BACK STORY
Sylvia Hoppner has a flair for all things stylish. She leans towards finer details and elegance with an easy appreciation for classic style. Sylvia started in the fashion world working at the Ralph Lauren store in the ByWard Market in the mid to late-1980s, and eventually transitioned to interior design. She worked in commercial design for sixteen years focusing on retirement home projects, and has recently made the shift to residential work to include cottages as well as primary residences.
A year-and-a-half ago, she purchased a town home on a funky street that appealed to her current empty-nest lifestyle. “I wanted to enjoy a more pedestrian-friendly neighbourhood, so I bought a post build from Timberville in Westboro that appealed to me because of its classic dark oak floors with modern finishings. It was rare to find a place with such attention to detail and similar design sensibilities to mine,” she says of her home.
PERSONAL STYLE
Sylvia describes her style as contemporary-traditional. She loves to mix modern elements with treasured keepsakes, like the brass coffee table in her living room that she picked out for her parents when she was 16 years old, and has since had refinished for her own place. “I believe houses become homes because they have soul. This is best achieved with a mix of well-loved pieces and new finds,” says the zealous designer.
Sylvia’s Tips for Living Beautifully
- Original artwork doesn’t have to be expensive, but offers so much personality and soul
- Fresh flowers are inviting and infuse the home with fragrance
- Beautifully-framed photos of family and friends on side tables or shelves add personality
- Neutral walls create a backdrop for pops of colour through fabric and accessories. Sherwin Williams Eider White SW 7014 is a favourite
- A mix of fabrics and textures that are beautiful to look at and wonderful to touch to add richness to the space
Contact Sylvia: sylvia@sfhdesign.com
Mary Taggart
