In an increasingly…
digital world where face-to-face service is often replaced by automation, Living Beauty offers a refreshing counterpoint. The Canadian beauty brand’s first bricks-and-mortar location stands as a warm, tactile refuge, an inviting boutique-spa in Toronto’s Christie Pits neighborhood that prioritizes comfort, connection, and expert guidance.
Designed by…
local practice Odami, led by Arancha González Bernardo, a Spanish architect, and Michael Fohring, a Canadian designer, the space reflects the studio’s signature refined minimalism and gentle material palette. Inspired by the charm and intimacy of an old-fashioned apothecary, the boutique is a contemporary sanctuary rooted in timeless tradition.
The challenge at hand was to create an open, modern environment that simultaneously evokes a deep knowledge of the product while celebrating the storied history of the brand. Odami’s solution is a refined yet richly detailed interior, characterized by warm sandy tones, custom millwork, and fluted textures. These elements subtly echo the curved lines of the brand’s signature chic white cosmetic bottles.
At the heart…
of the space is a wraparound service bar – reminiscent of a traditional potion mixing station – crafted with Breccia Oniciata marble. This central hub is both luxurious and grounding, restoring personalized service to its rightful place and reinforcing Living Beauty’s care-focused ethos.
“The design of Living Beauty takes an interpretive and loose approach to referencing the past—from its dialogue with the heritage building it inhabits to the way it learns from the apothecary typology,” the designers explain. “While we wanted to bring forth what feels great about bygone spaces, we wanted to ensure the project still felt decidedly contemporary.”
Handcrafted…
arched display cabinets in powder-coated steel lend elegance and structure, while fluted plasterwork and seamless millwork create a delicate kind of strength through repetition and line. Terracotta floor tiles, long and narrow like piano keys, introduce rhythm and warmth underfoot. As the tiles draw the eye toward the central counter, they also guide movement, reinforcing a feeling of flow and discovery.
The floor patterns become more intricate near the treatment rooms, forming soft circular motifs that mark a transition from boutique to wellness space, subtly creating intrigue and a sense of privacy.
Accents…
like bespoke furnishings draw from the elegant reductivism of the Art Deco style, introducing bold, sculptural forms that provide a strong visual identity to the space. A sweeping metal-framed entrance sets the tone, while off-white Corian tables and built-in banquettes, upholstered in a soft duck egg green Knoll fabric, add structure, softness, and a touch of nostalgic color.
Discreet ceiling-mounted spotlight strips allow vintage statement sconces and chandeliers to take center stage, bringing a timeless, almost theatrical flair to the otherwise restrained interior.
Throughout, Odami’s meticulous attention to detail creates an experience that feels intuitive, luxurious, and inherently human.
Tap the look…
Design: Odami
Photography: John Alunan
Source: v2com
