Designer Shai DeLuca’s Favourite Room

Shai DeLuca, founder and president of Shai DeLuca Interior Design in Toronto, has been sharing his distinctive design sense for more than a decade on CityTV’s Cityline. With the mantra, “Life is in the details, style accordingly,” DeLuca has brought a classic yet contemporary vibe to the spaces of his residential and commercial clients and viewers alike. See how his philosophy translates to his own home.

By Laura Bickle | 2 minute read

Apr 21

“The living room is the heart of our home — the space where my husband, Ricky, and I like to unwind at the end of the day.”

– Shai DeLuca

What and where is your favourite room?

The living room in our 700-square-foot Toronto condo.

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What was the inspiration behind creating the room?

The living room is the heart of our home — the space where my husband, Ricky, and I like to unwind at the end of the day, as well as where we enjoy entertaining our family and friends. So I wanted to create a warm and inviting space — a classically timeless space — but also one that celebrates our blended cultures and backgrounds.

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What were the challenges in creating the room?

Since the condo is open-concept, the design needed to work well with the rest of the floor plan while still being visually delineated. This space achieves this with the use of area rugs and strategic furniture placement to create a visual boundary within the larger area.

Shai’s condo living room uses a neutral colour palette and accent pieces that highlight his and his spouse’s heritage. Photo: Shai DeLuca

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What are your favourite features of the room?

I love the peppering of cultural details throughout in thoughtful ways, personalizing the space for Ricky and me, but not deterring from the cohesive overall design. For example, the introduction of Aztec art in a neutral palette celebrates my husband’s heritage and curated Jewish history books in the same colour scheme as coffee table books pay homage to my cultural history.

How does this room make you feel?

It makes me feel like I’m home.

Describe a favourite moment in this room?

My favourite moment is a recurring one. It’s the moment we return home at the end of the day, kick off our shoes, pour a glass of rosé and enjoy our little family.