking through.

How horrible about Eric Clapton's son-- I didn't realize he had broken through the window, as opposed to just falling out of an open one. The stuff of the most hideous nightmares, either way.

I've lived in a number of apartments, but none of the increasingly popular ones where the glass goes right to the floor-- that's what always freaks me. Like there's not even a tiny threshold keeping me back!

@santorini , that must have been harrowing! Thank goodness one of the panes held.

@haddon9 , I wouldn't dare look at those buildings!

@lindapip , you sum up perfectly my reaction to such dwellings. They're not "me", but I'm fascinated with the concept carried out so well, and so personally. She knows what she's doing, within her style. You get an immediate feeling that this is a person with a thoughtful and well-curated aesthetic.

@shoptilyadropagain , you're welcome. I'd post more contemporary spaces, if I could find more that have that personal, curated feeling @lindapip and I were talking about.

Online, at least, I haven't had good luck finding ones with a definable point of view-- many are stark, bland boxes with little indication of the felicitous individual likes and dislikes of the owner. But every once in awhile, one will grab me...

Re: MODERN CITY CONDO

wagirl — Thu, 09 Jan 2025 15:44:27 GMT

No-- that is just so dark --too dark--for me--not a fan of the artwork either. and then the lady is dressed just like her apt. A big no for me!!!

Re: MODERN CITY CONDO

faeriemoon — Thu, 09 Jan 2025 17:15:11 GMT

I love her decorating style, but don't care for her taste in artwork, nor do I care to be that high up.

I think the apartment is gorgeous (aside from most of the artwork and the elevation.)

Re: MODERN CITY CONDO

DREAMON — Thu, 09 Jan 2025 17:51:36 GMT

I think the dreary day is making the apartment appear darker than it actually is. I bet it's much brighter on a sunny day.

I like it. I even like the art ...not all of it but most of it.

I have black and white coastal art in my home and only purchase black and white art so it appeals to me.

The apartment reflects the owner and I think she did a great job designing as a reflection of herself.